Antique furniture items

[debodun]

Apparently antique furniture is a dead market here in upstate NY. I've posted many ads for various items on eBay Classifieds for my local area. Everything has a least one hit - all except Antique Furniture - zilch hits on those items. Also no inquiries for ads on Facebook Online Garage Sale, Craig's List or local classifieds.

One other thing - why do people only see metallic items only as scrap? Can't they appreciate it for decorative and functional uses?

Can someone advise me on prices to ask for these pieces?
Federal style Bassett dresser with mirror (46" long, 15" deep 33" tall - mirror is 33 x 35"), blanket chest (40" long, 15" deep and 28.5" tall), tilt-top table (Top is 24" x 20", 40" tall when top is "up", 29" when top is "down").

[frogpatch]

I live in NJ and the market is dead here for repro antiques and common Victorian pieces. The better pieces are still commanding good prices but they have not risen in recent years. As the younger generation becomes more educated above pure aesthetics, I believe that will change. Urban and industrial are very hot right now being fueled by retailers like Anthropology and Restoration Hardware. As far as buying, that is a safety net for the uneducated. I will pay you scrap for a copper Arts and Crafts piece any day without worrying about its authenticity. I can't lose. Most silver is worth more in scrap than as antique/art at present but not always. An expert will feel comfortable paying the the premium. Good luck trying to find one outside of the major auction houses and museums. If you feel you have an important piece, do your own homework and get several opinions.

[Rauville]

A little insight into market prices came last weekend at an estate auction we attended. A nice 3 piece antique golden oak spoon carved bedroom set, consisting of a tall (7') bed, dresser with mirror, commode with towel bar came up; the entire set sold for $450. On the other hand, a 4 piece clear pressed glass (Reverse 44 pattern) breakfast set brought the same price!
(My Wife went up to a $1000 on an old Grape Nuts tin sign and couldn't buy it. )

[jacon4]

About the only "brown furniture" that has gone up recently that i have seen is, period colonial. William & Mary, Queen Anne and Chippendale are on the rise or has been since this past spring. period federal? (1790-1830) dead as a door nail and offers very good buy opportunities for those into that period, victorian? even worse than federal. Shaker is about the only 19th century furniture that holds it's value these days from what i see.

[mart]

What were you asking for each piece ??

[debodun]

I was asking $400 for the dresser, $200 for the blanket chest and $100 for the tilt-top table (to give myself a little "wiggle" room).

[jacon4]

Hmmmmm, $400 for the dresser seems a bit much to me, period federal dressers are going for half that around here.

[debodun]

My parents paid $200 at an auction in the 1970s for it. That would be over $850 in today's money.

[jacon4]

That would be over $850 in today's money.

Hey Deb, Yeah but, you cant look at it like that. I can't tell you how many boomers have complained to me about the prices they are getting in selling their furniture collections when they retire and are down sizing, very disappointing. When selling TODAY, today is all that matters, not what it brought 20 yrs ago or what it might bring 20 yrs from now, it's really ALL about what the market is doing TODAY.

[jacon4]

And, TODAY pretty much sucks in the brown furniture market with a very few exceptions.

[mart]

That is why you get no response to the ads !! Irregardless of what they paid for it,,it is just used furniture !!  The dresser here and many other areas might bring $100. the table is a little repro and would sell for $30. in most places and the blanket chest,, around $50. to $75. !!  Things like this sold well in the 70`s or 80`s but not today !!

[debodun]

A local woman did come to look at the dresser, but would only offer $75. I know her and I think she would paint it. Covering that beautiful natural wood finish is a travesty to me. What's everyone into solid pastels these days? I call that "cathouse" furniture. Here are some items that woman had on her Pinterest page:

[mart]

Well, when furniture is not antique and doesn`t sell as it is,, why not ??  Hers look well done !!  This furniture is mass produced except for the blanket chest and would not likely increase in value to any great extent !! Perhaps in another 50 to 75 years the value will increase !!
I know I have screamed about all the furniture that was painted  and I have had to remove but sometimes it is the best option !! Especially with the pieces that are readily found almost anywhere you look !!  At least then someone wants them !!

[frogpatch]

Ahhh, the 70s. When it paid to strip furniture. I have cursed that 30s green paint so many times and now I leave it on.

[mart]

I know what you mean Frogpatch !! It was either that green or something that was supposed to be pink !!  Then came the cream color and then white !! Layers  and layers of paint !!