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Rocking Chairs
My chairs are an interpretation of Shaker ladder-back chairs. The largest Shaker made rocking chair was a No. 7. The No. 8 rocker is a modern adaptation sized for today's larger adults and is based on the scale and proportions of original Shaker rocking chairs.
Chairs are a vital home furnishing. Of all the different types of furniture, it is probable that the chair is the most essential form. A Shaker philosophy states don’t’ make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.
Chairs are post and rung construction – traditional Shaker. Rotary planes, known as ‘rounder’s’, are used to make circular the wood stock into legs, seat rails and stretchers. Fred Lambert of Worchester, England, developed this type of plane. The tool was originally used by ladder-makers in the fruit picking areas of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. An electric reversing motor drives a transmission to develop high torque at a low RMP. As the rotary plane is pulled or pushed on the spinning wood blank the tool shaves the wood cylindrical. For each diameter of wood there is a rotary plane to make it.
Chairs are constructed using closed-grain hardwoods such as cherry, maple, or walnut and are available with finials or a cushion rail on the rear legs. Seats are woven with cotton Shaker style tape.
The curved bar atop the back legs is a cushion rail. It is incorrect to call it a shawl rail. Although commonly referred to as such and may and may be an appropriate use, the bar was used to tie a cushion that covered the ladders. Cushions were an optional purchase when buying a Shaker rocking chair.
Other sizes and styles of chairs, benches, and stools are available, including tape colors.
No. 8 Rocker w/ Arms No. 8 Rocker Armless Height to Top of Rear Leg 43” 43” Seat Height 16-1/2” 16-1/2” Width between Front Legs 19” 19” Seat Depth 19” 19” Height of Arm
(Top at Center of Seat)24” N/A