This antique rocking chair is painted a matte black and sealed for protection. I lightly distressed the arms where they would show natural wear as well as other specific points.
When I found this old gal, I knew she was going home with me for a makeover. Her gorgeous details were buried in years of dirt, and she had battle scars from being about a century old. 
I gently cleaned her up, made a few repairs to the veneer, tightened up the screws, and repaired her joints before I painted her in a matte classic black. The details look amazing in their original wood stain color.
I did not restore her to her former glory, I left some charming character marks she earned over the years.  I love when old furniture tells a story, and this old gal certainly does. 
Measurements: the seat is 19.25" at its widest point x 36" tall x 31.5" deep (at the rockers)