Hi MJ,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This chair is an example of Colonial Revival furniture, a period that began around the time of America's Centennial Exposition (1876) that glorified the aesthetics of the Revolutionary period. There is perhaps no more uniquely American furniture form than the rocking chair, which was invented in the early 18th Century (1730-40) but became widely popular in the mid 19th Century (1850). This chair was made in the first half of the 20th Century, though they were still being produced well into the late 20th Century.

While it's possible that both Lizzie Borden (1860-1927) and John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963) sat in this chair, it's conjecture without more evidentiary proof (in the form of photographs, sworn affidavits, or other documentation.

These chairs are not particularly rare and come to auction quite often, usually selling for around $100.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Colonial Revival oak rocking armchair
With shaped rounded crest raised on two turned stiles flanking turned spindles, over shaped arms with scrolled ends, over a saddle seat, raised on short bulbous and ring-turned legs, joined by a turned box stretcher, on rockers.
DESCRIPTION
Overall height: 43 inches; width: 27 inches; depth: 31 inches
CONDITION: This chair appears to be in good condition.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 75-125*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia