Carpet rockers are late-Victorian vintage
Q. I would like to know the value and vintage of these rocking chairs. They have been in my family for almost 100 years. They are made of walnut and were originally covered with a rug-like material. I had them restored. There is a marking on the bottom of each rocker with the words "Nat'l Mfg. Co., Elbridge, NY."
Do you have any information on them?
A. You have a nice pair of Victorian Eastlake carpet rockers made by National Chair Manufacturing Co. The company was founded in 1859 and located in Elbridge, Onondaga County, New York. An image of carpet rockers like yours was used on the company's billhead in 1882.
Charles Eastlake was the father of 19th century household design and architecture. He promoted integrity of design and pride in workmanship. In reaction to the ornate and scrolled Victorian furniture, he believed that furniture lines should be geometric, have incised carving and be affordable. Your rockers' designs are similar to the furniture created by George Hunzinger, who was born in 1835 and died in 1898. He was originally from Germany and came from a family of cabinetmakers. His furniture was inspired by the rapidly developing technology and machines of the 1900s. He signed and patented much of his own work.
Your Eastlake period, Hunzinger-style carpet rockers were made around 1880 and would probably each be worth $150 to $250.
Q. I have sent you a mark that is on the bottom of a porcelain pedestal cake plate I bought at a tag sale. I don't collect antiques, but I thought it would make a perfect serving dish for birthday and holiday desserts. It is decorated with pastel flowers and trimmed in gold, and the background is white. It is 6 inches tall, and in mint condition.
No one at the tag sale knew anything about its history. I paid $20 for it. What can you tell me?
A. Zeh, Scherzer & Co. made your pedestal cake plate. The factory was founded in 1880 in Rehau, Bavaria, Germany. In the beginning, it made porcelain tea and coffee sets. Then it branched out to tableware and decorative objects. In the 1980s, the company experienced several financial setbacks and poor sales, and was bought out by an investment company. Operations ceased in 1992.
Your pedestal cake plate was made around 1880 and would probably be worth $50 to $75.
• Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.
© 2016, Creators Syndicate