Child's Bentwood Rocking Chair
Decorative Arts and Design
MEDIUM
Ebonized bentwood, original upholstery
DATES
ca. 1885
DIMENSIONS
28 1/8 x 14 x 25 1/4 in. (71.4 x 35.6 x 64.1 cm)
(show scale)
MARKINGS
no marks
SIGNATURE
Unsigned
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
1989.60.2
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Joseph V. Garry
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1989, provenance not yet documented; by 1989, acquired by Joseph V. Garry of New York, NY; 1989, gift of Joseph v. Garry to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Frame: a. Materials: Bentwood, b. Finish: Ebonized with gold stenciling; III. Upholstery: a. Cover: Brussels carpet, b. Trim: Gimped galloon with supplementary warps; c. Structure: One panel slung seat; textile only, I. Webbing: None, ii. Springs: None, iii. Edges: None, IV. Cake: None.
(Mellon Project, 1997): TEXTILE: Cover and trim are the only textiles. Seat is a Brussels carpet fragment of black, red, gold, blue, green wool uncut pile in a floral pattern. Symmetrical floral design. TRIM: Cross-reference trim on 1991.199 Folding Armchair and 1990.203 Folding Armchair. Inexpensive cotton gimped galloon with supplementary warps. One cone shaped brass tack in corner-probably not original. FRAME: Ebonized bentwood rocking chair with machine-made carpet textile seat. The back is composed of two opposed elongated bent C-shaped round elements attached to the gently curved back stiles. A thin, centered, elongated, inverted U-shape round member arches above the opposed C-shape back, passes through the tops of the C's and terminates in the lower curve of the C's. The bent arms are attached to the front of the back stiles and the set on the two gently curved runners. There are two round cross stretchers at the front of the runners, one in the center, and one towards the back. A pair of cross stretchers support the rounded-corner square seat frame between the scrolling arms; the front of the back elements and the front of the top back stiles are decorated with painted gold lines and leaves. FINISH: Ebonized with gilded stencil. INTERPRETATION: Very inexpensive upholstery, thus poor quality trim, could be period/original. Cone-shaped tack is later effort to stabilize trim. ELEMENTS OF UPHOLSTERY THAT APPEAR TO BE ORIGINAL: Carpet seat and possibly trim.
(Mellon Project, 1997): General Condition: Fair, general surface soils and wear throughout. Textile is in poor condition. Consists of one layer of carpeting and trim, stretched, worn and pulling away from tacks at fabric edge. Trim no longer exists at front rail. Frame is stable but loose. Bentwood construction is in good condition. Finish is generally worn but gilded highlights remain. Finish is especially worn at stretchers in front. TREATMENT RECOMMENDATION: Vacuum and surface clean, stabilize textile to edges of seat if put on display.
CONDITION - Generally good condition. The ebonized finish is rubbed on top curve of back crest, of arms, and front cross stretchers. The fabric seat is worn and soiled and has become unattached across the front, Gimp across front is missing.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Attributed to Tyler Desk Company. Child's Bentwood Rocking Chair, ca. 1885. Ebonized bentwood, original upholstery, 28 1/8 x 14 x 25 1/4 in. (71.4 x 35.6 x 64.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Joseph V. Garry, 1989.60.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1989.60.2.jpg)
IMAGE
overall,
CUR.1989.60.2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
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