Posted 12 years ago
catherinep…
(1 item)
Can anyone tell me anything about this chair? It is in fabulous condition, all wood, original leather seat and back, no nails or screws, with exception of where the springs are attached. Rollers on bottom of front two legs. Solid and rocks beautifully. Hand carved design on front of legs and base of chair.
What a great old platform rocker. (The story goes that they were originally designed to rock smoothly on uneven plank floors.. won't swear to that, but I've always heard it.) I have a friend that is in her mid 70's that is from Ostfriesland, Germany that has one made almost exactly like this one! It belonged to her mother. I don't know if it came from Germany or if it was acquired after they immigrated in the early 30's. Do you think that the rollers are original or perhaps added later as replacements for broken feet or bad wood on the front? Are the rollers wooden or metal? Hers has the same arm, back and seat design but is covered in a tapestry/needlepoint fabric and has no rollers. Next time I talk to her, I'll try to remember to ask her where and when her mother might have gotten it. Thanks for sharing your rocker!
Thanks for responding. It's so nice to know potential history about my chair. The rollers are definitely original and they are inlaid into the wood so only the roller, itself, can be seen. This chair is in amazing condition. If I am able to post an additional picture I will take a close up of the rollers. If/when you know more, please share. Thank you.
You're quite welcome, catherinepaige! I honestly don't know if hers has the inset rollers, but I'll ask when I talk to her. I will try to call her tomorrow evening sometime and see what I can find out for you. One thing I know, thought her chair is in excellent condition and quite sound, she NEVER lets ANYONE sit in it! EVER. The little carvings on the front platform edge reminds me a bit of Eastlake, but Eastlake has never been my forté. Just thought you might want to google that and see if you find any images that come close. But I promise, I'll let you know as soon as I talk to her! :-)
Hi again catherinepaige! I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with my friend. (keep in mind she'll be 78 in a few months)
Here's what she had to say.
"The first place we were placed when we arrived here after leaving Germany was a farm in White Plains, NY. We lived in one of several small houses on the farm. (they were Jewish immigrants that just barely made it out of Germany before things got too horrible with only the most basic personal items and had to have 'sponsors'.. they were essentially cheap labor) Dad found it in an outbuilding on that farm. Her mother asked their sponsor about it and she was told if she wanted any of the old furniture in any of the buildings or barns, she could have it for their home. She was told it had been in the building since the owners had purchased the farm in the 1890's and they had no use for any of the 'trash'. My mom always loved that chair since it was one of the first pieces of furniture we had in the house when we arrived in the States."
My friend has cherished this chair because of it's history and meaning to her mother. It also has rollers on the front legs, but they aren't actually inlaid like yours. It also lacks the small carvings on those legs, but other than that, it's pretty much the same chair. This story would most likely make hers no newer than 1885 or probably older. Hope this gives you something to go on. My friend was excited that I had seen one like it and she wanted to know all about it. *LOL* Best of luck in your search! :-)
Your wonderful story makes my chair even more dear to me. Thank you so much for taking your time to share all of this with me. Please tell your friend her sttory touched my heart. CP
I have one pretty close to the same as yours. In looking it over I found in the metal the year 1876, can't make out any of the other on it. I know I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it, and after reading the story from chinablue love it that much more. Great to know a little history on these old pieces makes them come back to life!