ROCKING CHAIR
CulturePrince Edward Island
Dimensions97.5 x 61.5 x 78.5 cm (38 3/8 x 24 3/16 x 30 7/8 in.)
Object numberHF.2024.7.1
DescriptionA hardwood rocking chair with tooled leather seat and chair back, and dark stain. The rocker panels have square edges and attach to the turned, bamboo-like legs at the front and back of center. The double stretcher consists of three turned rungs, with the back rung smooth and without decorative detail. The seat is vaguely square shaped with round corners and convex on the left and right sides. The front edge has a slight point at the front center. The center of the seat has a circular, tooled center, which is slightly sunken into the seat and features concentric circles of geometric patterns, images of griffins and vases, with a bearded face at the center. Metal rivets with round heads affix the leather to the seat and the reverse of the seat’s leather is covered with cotton fabric and stapled to the base. The seat is made of four panels of wood with the remnants of a paper at the back center which features handwriting. The arms are bow shaped with turned rungs and carved splats at the bottom center. The back uprights flare outward slightly and are turned. The seat back is oval shaped, pointed at the top center with a carved flower detail, and two short protruding arms which attach to the uprights. The center features a tooled leather cushion with a figure standing beside a bicycle surrounded by scrollwork and a small diamond pattern background attached to the seat back with small metal rivets which have a “bullseye” like center. Associated objects: HF.77.39.9.
Narrative
John Newson was an accomplished furniture maker and merchant from Charlottetown, PEI. His factory began operations in 1866 and he quickly became a prominent businessman and contemporary of Mark Butcher, whose factory Newson outranked in productivity. His advertisements in local newspapers promoted Newson's competitive prices while also demonstrating a clear understanding of attractive marketing strategies. Newson's business thrived during the economic upturn experienced on PEI during the mid 19th century and his furniture was widely sold to households throughout the province, including Government House.
Newson's factory was known to import furnishings, much like Mark Butcher, and it is likely that this chair is one such example. It was reportedly given as a gift from John Newson to his son and daughter-in-law on their wedding day. Many years later it was given as a gift to the donor's family from the granddaughter of John Newson.
Newson's factory was known to import furnishings, much like Mark Butcher, and it is likely that this chair is one such example. It was reportedly given as a gift from John Newson to his son and daughter-in-law on their wedding day. Many years later it was given as a gift to the donor's family from the granddaughter of John Newson.
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