How can you tell if a rocking chair is an antique?
When trying to discern if your rocking chair is an antique, look for the hallmarks of old furniture such as steadfast joints, irregularities in the woodwork, and multiple types of wood. While there are no set-in-stone rules for determining if your rocking chair is an antique, assessing its joints, and irregularities in its form and wood composition can provide enlightening context. Because antique rocking chairs were not made by machines, but by hand, flaws and inconsistencies were common. While these flaws may have been a detraction at some point, today they are revered for the character and antiquity they lend to a piece. When it comes to rocking chairs specifically, first look for variation in the rocker treads or spindles. Since every chair incorporates multiple units of these pieces, it can be easy to identify inconsistencies. These are also areas where the craftsperson may have employed different types of wood. Since materials were not as plentiful in decades past, many times artisans would switch woods halfway through a design. Lastly, look for strong joints. In decades prior, solid joints were a particular point of pride for craftspeople and considered an absolute necessity.
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Lead photo by Brad Knipstein
