Comments on: Antique Furniture Tags: What They Say and What They Should Say

By: Donna Ide

Donna Ide — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:11:29 +0000

I inherited a grandfather clock.I don’t know anything about the clock.I would like to know the age,& what type of wood & what style it would be called.I can send a picture by Email.I would appreciate any information you can give me. Thank You

By: Brenda Adams

Brenda Adams — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:52:50 +0000

My husband and I just inherited some antique furniture from his grandmother’s estate. One piece is a large buffet with an emblem on it that we are curious about. We wonder what the symbols represent. It looks like a crest with four symbols. The crest looks like a crown divided into fourths. One the top left looks like a V. The one on the top right looks like a cross,but each of the four parts are equal, unlike a cross. The bottom left has an upside down crescent. The bottom right has another V. The furniture is very old – not sure how old, but his grandmother bought it as an antique. She died at 80 yrs. old and that was 37 years ago. I made a picture of it and could send that to you. Thanks for your help.

By: Mary Jane Debee

Mary Jane Debee — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:04:41 +0000

You are a wealth of information! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us.

By: Rick @ Antique Vanities

Rick @ Antique Vanities — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:45:52 +0000

This really helps a lot!!!! Thank you!!!

By: Thomas Tannler

Thomas Tannler — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:24:01 +0000

I don’t think in fifty years a better time to pick up some great bargains. I don’t think it will last for long. Most dealers are not educated in furniture so take advantage know. With the uncertainty in the world today people look back to time tested designs. Thomas T.

By: Kait Hall

Kait Hall — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:21:26 +0000

Another really good article! I find that the same issues apply to real estate. Bungalow was usually applied to craftsman or homes built in the early 20th century. I see cape cod cottages & mutt houses labeled as bungalows. Like Donald said “Most…know less… than I do.”
That being said, I know I surely learn a lot from all the articles I read on Worth Point’s e-pages. I am so glad I found you! Thanks to each & every one of you who take the time to share your knowledge with others!

By: Siobhan Furgurson

Siobhan Furgurson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:03:33 +0000

Like so many things I think the dark vs light furniture goes with the current fashion. In the 80′s light furniture was the hot item of the day!

By: Peter Falotico

Peter Falotico — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:23:05 +0000

It is true that many “antique dealers” know little to nothing about furniture or antiques and hope we the public know less. I have several pieces handed down from generations and I on occasion will bring in one to an antique store to see what they say. They never get it right!

By: nadine waltman harmon

nadine waltman harmon — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:52:52 +0000

You are so right about darker furniture moving faster than light. I imported several pieces of antique pine furniture from Germany several years ago. I sold a chest of drawers with white marble top and a four drawer tall chest plus an amroire. I still have two large pieces (hutches) and at this market no one is buying. We have had four large furniture stores go out of business this past month because of the economy. From now on I’m looking for dark woods. Thanks for your informative articles.

By: Donald Dyal

Donald Dyal — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:10:11 +0000

I enjoy antique furniture–nay anything old–but I am not expert. Mr. Taylor’s comments are most worthy, but I fear also largely irrelevant in today’s world. Most dealers of antiquities seem to know less about their merchandise than I do, and I know next to nothing. THe cause which he espouses, informing the customer, requires knowledge on the part of the dealer. Here I fear, we are in deep waters.

By: charles sweigart

charles sweigart — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:20:05 +0000

Most furniture is made of hardwood. Softwood furniture tends to be coated with a paint surface. Hardwoods are usually stained and varnished. Darker stain colors hide variations in natural colors. In addition, varnish will turn darker over time and will darken even light stained golden oak, so popular about 100 years ago.

The maple wood is the most commonly seen light wood in antique furniture but usually with a figured grain, tiger or bird’s eye. You will see many dark wood pieces with light wood inlaid but rarely light w/dark inlay.

Buy your antique furniture now, as prices are very low because of the economy. Take advantage of the price break and get some great deals but be selective and shop around for quality pieces.

By: Mark @ bedroom furniture

Mark @ bedroom furniture — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:08:30 +0000

Seldom do I see light wood antique furniture, I think this is because darker woods are much more popular as dark wooden furniture seems richer in appearance and more mature. Dark wood also hides more imperfections so often look as if they harbor no errors.