Wireless Chairs also referred to as Radio Rockers were produced throughout Australia in various forms from the 1930’s through to the 1950’s. The concept was to have a comfortable rocking chair by the wireless as many hours were spent listening to the ABC or BBC news, cricket broadcasts and scandalous serials. Although designs varied the vast majority of chairs were made like our feature chair with round bull-nosed timber arms.
Our client from Northam initially approached us at a furniture restoration display in the York Town Hall during the York Heritage Festival. She explained that she had acquired her grandmother’s Wireless Chair and would like to have it restored, upholstered in a linen featuring an Australian floral design.
When commencing the job we first removed the existing upholstery then using two-pack resin repaired fractured timber and the frame joints. The Jarrah rails were then screwed so the frame was robust and remained square. The Jarrah arms and rear feet were heavily stained and lacquered as in bygone colonial days Jarrah was often referred to as “Swan Mahogany”. These show-wood components were carefully sanded back to bare timber with three coats of low-sheen lacquer applied being sanded between coats then finally rubbed over with super fine steel wool allowing the natural beauty of the timber to shine.
Heavy gauge coil springs situated between the rear seat and the base frame create the rocking motion however we filled these springs with cylindrical shaped firm foam to dampen the motion. The upholstery foundation was kept original with jute webbing fitted to the seat, coil springs laced then tied-down then a hessian overlay fitted and the back also having jute webbing fitted then a hessian overlay. We then step into the present and laminate premium foam padding with bonded polyester overlays which provides superior comfort to the original flock and fibre stuffing. The upholstery fabric complimented the restored Jarrah frame with the result speaking for its self. The chair now resides in one of the grand old homes of Northam and will be enjoyed for many years into the future.
