Ercol (est. 1920 by Lucian Ercolani)
‘Old Colonial’ Grandfather Rocking Chair
circa 1956-78
The Ercol Furniture family is still headed by its original 1920’s lion, a line-drawn ‘mascot’ who passionately enunciates from the pages of the company’s catalogues its admiration of the iconic Ercol silhouette - whether it be of a chair, table or pouffe. He draws attention to (or rather boasts of) the company’s uncanny talent in manufacturing its pieces as light-weight and eternally fashionable. The particular rocking chair on the left, though labelled as part of Ercol’s ‘Old Colonial’ style, shares unmistakable qualities with its ‘Goldsmith’ range also, pairing together elements underlying (and justifying) the lion’s heartfelt ravings about Ercol’s streamline, contemporary design of the time. Of either beech or elm, this chair epitomises the company’s recurring country house-style theme: it models tastefully the recognisable shape of cottage chairs (which subsequently raised its popularity among Ercol’s more wealthy of clientèle, who wish(ed) to appear modest but rich all the same) and, viewed without its original Sanderson cushions, it is shaped delicately - a nod to both its visual and physical sprightliness.
However, the foam-lined cushions are just as important to the Ercol image as are its wooden pieces, and it is considered by many (myself included) that to own a vintage Ercol without its original linen or cotton fabric pattern (no matter how tattered or dirty) is nothing short of pure frustration, let alone disappointment. The original fabrics are undoubtedly Ercol’s ‘cherries’ topping each of its delicious creations. Many of its cushions accord to the ‘oyster’ shape, as seen above, which fit only the Ercol designs for which they were made. Equipped with snaps, straps and an occasional elegant ruche, these patented pillows offer as much to admire in mid-twentieth century design as do the sleek pieces that they adorn. Indeed, they contribute a great deal to Ercol’s ingrained authenticity. Though, as its proud lion might roar - cushion or no cushion, one can never own too many Ercols!
