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Another piece to come in is a Victorian Eastlake Rocking Chair. This walnut platform rocker is from the early 1900's and is just as smooth as it was 100 years ago!

It is argued about the first origins of the rocking chair started in England or Sweden in the early to mid 1700's. The idea of a rocker is much older, but it was used for things like baby cribs and such. It wasn't much later than the British that Americans took their existing Windsor chairs and refashioned the legs into what we now know as rockers. It might not have originated in America, but we definitely took to the design much more than the Europeans. Trivia Pursuit Fact: President Lincoln was shot while sitting in a Victorian Rocker at Ford's Theatre.




Not sure how many readers are woodworkers or wanna-be's like myself, but one of the best rockers ever designed was by a fellow named Sam Maloof. Sam passed away this year in May at the age of 93. He was still working on designs at the time of his death! He has been descibed as the "Hemingway of Hardwood" and has many of his designs in museums all across America. President Reagan had one in the White House during his presidency. Just perfect...

American Cylinder Front Desk & Secretary

WOW! Best American pieces to come in the shop in a LONG time.

These speak for themselves.

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLDSOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

Above is a great example of great American craftsmanship. This Cylinder Desk is from around the middle of the 19th century. Its made from Victorian Walnut and has applied burl veneer. The guy we got it from was told it was made by Brooks Brothers, but i didn't know they made furniture? 8) Beautiful in person!

Its brother is a little younger, more likely from the late 19th or early 20th century and is in the Eastlake Style. Made of walnut and applied burl as well, it has had the embossed leather on the pull-out writing desk replaced in the last 10 years so has a new but aged look to it!


Named for Charles Lock Eastlake, the style came to fruition after the disdain for the Rococo and Renaissance Revivals of the Victorian age. It was widely popular from 1860-1890's. The usual motifs are lightly incised carvings and modest curves, the emphasis on wood grain and color is also very apparent in Eastlake furniture. A timeless classic.