How can you tell if a bentwood rocker is real?

There have been many reproductions and generic chairs called “bentwood rockers” through the years. A sure way of identifying a real Thonet from around the turn of the 20th century is the presence of the company name (THONET) with a solid line underneath carved somewhere into the chair.

Are old rocking chairs worth anything?

Antique rustic rocking chairs in good condition are worth between $400—$1,600. Whether you plan on appraising your rocker to sell or just want to know the value for yourself, we recommend storing your rocking chair in a temperature-controlled storage unit.

What are bentwood rockers made from?

Many of the early bentwood pieces were stained black or dark brown. Seats were commonly made of cane or plywood and were the only portions not made by the bentwood method. One of the most aesthetically pleasing examples of bentwood furniture is the Thonet rocking chair.

When were bentwood chairs made?

1850s
Who invented bentwood chairs? All bentwood furniture, including Trent Furniture’s extensive range, derives from the first bentwood chair made by German-Austrian cabinet maker Michael Thonet in the 1850s in Vienna. The first of its kind was named the Model 14 and soon became known as the ‘chair of chairs’.

How do you identify a Thonet rocking chair?

Thonet chairs are marked with a label on the underside of the seat. Most of the chair seats are rush or canned and the bent wood supports the back and legs of the chair in gentle curved styles.

What are bentwood rockers made of?

What year were bentwood chairs made?

The Origin of the Bentwood or Thonet Chair Michael Thonet was born on July 2nd, 1796 and for the first thirty years of his life was basically a cabinet maker. However, by the mid-1830s he had perfected a process of making furniture out of a combination of bent and glued wooden slats.

What type of wood is used in bentwood furniture?

What kind of wood are bentwood chairs made of?

When were bentwood chairs popular?

It’s been estimated that around 50 million of these chairs were sold between 1859 and 1930 alone. And they are still as popular now as they were back then with a constant demand meaning that millions more have been sold since.

What is a bentwood rocking chair?

An elite league of rocking chairs featuring treads fashioned from bent plywood or bamboo bands, bentwood rocking chairs lend sculptural appeal to any room they’re placed in. It’s no surprise, then, that a bentwood rocker was among Pablo Picasso’s most beloved (and painted!) studio possessions.

What is the history of the rocking chair?

Thonet applied his discoveries to a number of chairs, including the iconic Chair no. 14, a curvy-backed bistro or cafe chair that has since been emulated the world over. Soon after, Thonet fashioned his curving beechwood fragments into curvy rocking treads rather than chair backs, resulting in the Rocking chair, model 1.

What kind of wood is a Dondolo rocking chair?

Iconic ‘Dondolo’ rocking chair Luigi Crassevig, Italy with cane on a solid steam bent beechwood frame, marked. A stunning and iconic design, this is the number 21 bentwood rocking chair by Thonet.

Did Pablo Picasso own a bentwood rocker?

It’s no surprise, then, that a bentwood rocker was among Pablo Picasso’s most beloved (and painted!) studio possessions. The bentwood rocking chair masterfully treads the line between antique and modernist-feeling, resulting in a piece that seems to transcend placement in time.