Did Benjamin Franklin invent the rocking chair?

No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent the rocking chair. This common misconception is linked to an erroneous statement made in the book The Rocking Chair: An American Institution, published in 1921. In actuality, rocking chairs were created by English farmers early in the 18th century. Early American examples date back to around 1830. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of rocking chairs.

Benjamin Franklin Bust

Sevres Porcelain Bust

Cast Iron Bust

Parian Bisque

Bronze George Washington Bust

19th Century Cast Iron Bust Portrait Plaque of Benjamin Franklin

$3,251

H 3 in Dm 22 in

19th Century Cast Iron Bust Portrait Plaque of Benjamin Franklin

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

19th century cast iron bust portrait plaque of Benjamin Franklin Cast iron bust portrait plaque

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Classical Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Iron

18th c. Wedgwood Portrait Medallion Plaque Bust of Benjamin Franklin Circa 1780

$5,500

H 6 in W 5.25 in D 0.75 in

18th c. Wedgwood Portrait Medallion Plaque Bust of Benjamin Franklin Circa 1780

Located in Litchfield, CT

Antique 18th century Wedgwood portrait medallion plaque - bust of Benjamin Franklin circa 1780

Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Recent Sales

Terracotta Benjamin Franklin, after Houdon

Unavailable

H 23 in W 15 in D 11 in

Terracotta Benjamin Franklin, after Houdon

Located in North Egremont, MA

Terracotta bust of Benjamin Franklin, after Jean-Antoine Houdon. This bust seems to have been cast

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

American Patinated Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin, C. 1850

Sold

H 7 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

American Patinated Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin, C. 1850

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

An American patinated bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin, C. 1850 Very nice quality and perfect

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Classical Busts

Materials

Bronze

Sèvres Bust of Benjamin Franklin after Jean-Antoine Houdon

Sold

H 18 in W 11.88 in D 9 in

Sèvres Bust of Benjamin Franklin after Jean-Antoine Houdon

By Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres, Jean-Antoine Houdon

Located in New Orleans, LA

Benjamin Franklin is one of the most important figures in American and world history. This Sèvres

Category

20th Century French Busts

Materials

Porcelain

Terracotta Bust of Benjamin Franklin, After Houdon, 19th Century

Sold

H 22.5 in Dm 14.25 in

Terracotta Bust of Benjamin Franklin, After Houdon, 19th Century

By Jean-Antoine Houdon

Located in Spencertown, NY

The bust is after the Houdon model done in 1778

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Busts

Materials

Terracotta

After Jean-Antoine Houdon a Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin

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H 19 in W 12 in D 6 in

After Jean-Antoine Houdon a Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin

By Jean-Antoine Houdon

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

After Jean-Antoine Houdon (French, 1741-1828) a bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin on a white marble

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Busts

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Rare Pair of American Bronze Busts of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin

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H 8.5 in W 3 in D 3 in

Rare Pair of American Bronze Busts of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin

By Jean-Antoine Houdon

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

A rare pair of American bronze busts of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, circa 1820

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American American Classical Busts

Materials

Bronze

French Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Benjamin Franklin, 19th Century

Sold

H 13 in Dm 6.38 in

French Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Benjamin Franklin, 19th Century

Located in Shippensburg, PA

A most crisp casting of Benjamin Franklin, this gorgeous work of art features a surface positively

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Busts

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin

Sold

H 8.25 in W 5 in D 4.5 in

19th Century Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin

Located in New York, NY

19th century bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin. After Jean-Antoine Houdon. Measure: 8.25" H.

Category

Antique 19th Century Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

"Washington and His Generals" Hand-Colored First Edition Engraving, Circa 1856

Sold

H 36 in W 48 in D 2.5 in

"Washington and His Generals" Hand-Colored First Edition Engraving, Circa 1856

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

identification of most possible. The surrounding detail, including a bust of Benjamin Franklin, are also very

Category

Antique 1850s Prints

"Washington and His Generals" Antique Engraving by A.H. Ritchie, circa 1870

Sold

H 41 in W 52 in D 2 in

"Washington and His Generals" Antique Engraving by A.H. Ritchie, circa 1870

By Alexander Hay Ritchie

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

Houdon in Richmond, Virginia. The surrounding details of the room, including a bust of Benjamin Franklin

Category

Antique 1870s American Prints

Materials

Paper

American Patinated Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin, C. 1850

Sold

H 7 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

American Patinated Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin, C. 1850

Located in Long Island City, NY

An American patinated bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin, C. 1850 Very nice quality and perfect

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Bronze

"Washington and His Generals" Engraving by A. H. Ritchie, circa 1870

Sold

H 33.13 in W 44 in D 1 in

"Washington and His Generals" Engraving by A. H. Ritchie, circa 1870

By Alexander Hay Ritchie

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

a bust of Benjamin Franklin and the classical furnishings, are also very finely engraved. This

Category

Antique 1870s American Federal Prints

Materials

Paper

Bust of Benjamin Franklin

Sold

H 23 in W 15 in D 10 in

Bust of Benjamin Franklin

Located in Hudson, NY

Bust of Benjamin Frankllin in a composite material

Category

Antique 19th Century American Sculptures

Bust of Benjamin Franklin

Sold

H 23 in W 14.5 in D 12 in

Bust of Benjamin Franklin

Located in Great Barrington, MA

Plaster full bodied cast bust of the great patriot, scientist, printer, publisher

Category

Antique 19th Century Sculptures

Materials

Paint

Large Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin by John J. Boyle

Sold

H 24 in W 29 in D 19 in

Large Bronze Bust of Benjamin Franklin by John J. Boyle

By John J. Boyle

Located in Minneapolis, MN

One of two known bronze bust sculptures of Benjamin Franklin by noted American artist John J. Boyle

Category

Antique 19th Century American Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Portrait Busts of Washington and Franklin

Sold

H 15 in W 7 in D 6 in

19th Century Portrait Busts of Washington and Franklin

Located in Oaks, PA

19th century portrait busts of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Each bust finely but

Category

Antique 19th Century American American Classical Busts

Materials

Alabaster, Marble

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Benjamin Franklin Bust For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal benjamin franklin bust for your home. A benjamin franklin bust — often made from metal, bronze and stone — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect benjamin franklin bust — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A benjamin franklin bust, designed in the neoclassical or Louis XVI style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. Many designers have produced at least one well-made benjamin franklin bust over the years, but those crafted by Jean-Antoine Houdon, George Lundeen and Alexander Hay Ritchie are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Benjamin Franklin Bust?

Prices for a benjamin franklin bust start at $1,200 and top out at $39,500 with the average selling for $4,000.

Questions About Benjamin Franklin Bust

Did Benjamin Franklin invent the rocking chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent the rocking chair. This common misconception is linked to an erroneous statement made in the book The Rocking Chair: An American Institution, published in 1921. In actuality, rocking chairs were created by English farmers early in the 18th century. Early American examples date back to around 1830. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of rocking chairs.