Rocking chair

Rocking Chair

Figured Claro Walnut, Holly

25”W 50”H 45”L

The stock for this chair came from two large, thick claro walnut crotch slabs. The coloring and figure is incredible. The wood just dances in the sun. The extra thick stock (over 3 ¼”) allowed me to sculpt more flowing lines and shapes than the more standard 2” thick stock allows. For instance, the seat has a serpentine shape when viewed from the side. The raised platform at the base of the spindles and flowing curves and bulbous shape of the crest rail are other elements that would not have been possible with thinner stock.

I appreciate the aesthetics of all the curves, but I am also very happy with the level of comfort they bring to the chair. Watching the reactions of people when they sit in it for the first time has been a real pleasure.

This is actually one of four rockers I created at the same time. Two in claro walnut and two in figured European pear that also came from slabs that were very thick. I had a little fun with some intarsia work in the pear rockers. Images of one of them are presented in the detail shots.