![Curly, Birdseye and Hard Maple and Hickory Bark rocker SOLD](http://michael-houston-rockers.myshopify.com/cdn/shop/products/maple_rocker_df8983e2-aecf-490c-a341-b7a1ba6efa68_{width}x.jpg?v=1540669916)
This rock solid, highly developed traditional ladder-back rocking chair with ergonomic back and shaped Hickory Bark seat is #304. I consider the inner bark of Hickory one of America's unsung exotic woods. When green or wet it is like leather, when dry like a pliable, durable wood. A good bark bottom will last many decades of daily use. One of my favorite parts of traditional American chair making is searching the woods for the right smooth bark hickory, felling it with a double bit axe, draw knifing the outer bark away, peeling the inner bark and carrying the bundles out on a bark sling over my shoulder. This snapshot of peeling bark was taken around 1975 at Horse Cove Holler, Madison County, Kentucky. The last photo is amber shellac (to match the bark color) on the shaped seat foundation, before soaking and weaving the bark. Hard Maple is a superior chair wood, for its workability, beauty and high strength. This light blonde chair will age into a lovely rich gold over time.