Rocking Chair
Chair, Rocking. Circa 1870–80. Wood, oak/steam-bent; wicker [Vernacular style] Acc. No. 82.40.00.073
Description: Wood rocker blades with four round wood legs wrapped in wicker. "X" stretchers with two wicker-wrapped corner braces on each leg. Two decorative wicker loops in the triangular space between each leg and brace. Wicker seat and back hung on a frame of wood dowels. Added wicker border around entire seat and back. Back has open-work woven decorative pattern.
Discussion: Governor George Drew, in whose Ellaville mansion this piece originally sat, was a pivotal figure in Florida's political history. The first Democratic governor after Reconstruction, he turned the state back from the radical social changes of the era to a much more conservative culture. This rocker, though part of a mansion, probably spent most of its time of the back porch or in the kitchen or hall. The governor was a portly man, so one can imagine him and members of his family gathered on the back porch relaxing in the cool of the evening after a hard day of doing the state's business (he spent most of his time as governor in his own home along the Suwanee River rather than in Tallahassee). Not currently on exhibit.
Bibliography
- Corbin, Patricia. All About Wicker. New York: Dutton, 1978.
Denker, Bert and Ellen. The Rocking Chair Book. New York: Mayflower Books, 1979. - Miller, Bruce W. The Caner's Handbook: A Descriptive Guide with Step-by-step Photographs
- for Restoring Cane, Rush, Splint, Danish Cord, Rawhide, and Wicker Furniture. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1983.
