Small antique rocking chair
Family heirloom, believed to be from 1905 or earlier. Appears to be hand carved. It used springs for the rocker. Sits low to the ground. No apolestry left on the chair. Only marking says “A.E. Simmons, Adams Mass”. Would like to have it appraised for estimated value and then find the right place to have it restored.
It has been in the family home at Cheshire MA since at least 1905, possibly as early as 1870.
Inherited
No
Hi Jared,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
If you'd like for your appraisal to include dimensions, which is customary, please forward in the comments section - at your convenience - the height, width to the outside of both arms, and depth and I'll update this ASAP.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An antique aesthetic movement carved walnut platform rocking armchair frame
made by Arthur H. Simmons, Adams Mass, probably 1880s
The backed with arched pierced crest over a back topped with a recessed inpainted oval panel, the stiles continuing into rounded arms, the trapezoidal seat with rounded front rail, all on a rocking platform. Back rail hand-inscribed in ink "A.H. Simmons Adams Mass".
(DIMENSIONS)
CONDITION: unupholstered, with remnants and evidence of previous upholstery campaigns
PROVENANCE: inherited
$200-300*
*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, and thank you again for using Mearto.
I actually found that the name is "A.H. Simmons" and research shows he (Arthur H. Simmons) was a furniture maker in Adams, Mass starting in 1870.
That last message was really helpful, because makers usually branded or labeled their pieces...its rare (but not necessarily better) to have a hand-inked inscription.
The cost of getting this upholstered will be costly and I am not sure the chair would then be worth the cost of the upholstery...platform rockers in good condition (with their original upholstery) are rarely selling for more than $500 at auction these days.
I hope that's helpful!
Hello,
I uploaded another photo. It is hand painted on the bottom (see photo).