Rare Victorian Forum

Hello all -

Came across this forum rather by accident while on one of my research tangents.  I've adored Nineteenth-Century furniture since my early teens, and have collected quite a bit over the past dozen or so years.

So, I give you, forum members - something to pick your brain with.

I'm a sucker for Renaissance Revival and Eastlake styles, particularly the transitional stuff that kind of has elements of both in it (at least, that's how I view it.) So when, while browsing a friend's antique mall and came across this rocker, I swooned.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3949781015_01995263e9_b.jpg

I've been friends with the owner of the antique mall, and it was her rocker. I had mentioned in conversation that I liked it, and would come back for it, but later, as we talked about cleaning out a back room in the mall, which previous owners had left in an enormous pile, she said "If you help me, I'll give you that rocker."

So, naturally, I helped her that weekend, and came home with the rocker without investing a thing in it - except for the help for my friend, which I was happy to do, because we're good friends, and it was fun work. So it was a win-win-win situation, I guess.


A few weeks later, I had an "Aha!" moment. I had checked out from the library a facsimile reprint of Asher & Adam's Pictorial Album of American Industry (1876). The book, for those not familiar with it, was compilation of biographical information on American Manufacturing companies, in commemoration of the American Centennial.

One of the companies profiled in the book, was Hale Kilburn and Company, of Philadelphia - a company which, in 1876, was manufacturing parlor furniture and folding beds. One cut in the company profile, was of this side chair, which bore a striking resemblance  to my rocker.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3950580522_5cb5273f79_b.jpg

Here's a close-up of the back of the rocker for comparison:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/3949798401_d70c6a3c74_b.jpg

So - am I nuts? What do you fine folks think?

Thanks for your thoughts! I was really surprised to see the cut in that book - and it left me very happy, because I've never had a piece of furniture with which I could say "Oh and it probably is by X company/maker."

I know it's not a particularly exemplary piece - and I'm not somebody who collects for value or even good condition. I just buy what I like - so long as I think the price is right for what it is.

In this case - it was free, so it was a difficult bargain to refuse.

There's another chair I have that I got about a year and a half ago - that is kind of balloon-backed, but was very obviously, at one point elaborately painted in delicate scrolls. Its caned seat was covered over with very beautiful upholstery some time in the 1880s, I think. I've been confused as to its date - because people have told me it's a Hitchcock style chair, but I thought Hitchcock style was more square-backed (and Hitchcock is more, I think, Federal or Empire style?) Its finish is so beautiful, in a worn and shabby way, with its ghostly scrolls that I don't ever want to do anything to it. I think its original. Like I said, I can post a picture if anyone wants to see it.

Okay - I had to get some new shots of it as I've only taken some detail shots in the past, so here they are. I'm not sure if I should post a new topic about it, but for now, I think this will be fine here:

It really does have legs past the grass - it has not been sawn down.

From the side, I've been told it's a hitchcock style of decoration, but it's a Victorian shape, I believe, so might it be a transitional piece?

The back. The front of the chair-back is flat, and the back is a half-round. With the shell brace (I think that's what it's called) completely flat

Detail of the original decorative painted finish. I love the worn finish, but I wonder what it would have looked when it was new.

more detail, this time where the decorative finish is still clearly visible. I believe it's an ebonized finish with the painted scrolls - over which there is a shellac or some other kind of varnish.

Finally, the bottom of the seat, showing that the chair originally had a caned seat.