Picked up a 60-80 yr old childs rocker from the in-laws for our 9 mo. daughter, very small, sturdy as hell and painted a light blue I guess–I don’t have perfect color vision–with a flower and wreath detail on the back and a music box under the caned seat that works when sat upon. The paint is in decent shape, though worn off around many edges, a distressed look that my wife likes.
I think it’s the original paint, which brings me to my point: lead. I have no reason not to assume that the rocker is covered with lead paint. The finish looks original, or at least old, and not like milk paint not that I’ve ever used the stuff. Before we took it my wife agreed to let me repaint or at least cover with a clear varnish, now she is concerned about the ‘antiqueness’ of it, want’s me to consult an expert, and thinks I’m a unreasonable for putting it in the attick untill the issue is resolved. All I want is to be a good parent on this one. I finished my daughter’s crib with beeswax and put in an organic mattress, so why should she have a lead rocker!
My questions to you all are: Do you think it’s probably lead? What is the easiest way to test for lead? Would you advise putting over a clear finish (which one?), or repainting, or consulting a conservator? I cannont reproduce the painted detail on the back if I repaint, even though i could match the color. I don’t want to spend any real time or money on this thing, which has a great deal of family value but certainly little monetary value. I’m looking for some backup on this one, or an easy solution. I say, if it’s an antique put it on a shelf and don’t touch it, if it’s a chair, maintain a coat of paint on it and let the little one have some fun. looking forward to replies from anyone who is as safety conscious as I am and has a resume to convince my wife 🙂
Brian
Replies
A lot would depend upon condition of the paint. I think sometimes we tend to go overboard with some of this stuff. Yes, the lead is bad and we know it but is the child going to eat the chair?
In normal use with a vigilant adult nearby, there should be no problem.
It's a rocking chair. Probably more risk of injury from a child mis-using and falling than any worry about the finish.
If it is a valuable antique, then place her in it a couple times, take some photos and then leave it to increase in value for her adult years.
I have an antique child rocker from an greatg,g,g,uncle. It was made about 1830-1840. It is original, with a natural finish. It has been marvellously cared for and we did the photo bit with our children, grandchildren and now a great grandchild.
The little rocker safely resides in a guest room with a couple of antique dolls and an old, old Teddy bear and all are carefully placed away when the rambunctious ones visit.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Why would you assume a youngster wouldn't chew on , especially when teething?
I don't know.......common sense, maybe?
I'm thinking that a 9 month old infant and infants still teething probably SHOULDN'T BE UNATTENDED in a rocking chair anyway. And what is wrong with expecting a parent to say "No, don't do that!"?
The rocking chair might be best reserved until the child is 2 1/2 to 3. , where they better understand that a chair is for sitting upon and wiggling within. By this time they are usually too preoccupied and busy with their world to sit and gnaw on something.
Just speaking from the point of view of a parent,grandparent and great-grandparent.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
...aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
Totally agree. Rocking chairs are mostly for toddlers/walking chilluns. Chewing is pretty much done by a year, in my experience.Gretchen
Assuming that the paint is carried to underside surfaces that are inconspicuous, it is very easy to test for lead paint. At the big box home improvement stores, and likely at good hardware or paint stores, there are lead testing kits. A spot of the chemical is applied and any color change noted. The kits aren't very expensive. I think that's the first step.
Kids that age do chew things--and apparently lead paint can have a sweet taste. If the paint were deteriorated, where dust or flakes of paint can find themselves on toys and other things that kids put in their mouths even more than chewing on the chair it would be considerably more dangerous.
If it is lead paint, even in good condition, I'd only consider occasional, supervised use. If that's not practical, I'd strip the chair and repaint. It shouldn't be hard to find someone who can repaint the design if you have carefully documented the design with photographs, both showing the entire pattern, and the detail.
It's not an antique, which doesn't mean it isn't a valuable collectible. (To be antique furniture must be 100 years or older.) That's not something I know much about.
I love "antiques". They don't have to be real real old--just have good lines, something about them I like, etc. I would suggest that this is a cute child's rocker (particularly with the music box addition) of the 50's or 60's maybe--with that little painted detail.
Children don't really chew on rockers--I have had one for each of my kids. Test if you like and put your mind at rest--or with knowledge. Then I would put a coat of shellac over it and preserve the character of it. If it is stripped, it will look like it came from WalMart and lose all its charm.
The "hundred years old" definition of "antique" is really no longer applicable. That was the "law" made in the 20's to define an antique. Had to date from pre-1820.
Gretchen
Edited 11/25/2007 10:04 am ET by Gretchen
Gretchen..You posted.. That was the "law" made in the 20's to define an antique. Had to date from pre-1820.Thank you my lady... I don't feel so old now!
The 100 year definition is still the applicable definition of antique used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection when deciding whether duty must be paid on imported furniture.
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/legal/informed_compliance_pubs/icp061.ctt/icp061.pdf
It's still sort of useful to distinquish from collectible items, though it varies from item to item. Frankly, a 1880's oak victorian dresser with applied pressed moldings isn't an "antique" regardless of its years. It's still just used furniture unless there is a special source--Herter Bros. or Belter, for example.
Probably and maybe. It is an archaic use now, and I guess the customs folks can do that. Stickley furniture may not be antique, but it is/can be very prized. I can remember when Mission/Stickley could be had for nothing. Try that now.
There are things made in the 30's that are far more valuable than other "things".
I still say that something "old" that is attractive to the person is just fine--and maybe it will increase in value, etc. But I think this rocker is a pleasant "blast from the past" that appeals to the folks--just as many of my "collectibles" are. And it needs to be treated with respect.
I repeat, stripping it will make it a WalMart piece, no matter if you copy the little decorative art to at "t". Been ThereDoneThat.Gretchen
But if it's only value is sentimental, as is the most likely case, stripping makes it usable while lead paint relegates it to the attic. Of course, if it isn't lead paint then there is no issue and it can be used without stripping.
It is true that the collectible value of painted pieces is ruined by stripping and repainting, but a very, very small number of items made in the 1920s, 30s and 40s have any economic value other than the value in use. Most are just old furniture, and don't increase in value other than following the general price index, and decreasing in value the rattier they get and the looser the joints.
It would be a good thing to have an expert determine whether this particular chair is one of the rare exceptions. It's just that the odds are heavily against it.
We are sort of talking along parallel courses here. I am not talking about economic value of stripping this piece--as in a PA Dutch painted piece--in "destroying" authenticity. This is a cute child's piece that appeals to these folks--and might to me --BECAUSE of the "charm" of something already distressed by use. Take this away, and you might as well buy new.
Of course, I haven't seen the piece, but I honestly "know" this piece--it was around when our kids were coming along.
Hope the owner can be satisfied with safety and looks. These designs were usually decals I think. I think sealing it with shellac would still make it safe and useable--as a chair. By the time children are sitting in a rocker they usually aren't chewing on things also.Gretchen
I don't think we disagree very much, but I would note that this is a family whose child is only nine months old. It'll be a while before kids of that age stop exploring the world with mouth as well as hands and eyes. I just don't believe it's good idea to have lead painted furniture around toddlers. The lead driers in older clear finishes don't trouble me since they are so bound into the finish. But in paint, if there is a lead oxide as part of the pigment we are talking about a lot of lead, and about lead that more readily leaches.
Distressed older furniture does have charm, but it will get that way pretty quickly and can even be distressed in a refinishing process. This still destroys economic value, if any, but gets pretty close in the charm department, without needless risk of lead exposure.
Edited 11/26/2007 5:54 pm ET by SteveSchoene
You are right. We aren't really arguing, but I am saying that a 9 month old isn't gonna be in or even near the rocker. Seal the paint (check it first and really lay this to rest). And don't really even count on it being anything but an interesting piece in the corner. Been there done that.
I have my husband's VERY antique wicker rocker in our den. It really is not a big deal, in my opinion. And when this was made, latex paint probably would have been in the production line.Gretchen
Steve, Thanks for the info about lead kits. I think you and I are of the same mind about this piece. If it is lead maybe I'll just shellac or varnish the detail, which is kind of an isolated structure from the rest of the chair parts, and repaint the rest. I don't have any experience with stripping, but I guess the extra effort would be worth it. Wait, my mother loves to paint--I'll take pictures of the detail for her. Take care.Brian
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