Shenandoah Second Wind . . .
Mission Style Oak Rocker
This piece was made especially for Rev. Steve Marsh upon his election as Bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the ELCA.
It is a copy of the number 851 made by the L& J.G. Stickley brothers of Fayetteville, NY. Mission style furniture was a reaction against the ponderously complex style of the Victorian Age, and emphasized clean, strong and simple lines that hearkened back to the designs of the Shakers. Quarter-sawn white oak was used almost exclusively in construction, a wood that was strong, long lasting, and when cut perpendicular to the grain, displayed the characteristic flaking that resembled a tiger skin. It is sometimes called, “waterfall oak”. Theological allusions abound, beginning with the name “ Mission”.
This chair was made from wood salvaged from old barns around the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. In particular, what is known as the Verencamp barn was the primary source. This Lutheran farming family left their acreage to the National Lutheran Home as a donation. The latter in turn sold it back to a local Lutheran family, who continues to farm the land. The occasional nail hole displays itself, and you are invited to remember the wounds of Christ as you look upon them. In addition, the pyramid motif has been used on the ends of the chair stiles, recalling the biblical statement, “Out of Egypt have I called my Son”.
There is one “mistake” that turned out to be a nice addition to the piece. The front stiles were installed at a slightly different angle than plans called for, creating a small incurve of the two arms. It reminded me of the way a mother enfolds her child when sitting on her lap, and I mused that even bishops need to have a nice hug from God now and then.
