Antique Furniture Questions

[aturber]

Hello,

I have a piece of antique furniture that I would greatly appreciate feedback about. It is 2 pieces with drawers and a pull out table. I'm not sure if it is a piece to use for clothing or if it is a dining/kitchen piece. I have been using it for clothing. As you can see in the pictures, it has several detailed carvings. Any ideas you may have as to the origin of the piece, what is is called, value, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

A.

[wendy177]

Furniture is not in my area of knowledge but you have a beautiful piece, please post photos of the side of one  drawer open to see dovetail construction, and close ups of  any hardware as these will hold clues to those in the know!!   

[mart]

Could we get an upright view and a bit closer shot that includes the feet and the hardware ?? The pics are dark so  I cannot see it very well !! Have you looked at the back for a name ?? I don`t see the age on the finish that I would expect of an older piece !!  How did you acquire the piece ??

[cogar]

I think what you have there is called a "highboy"

[mart]

It is a highboy with what I think would be a folding table !!

[aturber]

Thank you for input! I posted some more pictures of the hardware and legs. The piece was purchased at an antique auction and refinished as a wedding present. I have no idea how much they paid for it at the auction. I hope this helps! Thank you again!!

[aturber]

Here are some more pictures that are upright. I'm not sure if the hardware is original - it looks like there were previous holes. I hope this helps! Thank you!

[mart]

The drawer sides do appear hand cut rather than machine made. And since it was refinished that explains why I didn`t see the age that one would expect !! In my opinion it is a French made highboy but I cannot say exactly what style it is !!  It has elements of Queen Anne but the large heavy carved feet do not fit in that style. If it were in original condition its value would be substantial and possibly in the thousands. However the stripping of original patina as well as the change of hardware has eliminated most of the antique value. As it is now I would guess its worth around $800. to $1000. !!

[aturber]

Thank you so much. I didn't know where to start. I guess my next question is, what would be the best way to sell it? I hate to part with it, but we are moving into a smaller place where there won't be room.

[mart]

If it were me I would offer it as a private sale !! Just run an ad in your local paper or possibly on Craigslist which would be local to you !!  You would have a better chance of selling it at a higher price !! Were it mine,,(first I would kick those that refinished it),, I would price it at about $1500. !!  That would give you room to dicker a bit !!  Everyone normally asks for a lower price,, its just part of the dealing !!  $1200. is about what I would expect it to sell for depending on your area. Its still an above average piece and I don`t think that you would have much trouble selling it !!  Also keep in mind that this is only one persons opinion,, mine !! I would ask a few others as well. I can only go by what I see in pics,, which is not the best way to judge an item !!

[cogar]

It is a highboy with what I think would be a folding table !!

I didn't think aturber knew what it was called given the fact he stated he didn 't know what it was used for.

And my opinion is that that is a pull-out writing shelf. Tables have legs.

[aturber]

Thank you so much! This is very helpful. I posted it on Craigslist with the pictures I posted above and listed it for $1,400. I received the following email and hoped I could get your take on it. Could this be the possible origin? Any input you may have would be greatly appreciated!

"Your highboy is an Asian import and not French at all. Not that old either.....I remembe r those pieces and for awhile they flooded the market place. If you look at the dove tails for instance you can see they are not the best. A rather poor attempt to make the item look ....hmmm don't even know what to say. LOL  The carving is not the best either and sort of crude. I'm sure you have seen old pieces that have a better patina from age. I think these were in vogue about 15/20 years ago. I am surprised no one else would have said it is definitely not French. Actually more of a Chippendale style. If my memory serves me right taht piece was around $700.00 new."

[mariok54]

Thank you for input! I posted some more pictures of the hardware and legs. The piece was purchased at an antique auction and refinished as a wedding present. I have no idea how much they paid for it at the auction. I hope this helps! Thank you again!!

I didn't chip in originally as a lot of furniture bamboozles me, especially if I can't handle it and sniff around it.  You say that the piece was bought at Auction and then refinished (which doesn't help when trying to date something from a photo) as a wedding present, could you give some idea as to time period?
The pics all seem to have disappeared now.

[mart]

I can`t see any pics either !!  But when looking at it before I saw nothing that would have made me think Asian. Was the person that sent you the email making an offer on it ??  As for the pull out table,, my thinking is,, like  most women the upper drawers, since they are smaller, would be used for undergarments and the table would have been very handy to fold them on !! Believe it or not in earlier times ladies did take care of their undergarments.  Possible it could have been used for a writing desk,, but I saw no space for paper, pens or anything else needed to write a note !! If I had to go to the desk to get items needed for writing then return them all,, I would just sit at the desk and do it there !! 

[aturber]

I apologize- I didn't realize that the pics had been taken down. I attached some more pictures.

They didn't make an offer - just sent the email. I was a little taken aback when I received it. Maybe they are hoping I lower my price to $700?

Thank you so much for the input!