Child’s Rocking Chair, mid-19th century

Child’s Rocking Chair, mid-19th century

Early rocking chairs were made by taking a chair and adding a variety of pieces to the bottom to obtain the rocking motion. One early model attempted in 1725 used ice skates tied to the bottom of a chair, and later versions continued to expand on these early attempts. This chair includes stenciled roses and gold scrollwork. A carrying handle is carved into the top back of the chair, and the back and seat are woven cane.

The chair belonged to Cora Roberts, who was born in Kalamazoo in 1861 to Daniel and Mary Roberts. Daniel worked as a druggist and book seller in Kalamazoo. Cora attended Kalamazoo College in 1880, and by 1900 was working as a clerk at the Michigan State Capitol. By 1930, Cora was back in Kalamazoo, and no longer working, but was renting rooms in her home to boarders.

Object #48.218

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