Archive for the ‘Antique Furniture’ Category

I’m posting a mail sent by Leslie…

I just purchased a kitchen hutch or cupboard. It looks to me like it was produced in Kansas City Missouri. It says Union Made on the back of it with the number 44. It is a cream color with two glass covered doors and red accent painted or stenciled on the inside of the glass doors.

It does have one drawer below with a red drawer pull and two small wooden doors with red door pulls below that. Also, has 1P51A8 I believe stamped on the back.

Can anyone help me to identify it’s age and tell me anything about it?

I purchased this piece at an estate sale in Arkansas this weeked. This was supposed to be her mother’s piece and I believe she stated it came from her mother’s home before that.

The daughter was about mid 60’s in age so maybe this would help you with age or date produced… It looks like it is either 40’s or 50’s to me but I really don’t know a lot about it besides that. I took a picture of the front of the cabinet and the two stamp marks located on the back of the piece. It says it was Union Made in Kansas City Missouri with the number 44. Also, has a possible part number listed on the back of the piece. I took a picture of that also for you.

On the knobs and the drawer pulls they are a type of plastic maybe melamine?

They have a small metal star in the center of the knobs and on each side of the drawer pull anchoring it through the wood. It is wood construction with glass in the top door and it has two red stencled type decoration painted from the inside of the glass door. If you could tell me what it was called or maybe when it was produced or by whom it was produced that would be awesome.

I appreciate any info you could provide.

Thanks in advance,
Leslie Jackson

In most cases only a professional will know how to date an antique bed. With so many copies and reproductions being made, sometimes only a well trained eye can tell the difference.

However, while you might not get an exact date there are several steps for how to date an antique bed.

If you’re buying a antique bed from an individual, it’s always a good idea to inquire about the beds history. If the bed has been in their family for a long time, they should be able to give you a good idea of when the bed was made.

They may even be able to tell you exactly when the bed was purchased.

Check for any labels or identifying marks

One of the first steps that you should take to determine the beds age is to check for any labels or identifying marks. In the nineteenth century, manufacturers began assigning numbers to each new patent.

If the bed has a number, you can search for it at the patent office to find the manufacturer and date.

Look at any hardware used on the piece

Another excellent way of dating a piece of furniture is to look at any hardware used on the piece. Prior to 1830, very few furniture makers used screws.

Instead, pieces of furniture were held together with the use of dowels or pegs. And, since they were made by hand they won’t be uniform in size.

The earliest screws were fairly short, generally no longer than one half inch and had flat heads.

The tips of the screws were blunt and the threads were barely visible. The slots in the screw heads were all cut by hand, so they aren’t generally centered.

Glue wasn’t used until the early eighteenth century.

Nails

If there are any nails in your antique bed, examine them closely even if you have to use a magnifying glass. The nail head should be square, but not perfectly square and it should be slightly worn down from age. If the nails show these signs, the bed might have been made before 1820.

The circular saw wasn’t invented until the end of the eighteenth century. Before that all wood was cut by hand and there should be visible signs of saw marks.

Often, the cuts weren’t completely straight and there may be slight gaps between wood pieces.

Veneer panels

If the antique bed has any veneer panels you might be able to get a close estimate of the date it was made by examining them closely. The earliest  veneers were made of walnut and were usually about an eighth of an inch thick.

And, often the grains in the veneers didn’t match perfectly.

The earliest pieces of furniture were constructed of solid wood. From around 1680, veneers became a really popular way to add decorative touches to furniture.

They were either cut with the grain of the wood to look fairly plain, or cut across the grain to be more decorative.

Because antique beds were made entirely by hand, they’re not completely perfect. And, since they are so old, they will generally show lot’s of signs of use.

Although, you can find some antique beds that have been kept in mint condition, if it looks almost new, it’s probably not very old.

These are just a few of the numerous ways of how to tell if a bed is antique. If it’s really important for you to know the exact age of a piece of antique furniture, you will probably have to have a professional dealer inspect the piece.

They will be able to distinguish whether you have a valuable antique, or just an older piece of furniture.

An armoire was once considered a very necessary piece of furniture in many homes. It wasn’t until the middle of the 20th century that architects began including more closets into their designs.

Although they haven’t been a necessary item in a long time, today, they’re a much cherished and loved piece of furniture.

If you have an antique armoire or are planning on purchasing one, there are several things that you can look at to

determine the time frame when an antique armoire was built.

You don’t need to hire a professional to get an approximate age of an antique.

First of all, you’ll want to determine whether or not the armoire is indeed an antique. And, there are a few simple clues that will establish that it is an older piece of furniture.

The majority of antiques were made entirely by hand, which means that they’re not completely perfect.

Types of wood

Most antiques will also be constructed of several types of wood. Because it didn’t make sense economically to use expensive types of wood in the areas that didn’t show, the bottoms, backs or insides are often made from cheaper woods such as pine or maple.

Reproductions tend to be made using the same wood from top to bottom.

Carved areas

If the armoire has any carved areas, run your finger along the edges. Antiques were all carved by hand and the carvings should feel slightly bumpy and uneven. If the lines are smooth and perfectly carved, it was done by a machine and is a good indicator that it’s a newer piece.

Signs of shrinkage and the wood darkens

Because wood contains a lot of water, an antique will show some signs of shrinkage and the wood darkens with age. Since thinner panels of wood shrink faster, the best place to look for this clue is around any edges of panels, such as in the door.

If the panels don’t completely fit against the frame, this could be a sign of shrinkage from age. However, you should also be able to notice that wood in the gaps between the panel and the frame are lighter in color than the rest of the frame.

And, there may also be splits or cracks on the armoire due to shrinkage.

Hinges, knobs or handles

Next you should carefully inspect the hardware such as hinges, knobs or handles. If the hardware is vintage, it will have a patina. Patina refers to the discoloration, usually a greenish color caused by oxidation and is a good sign of age.

The wood around the hardware should also be darker due to oxidation.

There are two main ways that almost anyone can determine an approximate date of when an antique armoire was built. You can usually get a good idea from the way the wood was cut and how the armoire was put together.

The way in which the piece is put together is very important in determining age.

Signs of saw marks

Inspect the armoire for any signs of saw marks, generally on the back or the underside. If the marks are straight, but irregular, it indicates that the piece was built prior to 1830. Around 1830, most wood was cut by a sawmill which left straight, more even marks.

The circular saw wasn’t invented until around 1850. So, if there are cuts that have a circular shape, the piece was made after 1850. Also, run your hand over the exposed surfaces of the wood.

Antiques were all sanded by hand and the surface should feel slightly uneven and not completely smooth.

Nails and screws

Another very good indication of age is the nails and screws that were used in the armoire. During the 1700’s, blacksmiths forged nails individually. After the nail was shaped, it was placed into a heading tool and struck several times with a hammer to form the square head.

Between 1790 and 1890, cut nails were commonly used. And, beginning around 1880, nails were produced by machines and had round shaped heads. Screws were all handmade up until around 1815. The head slot was cut by hand and were rarely cut straight across the center of the flat screw head.

WWW.towerbridgeantiques.co.uk The largest antique furniture market in London where you can find furniture from Fine Antiques to Contemporary Chic taking in Victorian, Edwardian, Art-Deco, Sixties, Seventies and Modern. Although known as a trade centre the market has fast become a trend setting store for designers and the public alike. We are open 7 days a week and if you have seen anything of interest on this short video then i’m sure you will enjoy a stoll around this massive warehouse. The video only shows a small amount of furniture available, so please come along and see what we have for youselves. We have clients from stage and screen who return time and time again to find their true bargains. So be like the rich and famous and come where you get value for money. Tower Bridge Antique Furniture Market, 71 Tanner St, off Tower Bridge Rd, London, SE1 3PL

Antique furniture is not finished in the same way as modern furniture, so to maintain it properly requires a different method. Most furniture today has an easy-care finish that only requires a damp cloth or a little polish spray to bring back the gleam. Reproduction furniture may have been finished with something like French polishing that would be ruined by water.

antique restoration process that will not harm the delicate surface or cause any further scratching than may have already been sustained through usage. But some of today’s silicone polishes and finishes may cause irreparable harm and a decrease in the value of yesterday’s fine furniture. However, with proper restoration and finishing the value of the piece can be increased.

Good quality paste wax is the preferred method of preserving antique furniture that has been varnished. In between waxing, dusting with a slightly dampened rag will help to keep the furniture free of dirt and grime. A dry cloth may cause scratches. However if the surface of the furniture has deteriorated, wax may not be the correct thing to use.

Wax should only be applied twice a year and less often on the parts that do not get used so much, such as under the arms and the backs of chairs.

You might be inclined to think that a feather duster would be light and delicate enough to care for the most expensive piece of antique furniture, but experts advise that these dusting aids can actually leave scratches. Besides, they do not remove dust; they only move it around.

Using the appropriate attachment of a vacuum cleaner is the best way to get rid of dust permanently – one with very soft bristles is best. Take care not to knock the piece with any part of the vacuum cleaner or the back of the brush.

To maintain antique furniture it should be kept out of the sun and stored in an area of stable humidity. Attics and basements are not the best places to store antique furniture as these areas are usually either really hot or really cold and damp. Such changes in humidity can cause the growth of mould and/or cracking of the veneer or other finish.

• This armoire is hand crafted and detailed keeping in mind the traditions of vaastu which is the traditional Hindu system of design.
• Ornately carved on the top,3 spacious drawers bottom with brass handles
• The 2 paneled top can be used for displaying show pieces. The door panels are glass fitting
• Intricate carving and a masterpiece created by master craft men of India.
• Exterior dimensions 69″height x 42″width x15″ depth Door Opening width x height

Product Description
Beautifully crafted and hand carved in teak. Each Indian furniture piece is embodied with history and the vaastu art. The carvings/colors on the door signify that ensures the energy of your house stays pure and positive. Very nicely detailed and beautifully done, also at a great value as we are direct importers…. More >>

Antique India Furniture Vastu Carved Teak Wood Armoire Cabinet Teak Jaipur

Product Description
Brass Fancy KEY
Overall: 2-5/8″long x 1-1/4″wide
Shaft: 1-3/16″long
Ward: 1/4″ x 9/32″
Sold Individually… More >>

Fancy Brass Furniture Key

• Hand painted Detailing on the door of the cabinet is so intricate and unique.
• Very nicely detailed and beautifully done, also at a great value as we are direct importers.
• Intricate carving and a masterpiece unique creation.
• beautiful piece of art that show India’s rich culture heritage.unique craved floral motifs and the color of gujrat create an exceptional cabinet.
• Exterior dimensions: Height 50″ x width 32″ {36 with crown on top} x depth 14″.

Product Description
Beautifully crafted and hand carved. Each Indian furniture piece is embodied with history and the vaastu art. This armoire is a very classic piece of Indian furniture.The carvings/colors on the door signify that ensures the energy of your house stays pure and positive.The cabinet is very sturdy and solid.
Very nicely detailed and beautifully done, also at a great value as we are direct importers…. More >>

Floral Painted Antique Wooden Hand Carved Armoire Cabinet India Furniture 50″

Successful antique dealers should be willing to rotate merchandise that has become stale. Be a successful antiques dealer by keeping merchandise new and fresh with tips from a certified estate specialist in this free video on antiques and collecting. Expert: Blake Kennedy Contact: KennedyBrothersAppraisers.com Bio: Blake Kennedy has been the owner of Kennedy Brothers Auctions and Appraisals since 1991. He is a certified estate specialist and a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz

Reproducing Antique Furniture