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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: kq.echo.13 on January 05, 2014, 07:24:40 pm

Title: antique rocking chair
Post by: kq.echo.13 on January 05, 2014, 07:24:40 pm
(http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b618/kqecho13/124fe97c-de70-4792-abd8-b894f6b4a902_zps3b4806a2.jpg)(http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b618/kqecho13/ea6382e6-c69a-4718-8082-b765f0bc75ff_zps8dfee6f5.jpg)(http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b618/kqecho13/44a63ad0-0dd2-4b6c-a4a6-f5e662e42264_zpsec8ffa1e.jpg)
mid 1700-early 1800 spindle rocker, unsure of original origins thinking of restoring any suggestions on where to start looking for restoration information or is it not even worth restoring, any info would be helpful, still researching chair.  thanks
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: mart on January 05, 2014, 07:46:33 pm
Where are you located ?? UK ??
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: Rauville on January 05, 2014, 08:31:52 pm
Have you looked it over closely for a maker's name? (George Hunzinger comes to mind.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261326017548&item=261326017548&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=261326017548&item=261326017548&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466)
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: greenacres on January 05, 2014, 08:41:49 pm
Nice rockers!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: KC on January 06, 2014, 06:50:12 pm
Beautiful old barley twist rocking chair!  The curves on this one make it unique.

Look for any markings, unusual marks on this piece and if you find any please post a picture of them along with a description!

Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: kq.echo.13 on January 06, 2014, 07:09:20 pm
we are in Georgia, USA, thank you for all the information to continue researching the rocker.  we have been very curious as to the origins of this rocker.  we will look for any markings and keep you all posted.   
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: KC on January 06, 2014, 07:57:19 pm
Was just in your neck of the woods recently!  Vidalia onions!!!!!  Yummmmm!!!!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: bigwull on January 07, 2014, 04:30:54 am
The classic sweet vinegar pickling onion...Avril loves them......When Avril was pregnant, with Jamie...she went hrough jars of em....thankfully i did,nt know her at that time.... ;D
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: mart on January 07, 2014, 07:00:23 am
Could be Hunzingers work but if so his would be stamped !!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: KC on January 07, 2014, 10:30:58 am
That is what I was thinking as well Mart.  He definitely marked his items.  Because he made such wonderful pieces he was copied often during that time period.  If you look at items for sell they will tout that they are Hunzingers' without any markings...Not!

Irregardless, looks like the late 1800's and a beautiful piece of work. 

If it isn't marked, another fine maker of pieces at this time were the Merklen Brothers.  They also made fine furniture!
(http://rarevictorian.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Merklen-Brothers-Ad.jpg)
http://rarevictorian.com/2010/12/spiral-furniture-often-not-hunzinger.html (http://rarevictorian.com/2010/12/spiral-furniture-often-not-hunzinger.html)

A site I like to peruse that may be of use to you is rarevictorian!  It is full of information.  You could most likely post it on their forum for further information.  If you find out any more please let us know here!!!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: mart on January 07, 2014, 02:45:46 pm
My feeling is that this is a look-a-like piece !! The spindles on top are a bit wrong and it just doesn`t look like the quality one would expect !! Thought possible it came in the 70`s with all those that shipped over but the twist on the rails is much tighter than most of those !! I would call it part of the Gothic Revival after 1860 or so !! But can`t see it well enough to be sure !! Just gives me that feeling !!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on January 08, 2014, 01:37:05 pm
I would not restore, only reupholster. Removing the patina removes it's history and I believe in this case would devalue it, but maybe others with more furniture experience can comment on that. To me, the scuffs and bumps tell a story and the deep dark patina is more beautiful than any stain. They are functional and lovely just as they are!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: mart on January 08, 2014, 04:02:56 pm
Needs that stretcher repaired but I agree on the refinishing !! On most items the original finish should be kept !!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: ejones76 on January 08, 2014, 07:46:03 pm
I agree with talesofthesevenseas the patina of the chairs helps in value and in looks. You might go to a antique shop near where you live they might know some one in your area that can help with repairs. That's what I did when I had to get my rocking chair re-caned.
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: kq.echo.13 on January 10, 2014, 07:30:03 pm
we will definitely keep the original patina, we want to keep it as original as possible.  Will look into finding someone that can repair and reupholster without losing the original finish of the chair.  Thanks to all that have replied .....
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: mart on January 10, 2014, 07:46:45 pm
The old varnish is nothing to worry about,, its the patina of the wood itself that needs to remain !!  Many times the old varnish will crystalize and darken and that does not help its appeal or value !! Just get someone that knows  what they are doing to repair it !! And don`t let them sand it at all !! There are ways to clean & restore it that will not damage it !! Its no huge value but still an interesting chair !!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: cogar on January 11, 2014, 04:54:45 am
Quote
Mart said:  There are ways to clean & restore it that will not damage it


You can clean it with Murphy's Oil Soap.

Just the wood, not the upholstry. ;D ;D
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: mart on January 11, 2014, 05:29:55 am
True if its just dust, dirt and yearly grunge Murphy`s does a good job !! But if the varnish has crystalized and darkened as some of it does it will need a little more !!
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: cogar on January 11, 2014, 12:31:23 pm
Maybe like that Formby's "stuff" that someone mentioned a while back?
Title: Re: antique rocking chair
Post by: mart on January 11, 2014, 02:23:30 pm
Formby`s is a bit expensive !! I just get a gallon of denatured alcohol and 0000 steel wool and do the same thing cheaper !!