With our highest compliments Bay Colony Antique proudly offers this truly wonderful late 19th century American Shaker rocking chair. During the middle of the 18th century, a religious group known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing began producing furniture for their own communities. This religious group became referred to as "The Shakers", or shaking quakers, after outside observations made of their practices in worship. The market for American Shaker furniture made throughout their various communities across the country remains as popular as ever with examples coming to market continually shattering previous record high prices. Certain collectors seek out Shaker antiques as investment grade purchases while others simply cherish the superiority of the uniquely American hand forged craftsmanship every Shaker object imbues. No matter the reason, the Shaker Antique market has proven to be among the wisest investment avenues in the Antique industry for the past half century.
This exceptional rocking chair is a product of the Mt. Lebanon, NY Shaker community during the later part of the 19th century. The #5 is punched into the backside of the uppermost horizontal slat as to identify the format of this chair against different formats of various Shaker rocking chairs. Additionally, the Shaker trademark is stencil pressed into the back of the lowest slat identifying it as a Mt. Lebanon, NY chair and features a rocking chair icon in the center of the decal. The chair has retained the original varnish finish which has oxidized wonderfully resulting in a blackened color with near purple hues as undertones. The seat has a strong and well woven rush seat which is in excellent condition. It is common to find these chairs with splint woven seats or "tape seats" woven from fabric. The chair features acorn turned finials, four curved slat-back supports, and styled mushroom cap arms. The frame of the chair is quite strong with double stretcher supports in the front and on each side. The rocker blades are well fixed to the chair and unlike most antique rockers this chair is well suited for regular use. This chair measures 21 1/2" wide x 28" deep at the rocker blades x 38" tall overall with a seat height of 15" from the ground.
