In the early 1890s, before his Old Hickory Furniture Company was formally incorporated, Billy Richardson was selling handmade rocking chairs in the town square of Martinsville, Indiana. His designs used hickory saplings that were the perfect combination of pliable and durable, making them ideal for creating graceful, comfortable and long-lasting furniture. This style of “twig furniture” or “rustic furniture” had become popular with the romanticization of escaping to nature in the 19th century, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains.
Reportedly, a young Richardson and his father crafted seating for president Andrew Jackson, nicknamed “Old Hickory,” for use at his Tennessee home, the Hermitage. By the end of the 19th century, Billy Richardson’s furniture had attracted such a fan base that he joined forces with other craftspeople in the area and they convened to work in an empty church, producing hickory sapling furniture full-time. Old Hickory was officially founded in 1899 and began shipping its signature hickory sapling seating and tables across the country.
Some of the company’s earliest customers were America’s National Parks, where Old Hickory’s homespun style of wooden furniture fit right in and turned out to be a sound investment. At Yellowstone National Park’s Old Faithful Inn and Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald Lodge, the Old Hickory seating purchased in the early 1900s remains in use to this day.
That’s not to say the company hasn’t adapted over its century-plus lifetime. A look at Old Hickory’s archive is something of a trip through American furniture styles of the past century. There are knotted designs from the 1930s, chaises made of wicker (a versatile and long-lasting natural material) that recall early-20th-century resort style and Mission-style sets reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts movement.
In the 1940s, Old Hickory tapped designer Russel Wright to lend his eye to the brand. Wright’s streamlined designs married Old Hickory’s rustic sensibility with a modern aesthetic. After closing in 1978, the company underwent two acquisitions and was moved from Martinsville to Shelbyville, Indiana, where it now operates. Today, Old Hickory continues to offer an array of furniture and home accessories, primarily in the widely loved style with which it began.
Find a range of Old Hickory Furniture Company armchairs, tables and other items for sale on 1stDibs.
1940s Old Hickory Arm Chair With Cane Seating
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s Old Hickory Arm Chair With Cane Seating. Great sturdy chairs with amazing patina to the varnishes surface. This item has been coated with an all ...
Wood
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
H 46.5 in W 18.5 in D 17 in
Old Hickory Tall-Back Paddle-Arm Chair W/Slat Seats
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old Hickory tall-back paddle-arm chair with slat seat and back, circa 1940. Stamped Old Hickory Furniture Co., Martinsville, this side chair is in ...
Wood
Early 20th Century Old Hickory Adirondack Style Rocking Chair
Located in Memphis, TN
An Old Hickory Adirondack-style rocking chair, crafted with a rustic wood frame and woven seat, back, and arms. The chair’s generous proportions...
Natural Fiber, Rattan, Wood, Pine
Rustic Old Hickory Armchair by Old Hickory Furniture Co., Wood, USA
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Queens, NY
American rustic old hickory armchair with slat back above a contoured seat and legs joined by a box stretcher. (Branded: Old Hickory/ Martinsville/ ...
Wood
Early 20Thc Barrel Back Old Hickory Rocking Chair
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine example of a hand made Old Hickory Furniture Co. barrel back rocking chair in fine as found condition.The woven web seating and backing is in original fine condition with a...
Hickory
Old Hickory Adirondack Style Rocking Chair
Located in Freehold, NJ
This old Adirondack style chair features rustic bent hickory wood construction, caned seat, and rocking base. Dimensions: 27w 31d 33h 17sh 27ah Condition notes: Chair itself is in ...
Rush, Hickory
Signed Old Hickory Rocking Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early signed Old Hickory rocking chair is in fine condition with an amazing patina.This sturdy rocker is so comfortable with fine condition to the hand woven seat & backing.
Hickory
$1,036Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 48 in W 24 in D 34 in
1920s PA Hand Made Rustic Hickory & Twig Rocking Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Amish Twig rocking chair from Pennsylvania in good working condition and rustic surface.
Hickory
$3,106
H 46.5 in W 25.5 in D 37 in
Antique American Stick Back Rocking Chair with Distressed Leather Seat Patina
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A superb Antique American Stick Back Rocking Chair of generous scale, with a beautifully distressed patina and a worn leather seat that speaks to decades of use. Despite its primitive construction, it is remarkably comfortable, with pleasing ergonomics and a confident, inviting presence. Made of sycamore with ash rocker runners, the chair demonstrates the honest craftsmanship and practical ingenuity associated with early American vernacular furniture. Its generous proportions, wide, deep seat, stick back silhouette and visible hand-worked character lend it both rarity and considerable decorative appeal. Its primitive lines, weathered timber and worn leather allow it to sit effortlessly in rustic, country and farmhouse interiors, while its sculptural simplicity also complements more pared-back contemporary spaces. The timber surface carries a rich, timeworn patina with age-related wear, tonal variation and surface markings that enhance its primitive character. The leather seat is worn and distressed, adding further depth, texture and authenticity to the piece. An original antique American rocking chair, preserved with its historic surface and materials intact. As a one-off surviving example of vernacular craftsmanship, it offers a sustainable alternative to new production while bringing genuine age, character and material honesty into an interior. Despite its primitive construction, it remains in excellent, sound condition. Want to create that old American cabin veranda scene, take a look at our AI inspired image of this Chair. A striking statement piece suited to hallways, living spaces, bedrooms or covered garden rooms, where its scale and patina can be fully appreciated. It also works beautifully as a sculptural accent. Seat Height: 20-22 inches Seat Width: 20 inches Seat Depth: 21.5 inches Catalogue keywords Antique American rocking chair; stick back rocking chair; primitive stick chair...
Ash, Sycamore
Early 20thc Hickory Hand Made Chair Arm Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20thc Hickory wood armchair. Varnish has been added to this chair for added out door protection to the elements. This is a great folky look for a hand made wooden chair. Won...
Wood
Antique Stamped Old Hickory Andrew Jackson Rattan Adirondack Lodge Rocking Chair
By Old Hickory Furniture Company
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique signed Old Hickory Chair Co. Andrew Jackson rocking chair / rocker. Classic rustic design made from bentwood hickory saplings / tree branches, known for its distinctive hoop...
Reed, Hickory
Antique American Country Oak Ladder Stat Back Rocking Chair Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th Century American Country Rocking Chair. Made from oak with a ladder form and spindles. Features a contoured seat over short supports leading to rockers. Dimensions: 2...
Oak
Antique Early 20th Century Windsor Style Oak Colonial Rocking Chair Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
Bring classic American charm into your home with this beautiful vintage Windsor-style high-back rocking chair. Crafted from a solid oak with a warm, honey-toned finish, this sturdy r...
Oak
Antique Windsor Farmhouse Style Maple Stat Back Rocking Chair & Cushion Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
A lovely rocking chair from the first half of the 20th century. Made from maple with a combination of Windsor and farmhouse styling. Features a contoured crest rail, slat back and ...
Maple
Antique Late Victorian Carved Quartersawn Oak Barrel Back Rocking Chair Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
Late Victorian Rocking Chair. Attributed to Stomps Burkhardt of Dayton, Ohio. Made from quartersawn oak with a heart shaped back, carved and pierced...
Oak
Vermont Tubbs Oak Bentwood Snowshoe Rawhide Lacing Rocking Chair Rocker
By Vermont Tubbs Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Vermont Tubbs snowshoe rocking chair featuring an oak frame with rawhide lacing. Dimensions: 36" x 20.5" x 33"h, seat 17.5" to 14"
Hide, Oak, Bentwood
