Tassajara Designs -Appalachian Ladderback Rocker - In Bocote, Limited Edition Furniture In Stock

Hand crafted in our studio, Appalachian ladderback rockers are built using traditional tools and time-honored techniques. Rear legs and back slats are steamed and placed in bending jigs for two weeks while the wood thoroughly dries and their unique shapes are permanently formed. Then we use a variety of hand tools including spoke shaves and draw knives to refine the shapes and make other components such as the rungs and arms. The rockers are bent glue laminations to maximize strength, minimize spring-back and form a pleasing shape. The chairs are assembled using traditional adhesives and wood dowels where needed for strength. Then, the seats are hand-woven from hickory bark in a traditional Shaker herringbone weave. Finally, all wood surfaces are hand sanded and finished with a satin-smooth hand-rubbed oil finish.

This rocker was made from Bocote. Take particular notice of the back slats, which were cut from a single piece of "birdseye" figured Bocote, a very rare and unusual grain for Bocote. The six slats were"slip matched" from top to the bottom, each showing nearly identical grain. The seat is "ebonized" hickory bark, providing a beautiful contrast with the color of the Bocote wood. The back slats are pinned using genuine ebony with a hand-carved detail.

Bocote is a very hard, dense wood with colors that vary from bright yellow, to creamy whites, browns with black striping. One of the most beautiful woods is existence, it has to be seen to be truly appreciated. Our Bocote comes from Southern Mexico and is sustainably harvested and imported under license from Mexico. Bocote is a particularly difficult wood to work with, making this rocker a unique and rare example of the art and craft of ladderback chair making. We have only one made in this wood. Once it is gone, we will likely not build another from Bocote.