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Posted 13 years ago
markg
(42 items)
I have had this chair for some time and and am still curious as to what it is. It is in great original shape. I have tried looking it up on the internet, to no avail. I can't seem to find another one like it, though I am sure there are some. Could someone identify it or tell me what to call it, so that I can Google it? I thought it was a victorian rocker, but that produces nothing like it in the search bar. Thanks in advance. MG
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What a gret chair! I hope it is usable condition!
You have a Victorian Wicker Platform Rocker
http://www.polyvore.com/victorian_wicker_platform_rocker/thing?id=14078785
Platform rocker. got it and thanks........
Your mystery is solved! Read on.
Platform rockers were quite popular in Victorian times. I believe that they were made almost exclusively in the US.
As opposed to the standard rocking chair, also sometimes called "rug cutters", these platform rockers moved on a stationary base using a spring mechanism of one type or another so they were kinder to floors, rugs and long tailed cats and dogs.
As is typical of the Victorians, platform rockers could be made from any number of materials, styles, be upholstered or not. For example, I've posted a "lollipop" platform rocker by George Hunzinger.
Wicker was a very popular choice for furniture of all sorts, including platform rockers. Wicker furniture was not just considered porch or solarium furniture.
There were a number of makers of wicker furniture. Heywood Brothers, then Heywood-Wakefield of Gardner, MA was one of the best known producers. Your platform rocker was undoubtedly made by another company that made wicker furniture contemporaneously with the aforementioned firm, A.H. Ordway and Company of S. Framingham, MA. It dates from the 1890's.
Ordway made some wonderful pieces. I have a platform rocker by them with a wild lyre-form back! If I have a chance, I will try to post it.
Check your chair carefully on the underside for a paper label. Mine still has one. Sometimes you must look very closely as the label can turn dark like the chair and may be hard to see. Also, these labels fell off or crumbled leaving only a partial one.
Your chair appears to survive in very nice condition. Got to love those wicker cat tails flanking the upper part of the back! The natural surface of your chair is correct, original and to be cherished as so much wicker was slathered with layers of white paint. Never paint it nor refinish it.
Alas, as with many antiques, wicker is not nearly as "hot" as it was just some years ago. However, this is special and I think would still be a sought after piece especially as it looks pretty "right" and is quite decorative.
Enjoy your A.H. Ordway and Co. wicker platform rocker from the 1890's!
Groveland.
I have one exactly like yours that I recently purchased at an estate sale. It has original label on bottom side and the rocker is in excellent + shape. Label reads made by A H Ordway & Co. , Framingham, Mass. Pat. date April 23 1890 - May 23, 1893. Label also reads "Beware of infringements and spurious imitations." I have seen several listed as Haywood Wakefield out there in internet La La land but yours is a A H Ordway Co. Great Rocker!!! Good luck