Messages

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: Broken chair-what should I do?

« on: March 21, 2011, 08:47:01 pm »

Thanks all for the advice.  I'm thinking that I'll try the glueing first.  I really don't want to have to remove the upholstery, especially since it looks pretty old itself. 

My next question is: is this chair going to be worth anything when I'm done with it?  My mom wants to get rid of it.  I'd hate to see it get pitched, but if I can't fix it, is it worth pursuing the matter further?

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Antique Questions Forum / Broken chair-what should I do?

« on: March 19, 2011, 03:01:53 pm »

Hello everyone,

It's been a long time, but I have another question for you all.  My mother bought this chair a few years ago at a yard sale.  I'm guessing it's a late 19th century piece (but then again I'm always surprised at how wrong I can be).  One day we were moving the chair and happened to lightly bump one of the legs against the wall, causing it to snap off.  I was amazed at how little force was needed to do so.  It was really not much more than a heavy tap.  I've still got the leg, as you can see, but what the heck should I do with the whole thing?  It seems like a nice chair and I'd hate to just throw it out, but is it worth fixing?  Did the leg break because the wood is too dry and brittle?  Right now it's just taking up space at my mom's house and something needs to happen with it.  Any ideas? 

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: 18th Century Desk?

« on: July 03, 2010, 09:04:31 pm »

I went back to the store and did some more sleuthing.  The screws are definitely machine made.  I'm having a hard time telling how the wood is cut but at this point I'm thinking this is a modern piece.  Based on some other conversations I've had, I'm coming to the conclusion that this is probably a 20th century (1920s-30s) reproduction of an antique piece.  There doesn't seem to be enough variation in the construction to warrant calling this a 'handmade' piece.  The insets where the inlay is missing is  remarkably regular all across the piece and the dovetails seem pretty symmetrical to me.  I've included some pictures in case there is something to give someone an 'aha' moment, but 1930s is the conclusion I'm coming to.  If that is the case, I'm not going to buy it.  While $600 is a steal for a real 18th-early 19th century desk, I'm not so sure it is for a 20th century reproduction, even if it is solid mahogany.  If it was real I could call it an investment or a family heirloom, but if it isn't, it's just a desk-one that is smaller and less functional (it's short and my legs barely fit under it) than the one I currently have.  It's also one that is missing a lot of inlay and needs to be refinished, which equals time and money I'm willing to spend on the real deal but not this. 

I'd like to thank all of you for your great advice!  This has been a great experience, I've learned a lot, and I'm excited to be here.  Thank you also for helping me avoid making a large financial mistake.

Dovetail on drawer


Underside of desk.


Underside of small drawer.


Top of drawer and missing inlay.

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: 18th Century Desk?

« on: July 01, 2010, 10:12:01 am »

Thank you all for your advice!  I really appreciate it.  Few random comments: (1) The original asking price was $675 but he knocked 20% off of it, so it ends up being about $575 including tax.  I doubt he'll go any lower.  (2) I believe the piece actually is solid mahogany.  I don't see anything to indicate it is any kind of veneer.  As to whether it is machine made or hand made, I'm not really sure what I'm looking for there.  (3) Regularjoe2-what does 'orange peeled' mean? (4) Gingertomantiques-what makes you think it looks art deco?  I'm somewhat familiar with the style, but would disagree based on my limited experience.

Again, thanks so much everyone.

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Antique Questions Forum / Re: 18th Century Desk?

« on: June 30, 2010, 09:26:47 pm »

Thanks for the fast response!  Unfortunately I don't have pictures of the dovetails of any of the drawers and I'm not sure that I'd be able to go back and get them.  Out the door I'd be paying a bit under $600.

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Antique Questions Forum / 18th Century Desk?

« on: June 30, 2010, 09:06:36 pm »

Hello everyone,

I'm totally new to the forum and I need some advice.  I saw this desk at a local antique store and am seriously considering buying it.  The owner believes it to be late 18th century to early 19th century American.  Unfortunately, I am in no position to tell for sure.  The desk is 42" long, 22" deep, the writing surface is at 29" and the full height is 3'.  It appears to be mahogany and there is some sort of inlaid strip that outlines all of the elements.  This strip is much lighter in color and is missing in many places throughout the piece.  It has what appears to be brass handles on the drawers and decorative metal band around the feet.  The desk is finished on all four sides, though the back does not have any of the inlay.  I looked for any sort of makers mark or marking of any kind, but couldn't find much.  The three small drawers have the numbers 10, 11, and 12 written on the back of them in pencil, and one of the drawers has the number 70 stenciled on the bottom of it.  The only major flaw I found in the surface of the piece is a hair that seems to have been varnished or stained into the top.  I'm not sure how important any of this information is, but then again I'm a newbie. 

I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me approximately how old the desk is and how much it is approximately worth.  The sooner you can tell me this the better.  Thanks in advance for all your help!









Here is the flaw in the top I mentioned.