Nursery Rocking Chair
Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Rocking Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Teak
Early 20th Century Finnish Folk Art Rocking Chairs
Wood, Birch
Vintage 1970s American Rocking Chairs
Cotton, Lucite
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fiberglass
1990s American American Craftsman Rocking Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Teak
Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Rocking Chairs
Wicker
20th Century American Windsor Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Hardwood
20th Century American Post-Modern Floor Lamps
Plaster
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
2010s American Flush Mount
Brass
Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights a...
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Fruitwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Wool, Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Wood, Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Elm
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Danish Rocking Chairs
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Rocking Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Velvet, Plywood
1990s Post-Modern Rocking Chairs
Bouclé
Vintage 1970s American Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Lucite
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Teak, Velvet
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Metal
Early 2000s American Organic Modern Rocking Chairs
Cherry
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Teak, Wool
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Sheepskin
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Sheepskin
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Beech
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Teak
20th Century Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Cowhide
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Wood, Faux Fur
Mid-20th Century North American Rocking Chairs
Sheepskin
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Swivel Chairs
Metal
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
Ceramic
Vintage 1930s American Industrial Rocking Chairs
Brass, Steel
Antique 19th Century American Rocking Chairs
Pine
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Rocking Chairs
Lucite, Velvet
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Teak
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Teak
Antique 1860s American Victorian Rocking Chairs
Wicker
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1940s Danish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Sheepskin, Birch
Mid-20th Century English Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
Leather, Oak, Wood
2010s American Organic Modern Rocking Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Teak
20th Century American Chairs
Wicker, Cane
20th Century American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Wood
2010s American Organic Modern Rocking Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Nursery Rocking Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Nursery Rocking Chair?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
The best chair for a nursery is a rocking chair.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A platform rocking chair is a rocking chair constructed to have the rockers on a fixed platform rather than the floor. You’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary platform rocking chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024What a rocking chair symbolizes is largely a matter of individual interpretation. Some people associate rocking chairs with comfort or relaxation. Because people often sit in the chairs to gently rock babies to sleep, the furniture may also represent parenthood or motherhood. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of rocking chairs.
- What is a Boston rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Boston rocking chair is a wooden rocking chair with a decorative top panel and a seat and arms that curve down towards the front. Find an assortment of rocking chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a Windsor rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021A Windsor rocking chair is built for comfort and is usually manufactured in such a way that the seat’s spindles, along with the chair-back and legs, are pushed into holes that have been drilled. This sets this type of chair apart, as the standard construction of a chair sees that the back legs are continuous. The Windsor chair originated in the early 1700s in the English town of Windsor. As mentioned, their bentwood back frames are assembled with slender wooden spindles that are plugged into drill holes in the sculpted seat, which was usually made of elm and slightly sunken or dish-shaped for the sitter’s comfort. Shop a collection of antique and vintage Windsor rocking chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
A rocking chair helps soothe infants, children, and adults alike. The rocking and swaying movement helps create a meditative and lethargic state.
- How old is the rocking chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The rocking chair is more than 275 years old. Early models date back to around 1725 and were made by outfitting Windsor chairs with skates. By 1787, rocking chairs were common enough for the word to be added to the English dictionary. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of rocking chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Thonet rocking chair, look for the company name. You will normally find it stamped directly onto the underside of the seat, arms or legs. You can find a collection of expertly vetted Thonet rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
A wooden rocking chair can be cleaned using a sponge, soap, and water. After, you should proceed to pat the rocking chair down with a cloth.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Windsor rocking chair, enlist the help of a licensed furniture appraiser. Many convincing distressed reproductions exist due to their popularity and value. An experienced professional can accurately determine if yours is an authentic antique or a replica. Find a range of expertly vetted Windsor rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021The cost of a wooden rocking chair varies depending on the type of wood used, its finish and craftsmanship. Also, the period that the rocking chair belongs to will define the price of the chair. An antique rocking chair might cost between $500 and $1,500 while a contemporary rocking chair may cost somewhere between $150 and $400. Find a variety of antique, vintage, and contemporary wooden rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
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.