Determining the Value of Antique Furniture: Using the Five ‘F’ Words (7/14/10)
One of the most important determinants of value in an older piece of furniture, naturally, is the “condition,” which is … More >>

Mersman Tables: They’re Everywhere! (7/5/10)
Any antique shop that has more than three pieces of Colonial Revival furniture is almost certain to have a … More >>

The Piano – The Ultimate Functional Art (6/21/10)
Furniture is sometimes referred to as “functional art.” In the case of the piano, perhaps it should be called “functional … More >>

Flights of Fancy – Imaginary Furniture Names (6/8/10)
A quick reading of selected world history reveals a number of events or artifacts that are identified with a … More >>

The Real Hitchcock Chair: How to Tell Originals from Reproductions (5/17/10)
Everyone knows what a Hitchcock chair is, right? The small, rickety chairs with the rush or cane seats, usually painted … More >>

The Stick Chair – Introduction to the Windsor (5/10/10)
One type of chair that everyone is familiar with is the ever present Windsor chair. But why are there so … More >>

The Press Back – The Art of Chair Decoration without Carving (4/19/10)
The carving of 17th-century “Sunflower” chests explains a lot about the ins and outs of New England Colonial carving of … More >>

Furniture Labels: Telling the Makers, Retailers and Associations Apart (4/13/10)
Furniture making in America in the 19th century ranged from the small shop, like that of Duncan Phyfe in downtown … More >>

Vanity, Thy Name Is . . . (3/23/10)
In Colonial America, having a decent place to get dressed was a serious problem. Decent mirrors, or even the decent … More >>

When it is OK to Replace Original Furniture Finish (3/8/10)
Don’t touch that original finish! That mantra of the very high-end antique furniture market has been drummed into the collecting … More >>