Thonet Rock
Antique Late 19th Century German Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Cane, Beech
Vintage 1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Iron, Steel
20th Century Czech Bauhaus Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Rocking Chairs
Vintage 1930s Italian Other Rocking Chairs
Cane, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Ash, Cane
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Footstools
Wicker, Bentwood
Antique 1890s Italian Art Nouveau Chairs
Beech, Cane
Antique 19th Century Austrian Chairs
Wood, Cane
20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Wood, Rattan
20th Century German Chairs
Antique 19th Century Austrian Chairs
Wood, Cane
Mid-20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Daybeds
Bentwood
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Lounge Chairs
Beech
20th Century Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Rattan, Wood
Antique 1890s Austrian Jugendstil Rocking Chairs
Beech, Bentwood
20th Century Austrian Rocking Chairs
Beech, Cane
Vintage 1970s Organic Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Rattan
Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Rocking Chairs
Leather, Bentwood
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Beech
Antique 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Cane
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Beech
20th Century Austrian Rocking Chairs
Early 20th Century Rocking Chairs
Vintage 1950s Austrian Rocking Chairs
Beech, Cane
20th Century Austrian Rocking Chairs
Beech, Cane
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Early 20th Century Austrian Bauhaus Rocking Chairs
Cane, Bentwood
20th Century Rocking Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Early 20th Century Czech Rocking Chairs
Antique 19th Century Austrian Rocking Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Antique Early 1900s American Adirondack Chairs
Hardwood
Vintage 1980s American Adirondack Chairs
Chrome
Antique 19th Century Chairs
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Metal
Antique 1860s Austrian Art Nouveau Rocking Chairs
Bentwood, Fur
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Beech
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Cane, Wood
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Steel
Antique 19th Century Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1970s North American Adirondack Rocking Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Maple, Bentwood
20th Century Austrian Rocking Chairs
Bentwood
- 1
Thonet Rock For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Thonet Rock?
Finding the Right Rocking-chairs for You
The phrase “rocking chair” didn’t find its way into the dictionary until the mid-18th century. While most of the sitting furniture that we use in our homes originated in either England or France, the iconic rocking chair is a quintessentially American piece of furniture.
A Philadelphia cabinetmaker’s bill for a proto-rocking chair issued in 1742, which identified the seat as a “Nurse Chair with rockers,” is the earliest surviving evidence of this design’s humble beginnings. The nurse chair was a low side chair intended for nursing women, so giving it a soothing rocking motion made sense. Rocking chairs, which saw a curved slat affixed to the chairs’ feet so that they could be literally rocked, quickly gained popularity across the United States, garnering a reputation as a seat that everyone could love. They offered casual comfort without the expensive fabrics and upholstery that put armchairs out of many families’ budgets.
Rocking chairs are unique in that they don’t just offer a place to rest — they offer an opportunity to reminisce. The presence of one of these classic pieces stirs up our penchant for nostalgia and has the power to transform a space. They easily introduce a simple country feel to the city or bring the peaceful rhythm of a porch swing into a sheltered sunroom. Although craftsmen took to painting and stenciling varieties of the chairs that emerged in New England during the 19th century, the most traditional rocking chairs are generally unadorned seats constructed with time-tested materials like wood and metal. As such, a minimalist vintage rocking chair can be ushered into any corner of your home without significantly disrupting your existing decor scheme or the room’s color palette.
In the decades since the first rocker, top designers have made the piece their own. Viennese chair maker Michael Thonet produced a series of rockers in the middle of the 19th century in which the different curved steam-bent wood parts were integrated into fluid, sinuous wholes. Mid-century modernists Charles and Ray Eames added wooden rockers to their famous plastic shell armchair, while Danish designer Frank Reenskaug opted for teak and polished beech, introducing pops of color with small cushions (a precursor to the bold works that would follow in the 1970s and 1980s).
No matter your personal style, let 1stDibs pair you with your perfect seat. Deck out your porch, patio or parlor — browse the vintage, new and antique rocking chairs in our vast collection today.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify a Thonet rocking chair, look for the company name. You will normally find it stamped directly onto the underside of the seat, arms or legs. You can find a collection of expertly vetted Thonet rocking chairs on 1stDibs.
Read More
All the Furniture in This Organic Modern Soho Loft Can Be Yours
Andrianna Shamaris has filled her epic new home with pieces of her own design.
20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining
Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.
Nobody Puts This Sunny Sofa in a Corner
With its plush cushions, cane details and dazzlingly colorful back, it’s inviting from every angle.
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.