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Expert: - 9/15/2008


Question

Rocker
I am refinishing/ restoring an old oak rocking chair as a gift for a relative.  I am trying to determine what sort of seat the original piece may have had.  As I began work on the rocker it had a torn and deteriorating flat piece of leather tacked into the frame of the seating surface along a routed edge of about 1/16" in depth.  Under this was a lower grade of deteriorating leather also tacked into a routed lip of and additional 1/8" depth on the seat frame.  I realize my description may seem convoluted so I have attached a photo that I hope will clarify my description. (I am standing with my feet at the front of the rocker looking directly down at the seat surface.)  

As the rocker has been in the family for a great number of years there has arisen disagreement and confusion as to the original seat.  Some suggest that it was leather from the begininning.  Others suggest this leather was a modification and replacement.  Some suggest the original seat was done with caining.  Yet others say it possesed a rush seat.

If the seat was originally cained there remains no channel around the perimeter in which to inset the reed only the step down system of routed lips. If it was a rush seat how would this coincide with the routed edges?  Around what would I wrap the rush? Or would I simply make a rush seat that I inset into the piece and wouldn't this sit up above the plane of the seating surface?  Should I simply replace the two ply leather system and how would I go about doing it?  Would this "leather sling" scenario hold someone's weight?

Also of curious note, there are two square holes on the back rail of the seat frame. About an inch in from the rear corners of the "seat hole", these two square holes run parallel to the plane of the seating surface and project back into the rear rail of the seat frame.  In other words, they are not squares holes penetrating through the seat surface but rather two holes starting on the interior of the back rail and penetrating back into it.

I realize that my inexpertise has likely led to language that has convoluted the explanation of my scenario.  For that I apologize and thus reframe my inquiry.  

Concerning the attached picture, can you tell what sort of seat this rocker was originally intended to have or do you need more information that I could possibly provide to make such a judgement?  What would be the best way to replace the seat?  If I can not determine or restore the original style of seat what is the optimal alternative seating choice?

Thanks again for your time and consideration.  

Answer
Hi Ryan
Nice to hear from you.
I can tell you from your excellent picture that this seat did not have caning as there are no holes.
The seat did not have rush either.
I do however see lots of tack holes.
In my opinion, the seat likely had burlap webbing which was tacked to the inner most area, then a bit of padding then a final cover of leather on the outside indented area.
The indent is just not deep enough to allow an insert of any kind.
This "leather sling" scenario is not out of the question either, but it must be the right type of leather.
I refer to an actual piece of leather (or synthetic) that is quite thick.
In my opinion this would be the easiest fix for this chair if you are doing the work.
Here is a link to such  seats.
http://vandykes.resultspage.com/search?w=leather+seats
As you can see, its only one piece that needs to be tacked around the outer edge of the indent.
You simply cut it to size and tack in place.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThe punctual manner in which this volunteer lends her expertise remains remarkable to me. She readily offered knowledgeable analysis of my project and immediately suggested several viable solutions to my dilemma. I would not hesitate to consult her expertise in the future.


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Eileen Cronk

Expertise

I can answer most questions about the repairing and refinishing of all your old furniture items (the things we call antiques). I can also give you advice on what wood items to choose and what wood items to avoid at auctions, flea markets etc. I DO NOT give appraisals on antiques as this is not my field of expertise.

Experience

I have been repairing, refinishing and of course buying old furniture for the past 30 years. On any given weekend I can be found at auction sales or flea markets searching out a good buy. I have taken several courses in this area over the years, but I find "Hands On" learning to be the best teacher. I can help you avoid the pitfalls and problems of this wonderful rewarding craft.

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