1950s Birch Rocking Chairs
Per Aaslid, Rocking Chair, Birch, Norway, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A birch rocking chair designed by Per Aaslid and produced by Aaslid Møbelfabrikk, Fyrde, Volda
Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Birch
Arnold Madsen Attribution, Rocking Chair, Birch, Fabric, Denmark, 1950s
By Arnold Madsen
Located in High Point, NC
A birch and blue fabric rocking lounge chair attrubuted to Arnold Madsen, Denmark, 1950s.
18" seat
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Birch
1950s Eames RKR Rocking Wire Side Chair with Yellow Hopsak original cover.
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An iconic RKR Rocking wire side chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Iron
H 26.75 in W 19 in D 27.25 in
Vintage Eames Wire Rocking Chair for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A rare satin black metal wire Eames rocking chair with birch wood runners and dark charcoal
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Wire
Original Vintage Charles & Ray Eames RAR Rocking Chair for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Iron
Eames RAR Rocking Chair by Zenith for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Highland, IN
rubber shock mounts, a translucent quality to the fiberglass. RAR was the designation given chairs with
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Iron
RAR Second Edition Rocking Armchair by Charles Eames for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hudson, NY
Original fiberglass armed shell on black wire base with birch rocker struts and large rubber mounts
Category
Vintage 1950s American Organic Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Norwegian Rocker after Ingmar Relling
By Ingmar Relling
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Norwegian Rocker after Ingmar Relling
Original birch frame
Re-Webbed.
Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Rocking Chairs
Materials
Birch
Charles and Ray Eames Designed 1st Generation RKR Rocker for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in San Francisco, CA
Birch wooden rockers, steel rod base and main body of the chair, then a burnt orange bikini seat cover.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
H 28.88 in W 18.75 in D 27.25 in
Charles Eames Classic RAR Rocking Chair Herman Miller Greige
By Charles Eames
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A Classic Charles Eames RAR greige rocking chair with original birch runners. A survivor in very
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
People Also Browsed
Large Bamboo Pair of Table Lamps with Brass Bases
Located in New York, NY
large bamboo pair of table lamps with brass bases.
Beautiful and chic table lamps. Lovely brass bases and bamboo tops held by brass top.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Brass
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection.
An iconic, unobtrusive design.
A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Materials
Linen
Rosewood and Suede MP-091 Sofa by Percival Lafer for Lafer MP
By Lafer, Percival Lafer
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Brazilian modernist Percival Lafer, this bold sofa, model MP-091, is deeply inviting. The comfortable tufted cushion sits on sturdy straps, attached to the lower front an...
Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Modern Sofas
Materials
Suede, Rosewood
Vintage Wassily Chair in the Style of Marcel Breuer for Knoll International
Located in PEGO, ES
Vintage original condition Wassily chair inspired by the Marcel Breuer for Knoll International A.K.A. B3. Chair, Black Leather and bent Tubular Chrome Steel Arm Chair, Made in Italy ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Lounge Chairs
Materials
Chrome
H 28.35 in W 30.32 in D 25.2 in
Fine Charles Eames for Evans Sold by Herman Miller Ash Grain DCM Dining Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller, Evans Products Company
Located in Ferndale, MI
Very nice early production Charles and Ray Eames designed dining chair metal (DCM ). Clean chrome frame supports ash grain seat and back. Retains original Eames Evans Herman Miller w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Chrome
H 29.5 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
Pair Mid Century Harry Bertoia Knoll Diamond Chairs
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in Baltimore, MD
A beautiful pair of vintage, knoll, metal mid century, Harry Bertoia, Diamond Chairs. Nice early Harry Bertoia Diamond Chairs for Knoll. A vintage iconic pair designed by Harry Berto...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Materials
Metal
Four Vintage Matteo Grassi MG5 Marcel Breuer Cognac Brown Leather Armchairs 4
By Marcel Breuer, Matteo Grassi
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime suite of four original fully stamped Matteo Grassi MG5 circa 1970 whisky brown leather armchairs designed by the genius that was Marce...
Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Chrome
H 28.15 in W 30.32 in D 21.26 in
Frits Henningaen 1930 Art Deco Sofa Danish
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful classic original Art Deco sofa by a famed Danish craftsman, Frits Henningsen. 1030. Original fabric
Category
Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Sofas
Materials
Wool, Cotton, Wood
Charles & Ray Eames Herman Miller Zenith Plastics LAX Rope Edge X Base Armchair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A fabulous Charles & Ray Eames transitional armchair produced by Herman Miller with Zenith Plastics. The salmon colored LAX chair features a rope edge, X base, large shock mounts, bo...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 25.75 in W 24.75 in D 25 in
4 Italian Marcel Breuer Knoll Cesca Tubular Chrome Caned Dining Arm Chairs
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Dayton, OH
Four vintage Marcel Breuer Cesca Gavina Knoll dining armchairs. Made of tubular steel / chrome featuring caned seat and back with ebonized frame and arms. Linearity balanced by su...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Chrome
H 29.5 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in
Pair of Signed Marcel Breuer Wassily Lounge Chairs Stendig Made in Italy 1960s
By Marcel Breuer, Stendig Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Bauhaus legend Marcel Breuer, these iconic chairs were made by the collaborative efforts of Stendig and Gavina during the mid to late 1960s. Stendig was not always just a...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Bauhaus Lounge Chairs
Materials
Steel, Chrome
H 28.75 in W 30 in D 27.25 in
Modern Chrome and Leather Strap Armchair after marcel breuer
By Marcel Breuer
Located in Trenton, NJ
Experience a bit of vintage modern elegance with this striking mid-century style armchair, a tribute to the iconic design of Marcel Breuer's Wassily chair. Perfectly suited for conno...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Materials
Metal
Swedish Cabinetmaker, Lounge Chairs, Solid Pine, Brown Fabric, Finland, c. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of modernist lounge chair. Designed and made by a swedish maker, 1970s. In solid pine. Cushions upholstered in brown fabric.
Other designers of the period include Axel Eina...
Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Bouclé, Pine
H 31.11 in W 33.47 in D 34.26 in
Charles and Ray Eames 2X1 Storage Unit "ESU" for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic design, this 2nd generation Eames Storage Unit for Herman Miller, c.1950s, USA, is a beautiful example of what has been described as "working art." The unit features a crea...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Materials
Steel
Eames Upholstered H Based Side Chairs for Herman Miller Pair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of rust colored upholstered scoop side chairs with black fiberglass shells sitting on satin black H bases . The bases have cream colored nylon foot pads to protect your floors...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Marcel Breuer for Gavina Set of 6 "Cesca" Chairs, Italy 1960s
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Naples, IT
Set of 6 Cesca chairs designed by Marcel Breuer, produced by Gavina in 1960.
The chairs show slight signs of wear, the seats are original Vienna straw.
The combination of Vienna stra...
Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Materials
Metal
Recent Sales
Eames RAR Herman Miller Zenith Rope Edge Rocking Chair Midcentury Masterpiece
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Senden, NRW
who wants their rocking chairs to be vintage shells and birch runners. Vintage Eames rocking bases are
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass, Birch
H 26 in W 27 in D 25 in
Early Eames 1950s Rocker Updated by Artist Jim Oliveira
By Jim Oliveira, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Hudson, NY
, circa 1950s updated by artist Jim Oliveira in acrylic gloss medium, signed and dated 2005, titled
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Acrylic, Birch, Fiberglass
Russel Wright for Conant Ball Solid Birch Rocking Chair, 1950s
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern solid birch spindle back rocking chair
By Russel Wright for Conant
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Birch
Russel Wright for Conant Ball Solid Birch Rocking Chair, 1950s
By Conant Ball, Russel Wright
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern solid birch spindle back rocking chair
By Russel Wright for
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Birch
Finnish Model K Rocking Chair, 1950s
Located in Helsinki, FI
Finnish model K rocking chair from the 1950s, Birch frame. Reupholstered with quality wool fabric
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wool, Birch
1950s Mid-Century Modern Platform Spring Rocking Chairs, a Pair
Located in San Carlos, CA
in the 1950s, these rocking chairs in Birch (?) come with their original green upholstered cushions
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Fifties Eames RAR Rocking Chair
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller RAR rocking chair circa 1955. This example was purchased in
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Materials
Metal
Charles and Ray Eames RAR Rocking Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Washington, DC
A clean black RAR Eames rocking chair.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
Charles and Ray Eames Rocking Chair
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Charles and Ray Eames Rocking Chair. RSR , enameled metal base supported by birch runners
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Eames Herman Miller Bikini Rocking Chair
Located in Phoenix, AZ
First year production Eames bikini rocking chair circa 1950. This all original example has
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Materials
Metal
Eames Herman Miller Rar Rocking Chair
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Rar rocking chair circa 1958. This example is a beautiful
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Classic Charles Eames RAR Rocking Chair Zenith Early Production
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very clean, original RAR Charles Eames rocking chair with rope edge-elephant hide grey color
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Materials
Metal
Herman Miller Eames Greige RAR Rocking Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Herman Miller Eames Greige RAR rocking chair. Shell in very good condition. No cracks. New birch
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
Herman Miller Eames RAR Rocking Chair in Olive Green
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A wonderful example of the modernist design classic. This Eames rocking chair with original base
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Charles Eames Rocker
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charles Eames rocker manufactured by Herman Miller
Fiberglass, steel and birch
Category
20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Eames Wire Rocker
By Charles Eames
Located in Toronto, Ontario
An exceptional early Eames wire rocking chair for Herman Miller ca. 1950's
This example is very
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
Early Eames RAR by Zenith Plastics for Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
This original vintage Eames rocking chair is an early example and has desirable characteristics
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
Vintage Eames Rocker for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Cincinnati, OH
base and birch runners. Manufactured by the Herman Miller Furniture Company, as noted this chair has
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Early All Original Zenith Rope Edge Rocker designed by Charles Eames
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames, Zenith
Located in Atlanta, GA
stationary in the chair rather than rocking in it, as the original wood rocker runners have flattened out on
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Materials
Metal
Industrial Drawing Table Chair by Friso Kramer for Ahrend, ca 1960
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Friso Kramer
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
use (see photos).
The foundation for the chair's success was laid in the 1950s. In that decade
Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Materials
Iron
Eames Herman Miller Zenith RAR Rope Edge Rocking Chair
By Charles Eames
Located in Washington, DC
100% original Herman Miller Zenith rope edge rocking chair. The parchment color rocking chair has
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Zinc
IB Kofod-Larsen 'Penguin' Danish Rocking Chair
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Asheville, NC
Classic Danish modern Kofod-Larsen penguin rocking chair. Featuring a sturdy black wrought Iron
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Charles Eames Rocking Chair "RAR" Early Production Zenith
By Charles Eames
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An excellent example of 1950s elephant grey, Eames rocking chair (RAR). Birch runners, black
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Vintage Midcentury Danish Modern lb Kofod Larsen Penguin Rocking Chair Rocker
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Authentic vintage Danish modern penguin rocking chair by lb Kofod Larsen. Item features bentwood
Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Iron
H 30 in W 22 in D 33 in
Early All Original Eames Herman Miller Rocking Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Second year production Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller rocking chair, circa early 1950s
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Early Production Eames Herman Miller RAR Rocking Chair
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Second year production Eames for Herman Miller rocking chair, circa early 1950s. This all original
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chair by Eames for Herman Miller in White Fiberglass
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An iconic Classic designed by Charles Eames and produced by Herman Miller in the 1950s. The chair
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Metal
H 28.5 in W 25 in D 27 in
Charles and Ray Eames Gray Zenith Rocker
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Philadelphia, PA
that date this to the early 1950s.
Category
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Metal
1950s Vintage Wooden Childs Chair Set Chair and Table Set Toy Push Along
Located in Stow on the Wold, GB
chairs made from solid beech, smaller chair made from solid birch. Date from 1950s.
Heavy signs of use
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Materials
Beech
H 14.57 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Vintage 1950's Rocking Chair by Eames for Herman Miller
Located in Hudson, NY
an iconic Eames for Herman Miller vintage 1957 fiberglass armshell rocking chair, mounted on a
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass, Birch
Charles And Ray Eames Rocking Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
ROCKING CHAIR FOR HERMAN MILLER CIRCA 1950 FIBERGLASS,PAINTED STEEL AND BIRCH RUNNERS
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
1950's Eames Zenith RAR Elepnat hide grey rocker
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
1950's Eames Zenith RAR Elepnat hide grey rocker
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Birch, Fiberglass
Charles Eames Herman Miller, 1955 Rocking Chair Two Triangle Summit Mark
Located in Tulsa, OK
. The slightly off white shell bears the two triangle "Summit" mark, dating it to the mid-late 1950s era
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Iron
H 26.5 in W 24.75 in D 27 in
Rare 1950's Charles Eames for Herman Miller RKR Rocker With Leather Pad
By Charles Eames
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Charles Eames for Herman Miller RKR - Rocking Chair with upholstered leather seat pad over steel
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
Rocking Armchair by Charles Eames
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Hudson, NY
Original hard to find red fiberglass arm shell on black wire base with birch rocker struts.
Marked
Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Rocking Chairs
Mid-Century Modern Black Mademoiselle Rocking Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Art
By Ilmari Tapiovaara, Artek
Located in Savona, IT
Rocking chair produced by Artek in the 1950s based on a design by Ilmari Tapiovaara.
Structure in
Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Wood
H 36.62 in W 21.66 in D 35.44 in
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller Parchment Fiberglass Arm Chair on RAR Rocker Base
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Morristown, NJ
Parchment Fiberglass Shell Arm Chair on RAR Rocker base w. Birch Slides by Charles and Ray Eames
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Iron
H 26.38 in W 24.81 in D 27.17 in
Charles Eames For Herman Miller Original RAR Chair
By Charles Eames
Located in New York, NY
Original 1950's Charles Eames for Herman Miller RAR chair on Original birch runner rocking chair
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Metal
Original Eames RKR Rocker by Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Birch and a Girard fabric hopsack material bikini seat pad.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
Rare Charles Eames Zenith Rope Edge RAR Rocker
Located in Berkeley, CA
hide grey with birch runners
Category
Vintage 1950s Rocking Chairs
Materials
Metal
Charles & Ray Eames "Zenith" RAR Rocker, USA Zeeland, MI 1950
Located in London, GB
26h x 25w x 27d, molded parchment fiberglass shell on zinc struts and birch runners, manufacture
Category
Vintage 1950s American Rocking Chairs
RKR-1 Rocker by Charles Eames
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Hudson, NY
All original, early rocker, black wire frame with birch struts, original fabric upholstered cover
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Charles & Ray Eames Rocking chair - Herman Miller
Located in Hudson, NY
An iconic Eames design in excelent origional condition. The metal base is Zink plated with Birch
Category
20th Century American Chairs
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Danish Rocking Chair - Selig - Ib Kofod Larsen
By Selig, Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Crockett, CA
Comfortable smaller scale rocking chair manufactured by Selig and designed by Ib Kofod Larsen. The
Category
20th Century Danish Rocking Chairs
Materials
Birch
Eames for Herman Miller Red Orange RAR Rocker
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Portland, ME
Ray and Charles Eames designed RAR rocking chair in red orange. Made, circa 1950s by Herman Miller
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
Early Production Eames Rar Rocker for Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Portland, OR
A wonderful early production Eames Rocker with the wood rounded rockers. The shell is in wonderful shade with a small production blemish in the seat. White fiberglass bucket shell wi...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Materials
Steel
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "1950s Birch Rocking Chairs", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
1950s Birch Rocking Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
There is a range of 1950s birch rocking chairs for sale on 1stDibs. The range of distinct 1950s birch rocking chairs — often made from birch, wood and metal — can elevate any home. 1950s birch rocking chairs have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century. 1950s birch rocking chairs are generally popular furniture pieces, but Mid-Century Modern and Scandinavian Modern styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller and Charles Eames each produced beautiful 1950s birch rocking chairs that are worth considering.
How Much are 1950s Birch Rocking Chairs?
Prices for 1950s birch rocking chairs start at $850 and top out at $5,108 with the average selling for $2,550.
Finding the Right rocking-chairs for You
The phrase “rocking chair” didn’t find its way into the dictionary until the mid-18th century. While most of the sitting furniture that we use in our homes originated in either England or France, the iconic rocking chair is a quintessentially American piece of furniture.
A Philadelphia cabinetmaker’s bill for a proto-rocking chair issued in 1742, which identified the seat as a “Nurse Chair with rockers,” is the earliest surviving evidence of this design’s humble beginnings. The nurse chair was a low side chair intended for nursing women, so giving it a soothing rocking motion made sense. Rocking chairs, which saw a curved slat affixed to the chairs’ feet so that they could be literally rocked, quickly gained popularity across the United States, garnering a reputation as a seat that everyone could love. They offered casual comfort without the expensive fabrics and upholstery that put armchairs out of many families’ budgets.
Rocking chairs are unique in that they don’t just offer a place to rest — they offer an opportunity to reminisce. The presence of one of these classic pieces stirs up our penchant for nostalgia and has the power to transform a space. They easily introduce a simple country feel to the city or bring the peaceful rhythm of a porch swing into a sheltered sunroom. Although craftsmen took to painting and stenciling varieties of the chairs that emerged in New England during the 19th century, the most traditional rocking chairs are generally unadorned seats constructed with time-tested materials like wood and metal. As such, a minimalist vintage rocking chair can be ushered into any corner of your home without significantly disrupting your existing decor scheme or the room’s color palette.
In the decades since the first rocker, top designers have made the piece their own. Viennese chair maker Michael Thonet produced a series of rockers in the middle of the 19th century in which the different curved steam-bent wood parts were integrated into fluid, sinuous wholes. Mid-century modernists Charles and Ray Eames added wooden rockers to their famous plastic shell armchair, while Danish designer Frank Reenskaug opted for teak and polished beech, introducing pops of color with small cushions (a precursor to the bold works that would follow in the 1970s and 1980s).
No matter your personal style, let 1stDibs pair you with your perfect seat. Deck out your porch, patio or parlor — browse the vintage, new and antique rocking chairs in our vast collection today.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.
More Ways To Browse
Eames Fiberglass Shell Chairs By Herman Miller
Herman Miller Vintage Eames Fiberglass Chair
Charles Eames Life Chair
Heywood Wakefield Chair
Heywood Wakefield Chairs
Shell Chair By Eames For Herman Miller
Eames Orange
Brown Shell Eames
Black Fiberglass Herman Miller
Barrel Back Chair Set
Mid-20th Century Naugahyde Chairs
Black Herman Miller Shell Chair
Pasadena Used Office Furniture
Wood Chair Spindles Mid Century
Eames Fiberglass Chair Black
Set Of Barrel Back Chairs
Wood Barrel Back Chair Mid Century
Wood Backed Barrel Midcentury Chair