Antique Rocking Chairs Are The Best To RelaxA rocking chair has two curved bands of wood attached to the bottom of two legs together. The arrangement allows only two points of contact thus enabling the chair to rock to and fro. This piece of furniture is mainly for relaxing, catering to sick or older persons. However, its use is more enjoyed by all outdoors. Indoors, this chair has to be kept away from young ones, as they are capable of crushing feet at times. This fear apart, this Rocking Chair is a piece of cherished furniture in every home. Where did this rocking chair originate? Some American myths credit Benjamin Franklin with its discovery. However, this seems too incredible for there is no indication towards this. Yet one does agree that the rocking chair originated either in America or England. Its date of origin is very old, and every rocking chair can be aptly called an antique rocking chair. The first antique rocking chair was supposed to have been produced by Duncan Phyphe in New York City. The early days seem to have seen many types of rocking chairs. The foremost among them was probably the Swedish Gungstol. Six legged gungstols were made in the later part of the nineteenth century. Later the early twentieth century saw, more of four legged gungstols in use. England boasts of the earliest usage of rocking chairs, as early as the eighteenth century. These chairs which have a bow spindle back have their origin in the Windsor castle. These chairs are known for their back frame which is bent and molded like a hoop and the legs that are splayed and pegged to the seat. They are generally painted in green or black color and are used in lawns. Sometimes they were left unfinished too. Eventually, The antique rocking chair, evolved with many versions. Different kinds of wood and colors were being used. Some names to be mentioned are, the birdcage, arrow back and the com back. Wicker Rockers is one antique rocking chair that needs special mention. Flexible willow has been in use in Europe for making baskets and giving wicker furnishings since the age of Roman Empire. The first piece of wicker antique rocking chair can be traced back to the 1st century A.D. England. However, it was developed and promoted by America. The Adirondack rocking chair is best cited for its antiquity. Tree art came to United States by way of England, and was highly popular in the middle of nineteenth century. Appalachian craftsmen used different techniques to use this tree to form comfortable Rocking Chairs. Having had an overview of the origin and varieties of a antique rocking chair, let us view this piece of antique furniture from a different plane. The word 'rocking' should have cradled many of us with affection by now. Understandably, the antique rocking chair is the second mother to all when tired. One can cherish besides owning of all inventions that have been made over the centuries, the rocking chair is one piece that makes a built house a 'home'. What more can one cherish besides owning an antique rocking chair. Every time one sits on it? One feels his grandmother rocking him to bed with a story or lullaby. Whatever be his age, when one rocks on a chair he looks vaguely, like an alien life-form, from loosest in space. It is a great way to relax and enjoy beautiful outdoors, rocking chairs are ergonomic and don't stress the person sitting on it. Added to this if the piece is antique and crafted well, it caters to the aesthetic sense of a person too. Behold! One act of sitting can work wonders of long relaxing techniques. Family vacations and fishing outings would be incomplete without them. More than for a person alone, the rocking chair is most suited for a group. The happiness of one person sitting on it radiates and makes the get-together, a pleasurable one. Nowadays, rocking chairs have come out in many safe versions for use by kids and pets too!! All said about the old ones, What's new now? Designer Mathias Koehler, has come up with his rocking wheel chair with an overhead light for reading. It encompasses the modern styles. Though scary in the literal sense, it sits up to the admiration of today's youth. President John F Kennedy's rocking chair can be got at Heritage Auction Galleries. Southern enterprises, Creation galleries are some names to look for in this field To end up this birds eye view of the great piece of furniture, the antique rocking chair we must acknowledge is being neglected these days. We all must wake up to the fact that the rocking chair in an invaluable piece to every home. Blessed are those who can bask in its arms every day. So we hope we will revive an era, where every home is de-stressed, with a rocking chair. |