Buying the Perfect Rocking Chair

Using a bending form, Kentucky chair maker Brian Boggs steam-bends the back leg of a rocker.

Philadelphia Style
David Spero makes the spindles for his 1770 comb-back rocker the old-fashioned way: with a draw-knife and a spokeshave ($895; www.vermontwindsorchairs.com).

Contemporary Classic
The most famous design of California woodworker Sam Maloof inspired a generation of chair makers. Last year, one sold at auction in Los Angeles for $23,375 (www.sammaloof.com).

Arts & Crafts Comfort
A rocking version of the popular Morris chair, Stickley's Mission rocker is an easy chair on runners ($3,200; www.stickley.com).

Windsor With a Twist
High-backed and clean-lined, the Waltham Rocker by Timothy Clark is a modern-day take on the traditional Windsor chair ($1,885; www.timothyclark.com).

Rock and Recline
An adjustable back angle means small sitters as well as large can be comfortable in Robert Erickson's leather rocker ($4,900; www.ericksonwoodworking.com).

Mid-Century Modern
In 2002, Modernica reissued the long-out-of-production arm-shell rocker, in the original fiberglass ($335; www.modernica.net).

Shaker Inspired
Another Brian Boggs design has a back and seat made of woven hickory bark ($3,100; www.brianboggschairs.com).