Rocking Chair

Furniture

Vermont Historical Society

Name/Title

Rocking Chair

Entry/Object ID

2025.37.1

Description

Birdseye maple rocking chair. The chair has a molded panel headrest with a scrollwork back and rounded sides. Two round turned posts extend from the outer edges of the back down into the plank seat. A medical backrest extends between the side rails and holds the top edge of four turned and carved spindles. The armrests are each supported by three turned and carved spindles, and the front edge of the plank seat has a rolled edge. The chair rests on four turned legs with stretchers between and two rocker feet. There are newspaper remnants adhered to the back edges of the seat.

Context

Attributed to the workshop of Henry F. Dewey (1800-1882) of Bennington, Vermont. The Bennington Museum, which has two similar chairs attributed to Henry Dewer offers the following information about him: "Dewey was a prolific chairmaker known to have been working from 1827 until 1841, both alone and in partnership with a man named Woodworth. Although the overall shape of this chair is similar to the "Boston Rocker" popular during the second quarter of the 19th century, Dewey's distinctive style can be seen in the concave front stretcher, wide, flat arms and crest rail, and the purposeful mixture of variously grained pieces of local maple." Source: https://bennington.pastperfectonline.com/Search?search_criteria=Henry+and+dewey+and+chair&onlyimages=false

Acquisition

Accession

2025.37

Source or Donor

Duane Merrill and Company

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Furniture Details

Furniture Type

Chair - Rocker

Made/Created

Date made

1820 - 1840

Place

City

Bennington

County

Bennington County

State/Province

Vermont

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Dimensions

Height

43 in

Width

19-1/4 in

Depth

29 in

Material

Maple

Relationships

Related Places