Historic Oak Cradle with Turned Rungs

Details

Description

This historic baby cradle can be stylistically dated to the late 19th to early 20th century and features a traditional, … Read more This historic baby cradle can be stylistically dated to the late 19th to early 20th century and features a traditional, handcrafted design with turned slats and curved frames. The design is calm and balanced, as the surrounding railings, the delicate spindles, and the understated base are formally coordinated to create a cohesive whole.

Historical Context:
Cradles of this type were long considered essential household furnishings and were used for infants and toddlers in bedrooms or living rooms. A characteristic feature was the rocking mechanism, which facilitated manual rocking and thus represented a practical as well as culturally deeply rooted form of early childcare.

Features:
- Turned, closely spaced slats on the long and short sides
- Curved runners with a rocking mechanism supporting the body

Design:
The gently flared frames, the turned vertical slats, and the rounded corner posts reflect the traditional craftsmanship of late 19th-century furniture. Overall, the design is structured more for functionality than ornamentation and thrives on rhythm, repetition, and balanced proportions.

Function:
Formerly: used as a cradle for infants, with a gentle rocking motion to soothe. Today: in addition to its original use, primarily as a decorative historical object, for example in children’s rooms, exhibition spaces, or as an atmospheric piece of furniture with collector’s appeal.

Dimensions in cm: Height 78 × Length 105 × Width 51 / Interior dimensions 90 × 44

Material and condition:
Oak. Used, historic condition with age-related signs of wear; refurbished and maintained; a slatted base is crafted by us and included. See less