Child's Arrow Back Rocking Arm Chair
Maker
Pierson Thompson
Period1830 - 1850
MediumMaple, and ash
Dimensions19.75 × 13.25 × 20.25 in. (50.2 × 33.7 × 51.4 cm)
ClassificationsSeating Furniture
Credit LineMuseum Collection
Object number2017.725
DescriptionA small arrow back or spear back child's rocking arm chair consisting of straight rear posts that are flattened or "rabbit eared" above the arms. Three spear point or arrow point spindles connect the rectangular crest rail with a very small square shoe. The front posts include baluster turnings above the seat which also support the simple dowel turned arms. Four dowel turned stretchers brace the legs, which have tapered feet. The rockers are original to the chair, as is the woven rush seat. An old grain painted surface is over an earlier dark finish.Curatorial RemarksPierson Thompson was one of the very few New Jersey chairmakers to produce what were called spear-back or arrow-back chairs. This child's rocking chair, attributed to him on the basis of a documented chair, retains an old grain painted finish and its original woven rush seat.NotesPierson Thompson was born in Monmouth County in 1801, a son of Thomas Thompson and Elizabeth Herbert. His shop was located just south of Englishtown village. Thompson was evidently regarded highly as a chairmaker as a number of young men who later set up their own businesses learned the trade with him. His known apprentices included John A. Clayton (see accession number 1983.429). A 25 September 1845 newspaper advertisement that appeared in the Monmouth Inquirer announced that Thompson made new chairs of all descriptions to order, repaired and redecorated old chairs, and performed carriage and house painting. Pierson Thompson died on 25 April 1853 at the age of fifty-two. He was interred in the churchyard of Old Tennent Presbyterian Church. An inventory of his possessions taken soon after included a lathe and fixtures, three benches, a shaving horse and tools, saws, and stock in the shop, all valued at $31.50.
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