Comments on: What Makes Antique Furniture Valuable? The Four-Part Test

By: Vance

Vance — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:08:19 +0000

Hi, what about “unsubstantiated provenance”? I have a Rococco Revival Turttle top (original finish, white marble with grey veins and brass casters); I’m not sure if its walnut or rosewood; but I AM positive that it was made for my great great grandmother for a house located at 29 S. Adams Street in Petersburg, Virginia; I have a photographic memory for some things and I had the original order form and invoice for the table and a number of other pieces that were made for the house. It was dated October, 1858 and I believe the contractor was from Baltimore, MD. – of all things to lose but that invoice! I think the table cost twenty five dollars in 1858; Interestingly, the house was torn down in 1954 but I have an oil painting that an artist did of the home as well as all the shutters (shown in the painting) and an iron coal fireplace grate inscribed “1850″ from the house. Frankly, I dislike the table; I am not fond of the mid 19th century style and the marble top is not my taste – its a turtle top – type and its not a very fancy type like a Belter or Meeks; but it has a nice patina, finger molding and four small carved “drop finials on each corner – it rests on a form fitting apron with the familiar c scroll legs that join in the middle to a large central final; I was able to unscrew this finial from the piece and found the number “27″ carved in the wood”; The only significance I can think of is that the property on Adams’ street consisted of two buildings 27 and 29 S. Adams St., respectively – so I wonder if the table was marked for delivery at the former of the two. Anyway, prices seem to vary wildly on these tables – my best guess is that this one falls in the “middle” of the price spectrum – the inexpensive ones seem to be of dark, often shiny wood and have little patina and very sparse decorations; the expensive pieces are very ornamented and heavily carved, often signed; This one has some quality hallmarks but its not in the same league with a Belter. By the way it is about 40″ long, 30.5″ wide and is only not on the sale block because I don’t know how to price it!

Vance W. Washington DC

By: Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:11:38 +0000

Martha – If you can send me some clear photos of the chair I will be happy to tell you what I can. You can send clear photos to me as .jpg files at info@furnituredetective.com. Please send the photos directly to me as .jpg files. DO NOT put them in an online photo album. Be sure to include a copy of your original inquiry so I can match them up.
Thanks

Fred Taylor
“HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE”
http://www.furnituredetective.com

By: Martha

Martha — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:46:43 +0000

I bought an antique chair 12 years ago from an estate sale in Florida. The elderly woman who sold it to me said it belonged to her mother and it was over 100 years old. The arms are hand carved and in great shape. At the time, I didn’t know that I was de-valuing the chair when I had it reupholstered (I knew nothing about antiques then). The heavy antique fabric didn’t fit into my color scheme. There is a tag with a postage stamp on it. The tag says it was refurbished by a Strouss-Hirshberg Store in Ohio. I am sure that it was reupholstered & springs re-tied by the store. I have pictures if someone can please help me.

Do you have any info on this chair? OR do you know where I can start to do research on it?

Please help.

By: Sadie Gold

Sadie Gold — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:20:51 +0000

Fred, as always, your articles are full of information that helps the rest of us learn more about antique and collectible furniture. I keep coming back to this site just to read what you write!!! Keep up the great work that you do educating all of us.

By: Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:17:25 +0000

Robin – I agree about the timing but I disagree with “rarity is fixed.” Once a “rare” item or category is discovered or appears in the market and sells well, suddenly more of the item magically appears.

Rarity, like demand, can fluctuate over time.

Thanks for the comment.

Fred Taylor

By: Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:12:22 +0000

Kay – You can send clear photos to me as .jpg files at info@furnituredetective.com. Please send the photos directly to me as .jpg files. DO NOT put them in an online photo album. Be sure to include a copy of your original inquiry so I can match them up or I will not respond.
Thanks

Fred Taylor
“HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE”
http://www.furnituredetective.com

By: Robin Thorne

Robin Thorne — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:43:19 +0000

Hi Fred,
You correctly stated that quality is fixed, but condition may be able to be improved.
Rarity is rather fixed, or if anything increases over time.
Demand, however, is another variable. Over the years demand for certain pieces or styles may increase or decrease causing prices to rise and fall as well.
Miriam Haskell fine costume jewelry from the 1940s and 1950s was once in great demand, then tapered off in the 1970s and 1980s to become almost worthless. In the 1990s some movie stars started collecting it and prices soared, but in the last few years prices have declined somewhat again
This is just one example.
My point is that timing of when to buy and when to sell can be a tricky factor.

By: Rick @ Antique Stools

Rick @ Antique Stools — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:28:23 +0000

I’ve been visiting your blog for a little while now and wanted to comment on how much I enjoy your work.
I hope you keep posting on this subject.

By: Laurie Lamoureux

Laurie Lamoureux — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:33:12 +0000

Hi Fred,

Great post! We frequently have clients we are helping to de-clutter who won’t give things up because “it’s old–so it’s obviously quite valuable.” I will keep your article on hand for those times we have to say, “maybe yes, maybe…”

By: Kay Fisher

Kay Fisher — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:31:59 +0000

I have four Southern American antiques which have been in my family from the 1800s. They are Arkansas “bleached walnut,” a very rare process which required the pieces of walnut to be buried in cow manure for long periods of time. Very simple lines, beautiful handwork, natural sheen. No repair work has been done of any kind. I have tried to attach my photos to your form, but they won’t work as an html attachment. Can I forward them to you as a normal attachment? Thank you, Kay Fisher