Buying antique furniture
Everything you need to know about buying antique furniture
Image from Anderson WallrockFurniture whose design reflects the artistic values of a given era, forms a link with the past, stands as testament to the artistry of craftsmen and, more simply, is of sufficient quality to have stood the test of time. A celebration of the old ways of craftsmanship – Helen Linfield, of fine antique dealers Wakelin & Linfield, posits: “The past has always been a source of great value and inspiration to designers. There will always be a natural drive for innovation and change but the best pieces of antique furniture will be able to weather the storm of faddish fashion and economics.”
Antique furniture can, however, seem a complex world – one in which a plethora of styles and problems of provenance swirl together. In order to navigate this exciting but at times challenging world, we sought advice from members of LAPADA, the Association of Art & Antique dealers, who can be identified by the symbol of a golden chandelier, which is displayed in their shops and alongside their wares at fairs. Now encompassing more than 550 members, each of which must meet rigorous and exacting standards of experience, quality of stock and knowledge of their subject. Combined, its members cover everything from antiquity to the most contemporary of designs.
1. Buy with your eyes and heart
For a prospective buyer looking to make a new acquisition, there is sometimes a temptation to select furniture purely for investment purposes, rather than individual taste. This involves hedging your bets on a positive change in the market, which can be a risky game – even the experts sometimes come up flat when making such predictions. To ensure that you won’t regret a purchase, it is usually better to buy furniture because you truly like it. Helen Linfield offers some sage advice on the matter: “Once you have established what period or style pleases you most in terms of design and wood, then the next step is to look for pieces which are well made and be guided by the craftsmanship, colour and patination.
If the piece is aesthetically pleasing and you feel it will give you pleasure to look at every day then this is an excellent starting point as the pleasure you derive from it in the future will be your investment.”
2. When investigating an items authenticity, don't be afraid to get hands-on
For the novice collector, perhaps the most prevalent (and well-founded) fear is the possibility of parting with a large sum of money only to later discover that the piece in question is in fact a convincing imitation. When considering an item whose provenance is lacking or absent altogether, a prospective buyer shouldn’t be afraid to give the item a thorough inspection. A respectable antiques dealer knows that this is part of the process, and should have no qualms with you doing so; anyone showing reluctance without good reason, on the other hand, should raise a few doubts. Harriet Chavasse, of Thakeham Furniture Ltd, offers this guide to investigation:
Graham Smith Antiques Regency Gilt Wood Convex MirrorFirst, look for anything that shouldn’t be there; are the top, back or sides made of plywood? Plywood was not used in furniture making until the 1930s, so would never have been incorporated into a Georgian piece.
Similarly, chipboard, staples or Phillips screws are evidence of later construction. Antique chairs were always made with mortice and tenon joints, so a Georgian chair jointed by dowels is not Georgian!
- The next thing to do is turn the piece upside down (where possible!). If it is a large table, such as a diner, I often advise people to take a torch to have a good look underneath. The first thing to look for is almost part of the ‘patina’ of the top: if a table has been used for two hundred years or so there will be a waxy rim around the under edge where people’s fingers have touched the table. This is near impossible to reproduce – if the underside is too clean, or there are stain brush marks, steer clear.
- If the piece is veneered, as a general guide, the thicker the veneer the older the piece is. Veneers were handsawn until well into the 19th century, so were by necessity coarsely cut. They were glued down [always with ‘Scotch’, or animal glue] and then sanded and polished in situ.
Veneers became thinner and thinner as mechanisation increased, and by the 20th century they were literally ‘paper’ thin. - Dates are important when looking at screws and nails. Screws as we know them were not introduced until around 1675 and were handmade well into the mid 19th century. A handmade screw has little or no taper, the slot on the head is very rarely centrally aligned and the handmade screw has a much shallower spiral than the machine made variety. Nails were square cut, with round wire nails not used until about 1900.
- Finally, run your hand over the table top: a new top will have a new finish, and will not be smooth and silky to the touch as with original patination; the grain may be raised, or the edges oddly sharp for a piece of age. As with all areas of antique buying, this is where experience counts; but follow your instincts: a piece that simply ‘feels’ wrong often is, and gradually your eye will become tuned in.
3. More recent pieces can be just as valuable.
Few would deny that a highly decorative piece such as a cabinet, lavishly decorated and many hundreds of years old, represents a highly desirable and impressive piece of furniture. Yet it can pay to keep broad horizons, whether that means across time or category of furniture, as
Alan Hatchwell of Hatchwell Antiques explains: “ ‘Mid-century’ has gone bang, and carried with it is the meteoric rise of interest in large scale naval and military binoculars and aeronautical wonders: wind tunnel models and propellers – specialised but exciting and dynamic fields. Learn what to expect from a great object: the design and the use of carefully chosen timber. The Scandinavians have always been exceptional in their choice and use of fine woods and veneers, and the latest style to become popular, Danish, does not disappoint in this area. Rosewood is a particular favourite of mine, especially when sun-bleached to a golden hue.”
4. It's all in the upholstery
When investigating any upholstered items, take time to inspect it thoroughly, taking particular care to find out what lies beneath the cover.
Look for signs that it has been recovered, restored or refurbished – the original wool stuffing of a chair may have been replaced with more modern but less superior materials, such as foam. Harriet Chavasse of Thakeham Furniture Ltd sings the praises of old-fashioned craftsmanship:
“What counts is underneath the upholstery!” When you look underneath the upholstery, antique sofas and chairs could not be more different from modern pieces. A new sofa, even from a high quality supplier, will be constructed of chipboard, stapled together and covered in foam. They are not built to last. Each joint is handmade, and the frame skilfully shaped to support the upholstery. Modern furniture makers talk about “ergonomics” – the 18th century craftsmen were already practising it!”
Wakelin & Linfield Regency period mahogany and brass inlaid sabre legged window seat
Make friends
When on the hunt for the first time, visit several dealers, pick one or two that you like best and begin to build a relationship with them.
Fruitful, as they learn your tastes and will prove an invaluable advisers, and may well source some some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
A brief outline of the principal styles
Tudor and Elizabethan
The Tudor period refers to the 200-odd year passage of history in which the Tudor dynasty reigned over England. The furniture of the time was Gothic in style, with one easily identifiable characteristic being linenfold panelling, in which a craftsman would carve in a manner that imitated folds of material. The era came to a close with Elizabeth I’s ascendancy to the throne, which hailed the beginning of the so-called Golden Age. Stylistically, influences from the Renaissance became increasingly apparent, with the addition of scrolls, Tudor roses and an advancement in the creation of inlays of differently coloured and patterned woods.
Restoration Period
Oak furniture continued to reign supreme during the 17th century, but walnut became increasingly popular during the Restoration period (1660-1689).
The reigns prior to the Commonwealth saw these solid oak pieces – still richly carved although employing more and more the classical motifs of the Renaissance – become lighter, with an elongation of the bulbous forms of the previous century. The same century saw the simplification of furniture under the Puritan Commonwealth which was then reversed by the Restoration; the continental craftsmen accompanying Charles II were masters of veneering (using a thin layer of decorative grain over a carcass in another wood) and marquetry. The accession of William and Mary continued the influence of Continental Baroque.
Wakelin & Linfield Early 18th century painted Italian commode
18th Century
The 18th century ushered in the Rococo, a whimsical style often characterised by references to the natural world and including asymmetrical elements, the latter having grown out of the heavier Baroque. The English response to the style can be seen in the early works of the famous Thomas Chippendale – who also covered, amongst other styles, the recurrent trend of Chinoisserie.
Mahogany, an exotic hardwood brought home from the new British colonies in the West Indies, allowed for crisper carving than walnut, and characterised the period from 1730. Chippendale’s later designs embraced the Neoclassicism so systematically brought to England by Robert Adam, and it is perhaps the late Georgian period’s mastery of this style that is most notable in English furniture. As its name suggests, it looked to ancient Greece and Rome for its forms and decorative motifs.
Regency
It should be noted that “Regency style” is often used to cover not only the period of the Regency itself (1811-1820) but also George IV’s subsequent reign (1820 – 1830), and drew inspiration from Greek, Egyptian and Gothic styles. This interest continued to be explored well into Victorian times, with various Revivalist styles – including Pugin’s championing of the Gothic – showcased to an international audience at The Great Exhibition of 1851.
Arts and Crafts
The well-loved Arts and Crafts style was a Victorian development from c.1860, with its most famous exponent, William Morris, holding up the value of handcraftsmanship in the face of industrialisation. By the end of Victoria’s reign, the sinuous forms of Art Nouveau, more entirely exemplified on the Continent, had been introduced.
Art Deco
Streamlined and glamorous, the design language of Art Deco is instantly associated with the post WW1 period. Jeroen Markies, of Jeroen Markies Art Deco, explains:
“Art Deco was a period of sumptuous decadence, particularly in the 20’s-30’s, with furniture design harmonising with a luxurious lifestyle by use of stunning veneers, clean lines and attention to detail – without compromising on practicality. It is a style that complements many periods of architecture and this is the reason why it is, even now, a highly sought after style when considering furnishing, mirrors and decorative arts for interior design.
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Visit the LAPADA Art & Antiques Fairs in Berkeley Square, Mayfair from 13th – 18th September 2016.
lapada.org – the online marketplace for sourcing authentic art and antiques from trusted LAPADA-accredited dealers all year around.
How to buy antique furniture: Tips and advice
One of our favorite places to hunt for furniture is at auction houses, antiques stores, and flea markets. But how can you tell the difference between a hidden treasure and something that’s best left alone? We spoke to expert furniture appraiser Andrew Holter to find out.
Look closely to see how the piece was made
Does the piece you’re looking at have drawers? If so, pull them out and look at how they were constructed. That will reveal if the piece was handmade or not. "Look at the side of the drawer—you should see dovetails," says Holter. "And on the inside of the drawer front, where it meets with the sides, there there should also be larger cut marks.
Those are called kerf marks. They indicate where the cabinet maker was cutting out the dovetails in the drawer face to be attached with the drawer sides. It’s sort of the leftover marks that the saw created. You want to see those. They are tell-tale signs of hand craftsmanship."
Generally speaking, the earlier the piece—and the further away from a city center it was produced—the larger the dovetails will be. "During the 17th and 18th centuries, from about the William and Mary to Queen Anne furniture periods, they were sort of slapping things together, and they didn’t have time to make small dovetails," says Holter. "Away from the city centers, you got craftspeople who weren’t trained in the typical fashion of coming up through a heavy apprenticeship in a cabinet maker's workshop."
By contrast, the top early cabinet makers would show off their skill by making the necks of the dovetail much thinner. "As you get into the later time periods, you’ll find dovetails become more refined and then, eventually, you see them getting phased out," says Holter.
If you don’t see dovetails, then the piece is probably held together with nails and glue, which is a sign the piece was made in a factory closer to the 20th century.
Check out the hardware
While you have the drawer out looking for dovetails, don’t forget to inspect the hardware, too. "When you pull a drawer out and look at the back of the handle, you should expect to see a threaded post and a nut securing that brass to the drawer front," says Holter. "If you don’t see that nut and just see what looks to be the top of a slotted or flathead screw going towards the face of the drawer, then that is an indication that the hardware is newer. It’s also a good indication that the piece is not old as well."
Try to find a signature, a label, or a stamp
While signatures are rare on pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries, Holter says to check on the backs and undersides of drawers (which, as we have come to realize, hold a lot of information about the age and authenticity of a piece of furniture!) to potentially find pencil marks or chalk signatures that may indicate who made the piece and where it was produced.
Does the piece you’re looking at not have a drawer? Check either its back or its bottom.
"In the later 19th century right up through the 1950s, you start to see factory-made furniture with stamps," says Holter. "You don’t find many names, but you will find either impressed or stenciled numbers on the inside of drawers, which correspond to model numbers of designs that the factory produced."
Check for damage
Where a piece is most likely to be damaged depends a lot on what part of the furniture is subject to the most wear.
"We love to tip backwards in chairs, right?" So the back of the chair," Holter explains, or "the upper portion called the crest and the center supports, also known as the splats—are the most likely parts to have been repaired or replaced."
Chests of drawers, which can be heavy, have often been pushed around rather than lifted and moved. Holter suggests looking first to the feet for damage and replacements.
If you see cracks in the wood, though, don’t worry too much.
"Wood will expand and contract over time due to fluctuations in temperature and create shrinkage cracks," says Holter. "You should expect to see those in pieces from the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. It’s common, and I don’t necessarily think they detract from a piece’s value."
Know the difference between a repair and a replacement
This may seem obvious, but repairs are when original pieces have been fixed back onto a piece of furniture. A replacement is when the once missing part has been repaired with an entirely new piece.
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Decide how you feel about refinished furniture
There are generally two schools of thought when it comes to a piece of furniture’s finish. The first is that the original finish of the piece is a part of that piece’s history and should never be touched.
"Purists think that the original finish lends to the authenticity of the object, because it has never been touched. The finish is layers upon layers of dirt and oils and grime that have accumulated on the piece," says Holter.
Tell-tale signs that a piece still has its original finish is if the piece looks purple or black in color. It may also have a crazed surface, or slightly cracked varnish. "Think of a surface that almost looks like a tiny alligator’s skin with crackles—that’s what crazing looks like," says Holter. "That occurs over time with the breakdown of the varnish when it’s exposed to heat."
While the original finish may represent the piece’s age, it may also obscure qualities of the wood the cabinet maker originally intended to capitalize on. "Many people argue that a piece that’s turned purple or black with age is not how the maker would have originally wanted the piece to look,’ says Holter. "It would have been shiny when new. The beauty of the wood itself—which may have been used to accentuate certain parts of the piece—is now obfuscated.
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Something to keep in mind, though, is that the original surface brings what Holter calls an "X-factor" to the piece, one that may add to the value of the object. Once it’s gone, it can’t ever be added back, although you can find people who are skilled at replicating the old surface.
Online auctions are okay!
If you don’t have a good antiques store or auction house near you, don’t shy away from looking online. Aside from sites like Bidsquare and Liveauctioneers, many established firms like Christie’s and Sotheby’s offer online complements to their scheduled auctions.
"Traditionally, people like to touch a piece of furniture, feel it, and see it in person," says Holter. "So, it’s very important to trust the seller or auction house you’re buying from. You have to have faith that the seller will accurately tell you a piece is authentic and if there have been any repairs or replacements made."
Still feel apprehensive about just going off pictures? Train your eye by doing a little research on furniture styles.
Holter likes the book The New Fine Points of Furniture (Crown, 320 pages) by Albert Sack.
Always buy what you love
"You shouldn’t treat these things as investments," says Holter. "Value can fluctuate just like stocks and bonds—just because these are antiques and they are old does not mean the value will constantly increase."
But after checking the piece thoroughly, considering its age and checking for dovetails and original hardware, what’s the ultimate piece of advice? "The most important point is: buy what you love," says Holter. "Because you gotta live with it!"
Favorable purchase of antique furniture in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region
Furniture items are products that perform decorative and practical functions, without which it is impossible to equip life. They are closely related to architecture, as they are a "moving" component of the interior. Furniture products made several decades or centuries ago are of interest not only to collectors, but also to designers.
If you want to sell antique furniture that has become irrelevant or “superfluous” for you, we recommend that you contact the Retro World company.
How expensive and hassle-free to sell antique furniture?
Every owner of a valuable rarity should know that in the antiques industry there are many scammers and dishonest resellers who have a persistent desire to get rich at the expense of others. This is done simply: by lowering the real price of the product.
The specialists of the company "Retro Mir" always objectively evaluate each lot, offering the highest possible price for a particular product. If you have a decent copy and you want to sell it, take some photos and send them to us.
If the item is really an antique, has a cultural, historical value and is capable of arousing interest among collectors, then our expert will contact you and arrange a personal meeting. Of course, the seller is given the approximate cost of a piece of furniture, which can be adjusted depending on the results of a personal inspection.
Export of furniture is carried out by the company "Retro Mir", payment - in cash. You can send photos right now in any available way. The offer is relevant for residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
What antique furniture can sell for a record high price?
- Issued before 1850 . Also, of interest are products made in certain periods: from 1850 to 1917 and from 1918 to 1950. Furniture made 70 years ago and later is inexpensive, with the exception of exclusive samples of high artistic value and made to order.
- Containing structural elements, made from precious woods . This is an array of oak, maple, walnut, wild cherry, elm, mahogany and ebony.
- Decorated with ornamental, precious and semi-precious stones, elements of precious metals and valuable alloys. The presence of silver and gold painting, as well as other expensive finishes increases the price of . But at the same time, the safety and completeness of decorative details is of no small importance.
- In good technical and aesthetic condition, which does not require restoration work. Traces of mold, mechanical damage and other defects reduce the price. For upholstered furniture, the condition of the upholstery, as well as the internal filling, must be taken into account.
- Belonging to a famous person or taking an indirect part in any significant historical events. These facts must be documented.
- Made by a famous craftsman or furniture factory.
- Decorated with carvings, stucco and mosaics , as well as having complex elements in the structure, for example, legs of a saber-shaped or curved shape.
Highly artistic furniture, well preserved and of historical value, has every chance of being sold at a record price! Buying antique furniture allows you to earn extra money on household items that have ceased to fulfill their functional purpose. Send us a photo of the item and we will contact you as soon as possible!
The history of the appearance of furniture
The art of furniture originated a long time ago.
Ancient Egyptian furniture samples have survived to this day, which were used in everyday life by the pharaohs and persons close to them. These are tables (both on four legs and on one, with a round top), stools, chairs, thrones, beds and chests made of wood and richly decorated with ivory, gold, malachite, bronze and precious stones. The main pieces of furniture were at the disposal of all the inhabitants of Ancient Greece and Rome. But the appearance of the product depended on which social stratum the person belongs to.
The archaic era gradually gave way to the classics. But what is interesting: not a single piece of furniture that was used in the Byzantine Empire has survived!
In medieval Europe, the furniture traditions of antiquity did not take root. Therefore, the development of this art form went in a different direction. Products differed in simplicity and a certain "rudeness". Classical examples are trestle tables and stools that looked like tree stumps.
There was little furniture both in palaces and in the dwellings of ordinary people.
It was primitive and not very convenient to use, but served several functions. For example, a spacious chest is a storage for things, a table, a bed and a chair. The chest, mounted vertically, is the prototype of the wardrobe.
"Furniture" revolution
It happened in Europe in the second half of the 13th century, which was greatly facilitated by new fashion trends and useful inventions in the form of a two-handed saw and a number of other tools. The design of the furniture has changed, making it lighter and more elegant, but durable. Several specialists were involved in the manufacturing process: a carpenter, a carver, a locksmith, a painter, a gilder, a bone cutter, etc. It was during this period that Gothic-style furniture appeared, which existed almost unchanged until the 15th century.
The formation and development of furniture art in Europe and Russia took place in different ways. Italy, Holland, Germany contributed to this process. The craving for comfort, the desire to surround yourself with beautiful things, fashionable architectural trends have led to the rapid development of furniture art.
Furnishings were simple and complex, "overloaded" decorative elements, massive and almost weightless, etc. In addition, new items appeared: bureau cabinets, credential supplies, bunk cabinets, bookcases, cupboards, new type chairs and much more.
Furniture in Russia
It can be judged not only by images, but also by samples that have survived to this day. Of course, these are not medieval furnishings, but "remakes" of the twentieth century, having a similar configuration and still found in village houses. These are benches, stools, movable benches, rectangular tables with four legs.
Fashion trends typical of Europe quickly gained popularity in Russia as well. But at the same time, it cannot be argued that furniture products for the “cream of society” and ordinary people were not made in Russia. It was produced, and in quantities sufficient to meet consumer demand.
Production was carried out by individual craftsmen, carpentry workshops, furniture factories and artels.
Designs and configurations varied with the era. There are names for pieces of furniture that are not used now, but at one time they were very popular. For example, a bureau is a desk with a sliding board, above which there are open and closed shelves. The bureau is a prototype of a "schoolchild's corner" or a multifunctional computer desk. A canape is not only a miniature sandwich or a tiny snack on a skewer, but also a small sofa with thin legs.
About the styles of antique furniture
Timeless beauty, elegance, organic lines - these are the main advantages that antique furniture has. Antiques can be sold very profitably if you have at least minimal information about the furnishings, and also subject to cooperation with a respectable buyer. It is worth noting that all antique chests of drawers, wardrobes, armchairs and other products are divided into styles, which, in turn, consist of several directions. Style is a phenomenon characteristic of a particular era.
The most interesting are:
- Romanticism . The most boring style in terms of design, which has never been distinguished by special decorative delights. Products corresponding to this style were made not only in the 11-13th century, but also much later.
- Gothic . Furniture made in the Gothic style is more “live”, as it contains carved elements and is distinguished by the accuracy of geometry. Separate ideas were successfully applied by master cabinetmakers in later periods.
- Renaissance . The Renaissance (13th-17th centuries) brought diversity to architecture and art in general. The Renaissance style originated in France, but the Italians had a special influence on the appearance of furniture. Dynamism and underlined forms are the main feature of Renaissance furniture. The number of surviving copies is minimal.
- Baroque . The most luxurious style, which is sometimes called the "whipped cream era". The task of furnishings in the 17th-18th centuries.
- demonstrate the level of prosperity of the owner of the dwelling and provide him with comfort. Baroque ornaments are complex and delicate, so high-class masters were engaged in their creation. Products were made of precious wood and very richly decorated. - Rococo . Furniture from the reign of Louis XV was distinguished by eccentricity and originality. It was clearly overloaded with decorative elements and had a complex shape with a large number of curved lines. Products made during the reign of Louis 16 were much more modest.
- English Empire is an eclectic style in which elements borrowed from different eras peacefully coexist. The furniture of that time had its own distinctive features. For example, handles were made in the form of rings, on which a cast lion's head was often present. Brass legs were presented in the form of paws of animals and birds. Wooden carvings abounded with mythical creatures and characters.
- Victorian is a unique mix of Classicism, Neo-Gothic and Rococo.
Victorian furniture was decorated with metal appliqués, mosaics and wood carvings. - Modern . In this style, straight lines are perfectly combined with curved ones. A certain pragmatism and realism are felt in the works of furniture craftsmen of that time. Products were often decorated with floral ornaments.
- Art Deco is essentially an "improved" Art Nouveau, characterized by the use of rare materials. For example, especially valuable species of wood, velvet, crocodile, snake skin. Such pieces of furniture are still highly valued because they are the epitome of luxury.
It is noteworthy that at the beginning of the 20th century there was a fashion for antique furniture made in different historical eras. Therefore, large factories produced products in different styles. The emergence of such fashion trends is associated with a decline in the artistic quality of furniture produced in the second half of the 19th century. In addition, the emergence of new technologies has made it possible to establish the production of simple and durable products.
Currently, you can find furnishings made in different styles. Such things were made by orders of wealthy people - merchants, nobles, industrialists who did not want to spoil the chic interiors of their homes with serial furniture with a weak aesthetic component.
Why is antique furniture in demand?
It would seem that furniture production is stable and offers a variety of products to potential buyers. But buying antique furniture will be relevant until the last item made in the first half of the 20th century or earlier disappears from the face of the Earth. The secret of the popularity of antique furniture lies in its quality and appearance. Comparing an antique chair to its modern counterpart is like comparing a denim T-shirt to a synthetic counterpart. You can fake the appearance of any thing, but the tactile sensations cannot be faked, as well as the feelings that the possession of a rarity causes!
Modern furniture is rarely made of solid wood, because natural wood has long been found an alternative in the form of chipboard, laminated chipboard, MDF.
Foam rubber and synthetic winterizer are used as internal filling, and not dry grass, wool, fluff or horsehair. Such products can be potentially dangerous because they are made from non-natural materials.
Antique furniture is valued for its beauty and safety, as well as those inexpressible feelings that arise in each of its owners. If you have such products, but you are not enthusiastic about "this junk", then sell them to us! Because we can find people interested in the things you want to get rid of!
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We have the largest collection of exclusive antique furniture in Nizhny Novgorod, which has passed through the hands of our restorers. The specialists of the store will help you choose and fit into your interior this or that antique item. 
