Reproduction?

[hosman321]

Ok guys, I'm eyeballing the heck out of this mirror and really want it. But is it newer than they state? Is it so cheap because of the repairs? I don't mind the repairs at that price. I have been searching and searching online and the eagle and the back of it do look just like the ones from the late 1700's but I just don't know. They have been making this style pretty much continuously for the past 200 years. Ideas?
http://cgi.ebay.com/c-1775-Chippendale-style-Walnut-MIRROR-w-EAGLE-above-/370476233854?pt=Antiques_Decorative_Arts&hash=item56421ab47e

[waywardangler]

My big concern would be how would it get from Pennsylvania to Washington in one piece for only $12.95?

[Oceans64]

Wayward - That was my thought too. I went to the postage calc and if you add a few inches to the dimensions with a weight of 5# you're OK but it seems really cheap and 5# is not a lot of weight for old glass. 

My concern is about the molding. Those who look at 18th century stuff would know more than I but simple cove molding around the mirror doesn't look right for such a highly decorative period as Chippendale. Nor do I recall seeing plain cove molding very often (ever?) - even on a picture frame. I think it's old (by the darkness of the mirror) but 18th century is a good question...

[mart]

Nothing about it looks right to me. Most all the Chippendale mirrors that I have seen were done in mahogany. Cant remember seeing anything in walnut,, ever. Eagle is not right, shape is not right. My opinion is that it is a later repro just using a similar style. I would not buy it as  original.

[hosman321]

Thank you guys! That's why it is so cheap, nobody was buying it. Probably one of the 1890s ones because it does look pretty old. Thanks for saving me the hassle.

[mart]

I thought about that time period.   1890 to 1910   Lots of walnut was used then.

[hosman321]

Ok, these guys seem really professional and I already wrote them about a shipping quote. They said it would be here within 5 days via airport. I think I'm going to get it. Maybe...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120612436526&ssPageName=ADME:X:eRTM:GB:1123#ht_5556wt_947

[hosman321]

Actually, I did my currency converter wrong. I did euros. May not get that one. 

[Oceans64]

LOL - I was just about to post that it's pounds not dollars...  lol

If you want a Pembroke Table they come up at the Seattle Auction from time to time.  I can keep an eye out and let you know.

[hosman321]

oceans, I'm into anything pre-1800. In our area though, I'm sure furniture like that will go for more than I can afford. But maybe I'm wrong.
Ok, last item to ask about. I promise! I'm not so worried about the price because if it is that old, it's worth that much money to me. Besides, they'd let me pay half now and half later.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300518007099&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

[talesofthesevenseas]

I would ask for a photo of the museum reciept, even if they block out the price and there is no provenance. Just so that they can produce something tangible that this actually was a museum deaccession piece. Once when I bought a piece of copper from the hull of the HMS Victory it was helpful just to get a copy of the receipt because the guy had purchased large pieces and made smaller ones in frames out of it.  Same when I bought a ring from a shipwreck that had been part of a larger lot of shipwreck items, I could at least see that they were really part of the sale, even though there was no solid provenance.

[hosman321]

I was thinking the same thing tales, I planned on asking for it too. And on the receipt it would have to say that it was pre-1700. Not just that they bought an old chair with an unknown date. They bought several pieces at that sale though, so I'd have to see what the receipt looks like...

[hosman321]

This was their response when I asked if they could send a scan of the receipt from the museum. Not sure what they mean?

Hi, the receipt is all on individual tickets. Not sure what good that would do. I bought several items from the sale. 3 early chairs, the 18thc iron items, early cabinet, tiles and early porcelain with some etchings that will be posted soon. Oh, one fabulous log cabin quilt with silk. etc. This is the chair I almost decided to keep myself of the 3.
Let me know. best, K

[talesofthesevenseas]

I think my response would be as follows:

OK great, does that mean that yes, you will email me or post a scan or photo of the reciept? You're welcome to cover the price information if you wish.

[hosman321]

I told them they could cover parts of it if they wanted to. Why didn't they just say, "Sure, there isn't much on the receipt but I can email it anyways." It's like they are trying to get out of it. Maybe they just wanted to say they have a receipt but didn't think anybody would actually want a copy. But, I'll try. My questions are listed at the end of the listing, in case anyone cares to follow...