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Rare 19th-Century Illinois Folk Art Child’s Rocking Chair — Attributed to James George Blackman, Hillsboro, IL, c. 1840–1860
A wonderful and exceptionally charming piece of early American folk furniture: a small child’s rocking chair made in Hillsboro, Illinois by James George Blackman, circa 1840–1860.
This is the type of piece that is especially appealing to collectors of early American furniture, Illinois history, folk art, and primitive furniture. Its diminutive size and handmade construction give it tremendous character, and it is a wonderful example of the simple, functional furniture produced for everyday life in the 19th-century Midwest.
The chair is attributed to James George Blackman, a furniture maker associated with Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois. Hillsboro was an established community by the mid-19th century, and locally made furniture from this period represents an important part of the material history of early Illinois.
The chair has the unmistakable character of early handmade furniture, including turned wooden elements, a simple plank seat, hand-worked construction, and traditional wooden rockers. Rather than the uniform appearance of later factory-produced children\'s furniture, this little rocker has the irregularities and personality one expects from a piece made by hand in the 1800s.rocking chair made in Hillsboro, Illinois by James George Blackman, circa 1840–1860.The chair is attributed to James George Blackman, a furniture maker associated with Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois. Hillsboro was an established community by the mid-19th century, and locally made furniture from this period represents an important part of the material history of early Illinois.
The chair has the unmistakable character of early handmade furniture, including turned wooden elements, a simple plank seat, hand-worked construction, and traditional wooden rockers. Rather than the uniform appearance of later factory-produced children\'s furniture, this little rocker has the irregularities and personality one expects from a piece made by hand in the 1800s.chair has the unmistakable character of early handmade furniture, including turned wooden elements, a simple plank seat, hand-worked construction, and traditional wooden rockers. Rather than the uniform appearance of later factory-produced children\'s furniture, this little rocker has the irregularities and personality one expects from a piece made by hand in the 1800s.and exceptionally charming piece of early American folk furniture: a small child’s rocking chair believed to have been made inHillsboro, Illinois by James George Blackman, circa 1840–1860.
This is the type of piece that is especially appealing to collectors ofearly American furniture, Illinois history, folk art, and primitive furniture. Its diminutive size and handmade construction give it tremendous character, and it is a wonderful example of the simple, functional furniture produced for everyday life in the 19th-century Midwest.
The chair is attributed toJames George Blackman, a furniture maker associated withHillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois. Hillsboro was an established community by the mid-19th century, and locally made furniture from this period represents an important part of the material history of early Illinois.
The chair has the unmistakable character of early handmade furniture, includingturned wooden elements, a simple plank seat, hand-worked construction, and traditional wooden rockers. Rather than the uniform appearance of later factory-produced children\'s furniture, this little rocker has the irregularities and personality one expects from a piece made by hand in the 1800s.
A Particularly Special Piece
What makes this rocker especially interesting is itssmall child-sized form combined with its early date and Illinois attribution. Children\'s furniture from the 19th century survives in much smaller numbers than ordinary adult furniture, and early examples with a specific regional or maker attribution are particularly desirable to collectors.
This would make an outstanding addition to a collection ofAmerican primitive furniture, Illinois antiques, early children\'s furniture, folk art, or 19th-century Americana. It would also be a wonderful decorative piece in a historic home, antique shop, library, nursery, or cabin.
Maker:Attributed to James George Blackman
Location:Rare 19th-Century Illinois Folk Art Child’s Rocking Chair — Attributed to James George Blackman, Hillsboro, IL, c. 1840–1860
A wonderful and exceptionally charming piece of early American folk furniture: a small child’s rocking chair believed to have been made inHillsboro, Illinois by James George Blackman, circa 1840–1860.
This is the type of piece that is especially appealing to collectors ofearly American furniture, Illinois history, folk art, and primitive furniture. Its diminutive size and handmade construction give it tremendous character, and it is a wonderful example of the simple, functional furniture produced for everyday life in the 19th-century Midwest.
The chair is attributed toJames George Blackman, a furniture maker associated withHillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois. Hillsboro was an established community by the mid-19th century, and locally made furniture from this period represents an important part of the material history of early Illinois.
The chair has the unmistakable character of early handmade furniture, includingturned wooden elements, a simple plank seat, hand-worked construction, and traditional wooden rockers. Rather than the uniform appearance of later factory-produced children\'s furniture, this little rocker has the irregularities and personality one expects from a piece made by hand in the 1800s.
A Particularly Special Piece
What makes this rocker especially interesting is itssmall child-sized form combined with its early date and Illinois attribution. Children\'s furniture from the 19th century survives in much smaller numbers than ordinary adult furniture, and early examples with a specific regional or maker attribution are particularly desirable to collectors.
This would make an outstanding addition to a collection ofAmerican primitive furniture, Illinois antiques, early children\'s furniture, folk art, or 19th-century Americana. It would also be a wonderful decorative piece in a historic home, antique shop, library, nursery, or cabin.
Maker:Attributed to James George Blackman
Location:Hillsboro, Illinois
Date:Circa 1840–1860
Type:Child\'s rocking chair / early American folk furniture
Period:Mid-19th century
Origin:Illinois, USA
Condition
The chair is an antique that is approximately165–185 years old, so it naturally shows age, wear, and imperfections consistent with its history. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the description. The existing wear and character are part of what makes this piece so appealing.
Please note:The attribution to James George Blackman and the circa 1840–1860 date are offered as an attribution based on the chair\'s known history and characteristics, rather than a guaranteed documented maker\'s mark or provenance.
A truly unusual piece ofearly Illinois folk furniture with a wonderful story and tremendous antique character.–1860
Type:Child\'s rocking chair / early American folk furniture
Period:Mid-19th century
Origin:Illinois, USA
Condition
The chair is an antique that is approximately165–185 years old, so it naturally shows age, wear, and imperfections consistent with its history. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they are considered part of the description. The existing wear and character are part of what makes this piece so appealing.
Please note:The attribution to James George Blackman and the circa 1840–1860 date are offered as an attribution based on the chair\'s known history and characteristics, rather than a guaranteed documented maker\'s mark or provenance.
A truly unusual piece ofearly Illinois folk furniture with a wonderful story and tremendous antique character.
