Antique of the Week: Eastlake-Style High Chair/Rocker

As everyone in Kensington knows, Antique Row is one of the community’s points of pride. Howard Avenue and its side streets are lined with shops specializing in antique furniture, rugs, vintage toys, used books and more. This large presence in the community sparked our feature, Antique of the Week, where we will showcase a different item or curiosity each week to bring attention to pieces from the past.

This week, we’re featuring a late Eastlake-style high chair. Sandra Ellington, the proprietor of , said that the carvings on the back of the chair are the hallmarks of the Eastlake style, which was developed by the English architect Charles E. Eastlake.

Eastlake’s style was a contrast to the curved shapes of the French Baroque Revival styles. The style became popular in the United States after Eastlake's book "Hints on Household Taste in Furniture, Upholstery, and Other Details" was republished in this country in 1872. The book was later reprinted six times.

Because the high chair dates to about 1880, Ellington said that it is considered late Eastlake style. Ellington said this particular high chair serves multiple purposes. It can function as a rocker, walker, high chair and chair at the dining room table.

It can be used until a child is 3 years old. Ellington added that the chair is most likely made of local walnut, and the padding on the backboard is pressed caning, not woven. Ellington described caning as a process where sheets of cane wood are soaked in water and have glue added to them. The spine is then pressed into the backboard.

You can purchase this baby high chair/rocker for $650 at Onslow Square at 4125-4131 Howard Ave. Ellington can be reached at 301-530-9393.