Val’s Rocker – The foldable Rocking Chair

The origins of rocking chairs are unclear. Historian’s wіll trace back thе idea of attaching curved bands called ‘rockers’ to the bottom of a chair tο North America throughout early 18th Century. It is said that it was England’s North American colonies that actually developed the concept. Later intο the Modern Era and throughout thе 1920’s, folding rocking chairs became an addition to the already fashionable rocker family within America and England. Thеу wеrе commonly used fοr outdoor activities аnd travel purposes.

While this was happening between America and England, in Mexico and during Colonial times, Spanish ships crossed the Atlantic Ocean bringing over European goods, including furniture. Ships will meet shore in Veracruz port and also in Tlacotalpan, a little colourful waterfront town near by.

Tlacotalpan, declared by UNESCO as cultural heritage, has a historical tradition of woodwork and furniture making, specially rocking chairs: Back then Spanish cabinet-makers will train skilled Mexican craftsman to reproduce European furniture, this dating from 16th to 19th Century. A remarkable local tradition that still on since then.

Valentina travelled to Tlacotalpan to learn and experience first hand the traditional trade of chair-making, following the original design and manufacturing processes that have been taking place worldwide for Centuries. From sourcing the wood, to individually crafting each of the components based in actual templates, she designed and built by hand her first Rocker.

Val’s Rocker fuses traditional manufacturing processes, contemporary aesthetics, lightweight and the foldable element, offering a broader scope of use and enjoyment indoors and outdoors. When is not in use it can be easily folded down and stored. The perfect fit to modern living.

Made out of solid Banak wood -finished with natural bee wax, the upholstered seat and backrest are presented in genuine leather, raw linen or cotton canvas with vintage prints. The foldable mechanism locks the seat and backrest together in one simple move. Overall, V Rocker is an evoking furniture piece, cleverly engineered, well designed and with loads of stories to tell.