Little Old Chair

[hosman321]

You guys (and gals) are all so great about helping me in my obsessive times. I just can't stand it when I don't know something. But at least I'm learning what to look for. Here's some pics of tool marks. They just kind of go in every direction (like chiseling?) and parts are really "rippled." Of course, they don't accurately date it either, anybody can chisel wood at any time. 
Rippling in the third pic. Hard to capture.

[waywardangler]

Those rough tool marks show age and hand use.  I do not see any circular saw marks in those pics.  "Anybody can chisel wood at any time" is correct but it is much, much easier and faster to rip wood on a table saw and finish with a planer/sander than to do it by hand.  Years and years ago, hand tools were the only method to cut and final shape wood thus the inquiry about tool marks.

[hosman321]

Oh my God, almost the EXACT same dimensions. Give or take half an inch. I am going to write and see how theirs are constructed. I really hope they say theirs are made with modern hardware because they have 5 of them. Then I'll know theirs are copies. If theirs are made with the same construction as mine then I'll know mine is a reproduction (since they have 5) and I'll be heartbroken!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Wooden-Child-Chair-OAK-Childs-School-Chair-WHITE-/220652263759?pt=Folk_Art&hash=item335fe6594f
Their paint job does appear to be "distressed" rather than genuine wear. But still...

[hosman321]

More from the same seller. Found in China. NOT GOOD! But theirs do appear to have a solid seat (mine is 3 boards), smooth wood and I can't see mortise joints. Could those chairs be repros of a chair like mine? Or was my chair seriously made in the 1980's?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Wooden-Child-Chair-OAK-Childs-School-Chair-BLUE-/290463494680?pt=Folk_Art&hash=item43a0f93218

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Wooden-Child-Chair-OAK-Childs-School-Chair-YELLOW-/290463718441?pt=Folk_Art&hash=item43a0fc9c29

Also, the top middle wood piece is exactly the same on all of their different color chairs, my piece right there is a bit bigger.

[sapphire]

hosman, in looking to see if I could find another like yours this came up..

http://www.weylandts.co.za/products/chair

But scant info listed.

[hosman321]

That just really infuriates me. Looks exactly like mine and has mortise joints. The three wood pieces on back are a bit wider on that one but probably the same company. China is the dreaded word. And I'm starting to think this was made in China recently as a forgery. GRRRRR!

[hosman321]

Wait, I'm confused. Is that a website for brand new items,  like they have many of those? Or is it only one?

[sapphire]

It's in their 'Antiques' section........what ever that means   Still looking !!

[hosman321]

I'm having a hard time believing their antiques because they list a specific item but then say it will vary with imperfections. That's odd, why would they have multiple primitive buffets with 3 drawers?
http://www.weylandts.co.za/products/long-buffet-table-with-3-drawers
I still think mine's a repro made by those jerks in China just to fool people. Man, this chair would be a great forgery, it just feels so so old when I hold it and had me so convinced. 

[sapphire]

Worthpoint show 'that' chair in all the rainbow colors showing up from 2006 onwards......likely the same ebay seller you posted links to. 

Starting on Page 8, more on 9 and then two full pages of further listings......

http://www.worthpoint.com/inventory/search?offset=70&max=10&query=childs+chair+oak&categoryurl=&img=yes

But the age yours appears to show isn't something that could easily be reproduced.

[hosman321]

Pegged together, too. Sigh. 

[sapphire]

Still searching for 'happier' results 

[hosman321]

Me too. Not happening though. 
I may still take it with me in November to see what they think. At least they can teach me somethin'. Seems really hard to fake the age I see in person. If it turns out to be a modern chair, I'll definitely never buy anything wooden again. I'll stick to things that can't be faked or buy from a reputable place. There was a reason it didn't get snatched up on ebay. We need to just cut off all trade with China, all they send us are poisonous toys and fake antiques.
Thank you for all the effort Sapphire. This is why I didn't give up on this thing, I had to know if it was new or 150 years old.

[waywardangler]

Hosman, maybe it is a genuine old Chinese child's chair which would explain some of the crude construction techniques.  Everything from China is not junk, just the modern stuff made to look old.  China has become the 'new' Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, etc.

[Skinny]

If this chair is new, then someone put a ridiculous amount of time and effort into distressing it. It's very convincing. That seems like a whole lot of work for something that just sells on ebay for 9.99 plus shipping. That's not a good payoff for all that trouble. Also, I don't see why the L brackets and glue would have been added unless they were a genuine repair, so that it could still be used, not just another thing to make it look beat up. I think it's real.