Identifying Antique Rocking Chairs: Styles, Dates, & Values

Identifying antique rocking chairs is difficult, but researching the unique characteristics of various styles and eras can help. Explore the types of old rocking chairs and identification markers like manufacturer marks to identify and value your antique rocking chair. True antique rocking chair values range from $100 to $3,500 or more depending on the style and condition, so it's pretty important to know what you have. We're here to help with tons of tips.

Chart of Antique Rocking Chair Styles and Values

Some antique rocking chair styles are more valuable than others. Keep these value ranges in mind as you identify your chair.

Find the Manufacturer's Mark on a Rocking Chair

Finding the maker's mark or manufacturer's mark on an old rocking chair can be a challenge. It wasn't until the 18th century that maker's marks or manufacturer's marks became the norm, so don't stress if you don't find a sticker or identifier. If you can identify the furniture mark, however, it can give you most of the information you'll need to tell if the chair is old.

What Type of Mark to Look For

The manufacturer's mark on an old rocking chair could be on a label with the information written in pencil or pen and the label pasted to the chair. A branded or stamped maker's mark is also fairly common. Look for any type of marking that features words, numbers, or a combination of letters and numbers. You could see things like the company name or the year it was made. Finding a year on the mark is the easiest way to tell if the chair is old.

Where to Look for the Mark

The maker's mark on rocking chairs is most often found on the underside of the chair's seat. You could also find the mark on the back of the chair back or on a spindle. If you don't find a mark in these places, inspect the whole chair, but be aware the tag might just be missing.

Identify the Age of a Rocking Chair Through Materials

No mark? Don't worry. Knowing how to tell how old a rocking chair is can help you identify the chair as much as a maker's mark can. Everything from the material and finish to the style can give you clues about a rocking chair's age.

Identify the Type of Wood

Wood is the most commonly used material for old rocking chairs because things like plastic weren't invented yet. While almost any wood could be used today, the type of wood your old chair is made up can be one clue in solving your puzzle. Most antique rocking chairs you find will be traditional English or Colonial American.

• From the Middle Ages to the 1800s, oak was the most common type of wood used abroad, but walnut and mahogany became popular in the late 1600s.
• Walnut became popular in the late 1600s in Europe, but its popularity waned there in the mid-1700s.
• In the early 1600s and 1700s, colonial American furniture was made from American hardwoods like oak, walnut, birch, and maple. This continued for centuries.
• Mahogany became a popular choice in the mid-1700s and stayed popular in England and America through the mid-1800s.

Identify the Finish

Wooden rocking chairs often have a finishing coat to help protect the wood. The finish can tell you about the date of your chair.

• The finish on furniture made before 1860 is typically shellac.
• Shellac in good condition will have a deep glossy shine and is applied in thin layers.
• Lacquer and varnish weren't invented until the mid-1800s.
• Lacquer in good condition is less shiny than shellac and is applied much thicker.
• Old varnish will often start to flake off, giving away its identity.
• Oil, wax, and milk paint finishes are also an indicator of very old age.
• A light shine and visible clumps of wax mean it has a wax finish.

Identify How the Chair Was Produced

There is no surefire way to tell if a chair is old just by looking at it, but if you examine the wood and the joints, you might be able to tell if the chair was handmade or machine-made. Keep in mind that modern craftsmen can still use old techniques, so you need to look at the chair as a whole to determine its age.

• If matching elements, like the two armrests or two rockers, appear to have slight size differences, this indicates they were handmade.
• Handmade joints will be made using glue and pegs, which gives them a rougher look, while modern joints will look clean and smooth.
• Early nails are square and don't look perfect, so if your chair features this type of nail, it could be a true antique.
• Machine-made nails and screws weren't made until the mid-1800s, so their presence can indicate modernity.

Recognize Upholstered Rockers

Leather, silk damask, and wool moreen were the main chair upholstery materials used. Upholstered rockers were popular Victorian-era chairs because it wasn't until this time that fabrics could be mass-produced and coil springs were invented. Upholstered rockers are sometimes called Lincoln rockers because President Abraham Lincoln was sitting in one the night he was assassinated at Ford's theater.

Related: Beautiful Victorian Chair Types & Value Identification

Identify Types and Styles of Antique Rocking Chairs

When it comes to antique rocking chairs, the style of the chair could be your biggest clue in finding the manufacturer if there's no maker's mark or tag. Even though there are so many styles of antique rocking chairs that it's impossible to cover them all at once, we've got some of the most important ones covered. Explore some of the most common and popular antique rocking chair types to get started.

Bentwood Rocker

The bentwood Thonet rocking chair was introduced in the mid-1800s in Austria by Michael Thonet and the Thonet Brothers Manufacturers. There were many variations on this chair design, but it was always made with steamed beech wood bent into a variety of swirls. Thonet rockers are lightweight and often feature cane seats and backs. In good condition, they sell for about $100 to $250 depending on the style.

Boston Rocker

Despite the name, Boston rockers were actually made in Connecticut. Boston rockers were traditionally made of oak and pine, painted black, and embellished with fruit and flower designs. They have a scrolled seat, spindled back, and a rolling headpiece. The Boston rocker was most popular from 1830 to 1890, and Lambert Hitchcock was one of the premier manufacturers. Depending on the condition and the exact style, these are worth anywhere from $250 to $750.

Folding Rocking Chair

Folding rocking chairs were popular starting in the 1870s. They come in a variety of styles but are recognized by their ability to fold the back down to the seat. Folding rocking chairs sell for around $100-$200, depending on the style and age.

Jenny Lind Children's Rocker

Jenny Lind furniture was named after a popular Swedish opera singer in the late 1850s. More accurately known as spool-turned, the style is easy to identify by the turned spindles on the back, legs, and crossbars. This Jenny Lind style of rocking chair is often used for baby and children's furniture. Sellers often ask less than $100, so you can assume these aren't very valuable.

Ladderback Rocker

The classic ladderback rocker is what many people think of when they think of a country rocking chair. It is easy to recognize with its tall back and horizontal slat design. Values vary based on style, age, and condition, but these often sell for under $100.

Mission Style Rockers

Mission rockers usually had upholstered seats and sturdy backs and arms. The Mission style is simple, squared off, and squat. They were simple yet elegant, made without carving or decoration. You will often see a Mission rocker with leather upholstery. This is a very masculine style of chair and is fabulous in an Arts and Crafts style home. A Charles Stickley mission-style rocking chair is more valuable than other brands, but this type of rocker ranges in value from about $150 to $1,000 or more.

Platform Rockers

Platform rockers are chairs that have seats that rock while the base remains stationary. These solved several problems of the regular rocker, including the chair creeping across the floor as it was rocked. It had springs that allowed movement. Similar to the platform rocker is the glider rocker, patented in 1888. Platform rockers like a Dexter chair are only worth about $125 to $275.

Pressed Back Rocker

The pressed back rocking chair was part of the colonial revival style that lasted from about 1870-1920. You can easily identify this style by the raised design of the wood on the back. Beware of reproductions, as this style became popular again in the 1980s. Originals can be valuable, though, often selling for $250 to $500.

Sewing Rocker

This small chair is a ladies' sewing rocker, sometimes called a nursing rocker or slipper rocking chair. The chair is always bigger than child-size but smaller than a full-size rocker would be. The lack of arms allowed the lady of the house to easily nurse an infant or sew a shirt while she rocked. These are utilitarian chairs, usually simple and made from pine. A sewing rocker in good condition can sell for between $50 and $150.

Wicker Rocking Chair

You might come across the term synthetic fibers when looking into antique wicker rocking chairs. Wicker has been used since Roman times to create furniture and was popular as early as the middle of the 1700s in the United States. Victorians perfected the design and loved wicker because it allowed them to have all the scrollwork and details their hearts desired. It is also important to take notice of the designs woven into wicker rocking chairs. For instance, star-shaped or heart-shaped patterns, as well as figures such as boats, make them more desirable. Wicker rocking chairs that are genuine antiques can be worth $50 to $350.

Windsor Rocking Chair

From the early 1700s to the early 1800s, Windsor chairs were in widespread use in rural parts of England. They were known as garden chairs. They were introduced to America in the 1720s. Originally, they were made by attaching rockers to a standard Windsor chair. Windsor rocking chairs have spindles running down their backs and armrests, and if they have rockers, their legs are fitted into them. The Windsor style was used by many manufacturers, so values vary from around $100 for a standard chair to about $700 for those from high-end manufacturers.

Consider a Professional Opinion About Value

If you suspect you might have a valuable antique rocking chair, it's a good idea to get a little more info about it. As with most antiques, your best option for identifying and finding the value of your antique rocking chair is to consult an expert.

Antique furniture appraisals by chair experts and rocking chair experts or experts on the style of furniture you have are ideal. Local auction houses and antique stores are great places to find an appraiser, but you can also get free antiques appraisals online through expert websites and marketplaces.

Quick Tips for Caring for Your Antique Furniture

Whether you just acquired that antique rocking chair from the thrift shop or you've had it in your family for generations, it probably needs a little TLC. Unlike some types of antique furniture, older rocking chairs don't typically need to be handled with a lot of delicacy. In fact, as long as their pieces are still tightly joined and there's been no rotting, you can still take your chair for an afternoon spin.

That said, if you want to ensure that your chair stays in tip-top shape for the next hundred years, there are a few maintenance and caring steps you shouldn't skimp on:

• Keep the chairs out of direct sunlight and heat.
• Keep the chairs out of the wet and damp.
• About once a week, wipe down your chairs with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris.
• Depending on the amount of use, every few weeks, you should nourish your chairs with a good wood oil and polish.

Get to Know the History of Your Rocking Chair

Rocking chairs are more than furniture. They've been part of our way of life, especially for Americans. People rock babies in them or sit on the porch chatting with friends. Even though old rocking chair identification can be difficult, it's worth getting to know the history of your chair.