Boylston Antiques is Proud to Offer for Sale

A Classic Boston Rocker with Black Paint & Gold Fruit & Flora Stenciling C. 1840’s

A classic example of a chair known as a “Boston Rocker”. Chair is black painted with gold stenciling of a footed bowl of fruit surrounded by grape leaves and floral representations.

Acanthus leaf scrolls decorate the left and right crest rail edges. The classic shape of the top rail and the acanthus leaf design indicate a date of about 1840. The stenciling appears fairly vibrant and may have been restored.

Wallace Nuttings’s Furniture Treasury has a photograph of a very similar Boston Rocker on plate # 2467. The book cover & page are reproduced below.

• The wide top crest rail has the distinctive curves on either side with a stenciled design composed of a footed bowl filled with fruit, ornamented with classical gold floral and grape leaf arabesque stenciling. Acanthus leaves are scrolled on either edge of the top rail.

• There are 6 spindles in the back and one under each arm.

• The “rolling” seat is curved up at the back and down at the front. The back curve is ornamented with classical stylized floral and leaf stencils, surrounded by a gold line. The front curve is ornamented on either side with gold leaf-form stencils.

• The arms are nicely curved to match the curve of the seat; they are left unpainted to display the wood-grain and stained.

• The front and rear stiles are pegged through the seat, as in the true Windsor chair.

• The front stile is pegged up through the arm, while the rear of the arm is pegged back through the rear stile.

• The front legs and front stretcher are turned, with gold paint highlighting the turned ring.

• The crest rail height is 39 1/4” from the floor.
• The seat sits approx. 15 1/2” from the floor.
• The seat width is approx. 19 1/2”.
• The seat depth is approx. 17”.
• The crest rail width at the top is 24 1/4”.

• The length of the rockers are 28”.

This chair is in as found condition. The surface patina is nicked and worn, as expected in a chair approaching 170 years of age. The chair is in remarkably sturdy shape, with no movement or wobble. It appears that the left arm was repaired at some point, as there is a hairline crack evident near the rear post or stile (see photo).
This chair may be picked up in Boylston, MA.
Chair may be delivered within approx. 100 miles of Boylston, MA. Email for delivery quote.
If you need the chair shipped, email for quotes.
All items are sold "as is". These are antique pieces of furniture; small nicks and scratches are part of the beauty of an antique and are not described unless significant.
Please ask any questions prior to offering to buy.

Antique Furniture
Antique Chairs