January 22nd, 2012 — Antique, Antique Chairs, Antiquities, Collectible, Furnishings, Furniture, Victorian Furniture
Though its peak popularity was during the late 19th century in America, Victorian furniture still holds quite an appeal for many people today. This style of furniture is distinguishable by the time period in which it was created and the methods that were used. The name is given to furniture made during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1836 to 1901, though that time period actually gave way to different styles of furniture that all fell under the umbrella of “Victorian.”
Early Victorian furniture pieces were done in the Rococo style, which copied this period in France. This style is recognizable by the many intricate carvings in the wood. Extensive scrollwork, flowers and animals decorated the furniture—sometimes every inch of it. Scroll feet were very popular in these Rococo revival pieces, as were cabriole legs, which were legs shaped almost like an ‘S.’ Rococo pieces were ornate in a way not commonly seen in American furniture, but these pieces became very popular in American homes.
The newly created mechanical tools that allowed these ornate scrolls and carvings were responsible for much of the intricacy of early Victorian furniture, as was craftsmen’s new ability to used laminated wood. During lamination, one-inch thick stripes of rosewood were glued together to make wood that was 6 to 18 layers thick. Solid wood wasn’t the best medium for detailed engravings and carvings, but the lamination procedure lent itself well to the rococo style.
This Victorian furniture also marked the first time furniture was sold in America in sets, with matching pieces, and the first time furniture was mass produced. Though rococo style is probably the most recognizable style of furniture from this era, gothic style was popular too, with its more medieval look. Most gothic revival Victorian pieces were produced from about 1840 to 1865. Renaissance revival style reigned from about 1860 to 1875, with highly polished and parquet patterned furniture, often featuring brass findings and ornaments to give it a distinctive style.
Victorian furniture was popular in every room of the home, from the bedroom to the dining room, and still enjoys popularity today with antique lovers and interior decorators. Antique pieces can range in price from the reasonable to the expensive, depending on the rarity of the style and the condition of the furniture. If you find an antique piece for sale, be sure to ask whether or not is has been refinished or reupholstered as you’ll want to purchase furniture as close to its original condition as possible to make a good investment.
If it’s the beauty of Victorian furniture you’re after more than the value, then these things matter less. You might even want to look into reproductions. Either way, be sure that the joints are sturdy and the item is in overall decent condition. A refinished and reupholstered piece of this furniture can look gorgeous in your home, so if you don’t mind doing that yourself or having it done, a piece in less than perfect condition might be a great purchase for you.
Originally posted 2008-12-06 14:00:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 21st, 2012 — Antique, Antiquities, Collectible, Furnishings, Furniture, Secretary Desk
When you’re shopping for antique desks, a secretary desk is just one of the many different styles of furniture you’ll find. There are standard desks, of course, elaborate (and now amazingly expensive) Wooten desks, old rolltop desks and variations on all of those. How do you tell the difference between these types of desks and secretary desks?
A secretary desk is distinctive from all these, even though it does have similarities to them all, because of the way the writing area is disguised when the desk is not in use. When the area is covered and the desk is closed, it’s closed off by a piece of flat wood that usually sit an angle when it’s closed. Sometimes this angle is as much as 45 degrees. The rolltop desk has the cover that actually rolls up into the desk, and the Wooten desk very rarely has a flat front, the front is usually curved, carved and very elaborate.
The size of a secretary desk can vary a great deal. The more modern reproductions or even less antique secretary desks tend to be smaller than the ones a hundred years old or more. Many of these desk are quite tall and very heavy. Newer ones might even be built in such a way that they can easily be taken apart, but antique desks were built solidly as a single piece of furniture meant to stay together for hundreds of years.
The hinged panel that hides the open area within the desk actually creates the actual writing surface. There are typically wide drawers on a secretary desk, and sometimes small drawers and small cubbies on the piece of furniture as well, to allow storage for a variety of different items. Older secretary desks might have a tall bookcase above the writing area or even a glassed-in bookcase or set of shelves. The top of these desks often look more like a china cabinet or a curio cabinet than anything belonging on a desk, and when the desk area is closed, it does often look like nothing more than a piece of display furniture.
Unlike a rolltop desk or other type of desk where the panel slides into the desk, everything must be removed from the writing area in order to close the desk, which makes the needs for the drawers and cubbies apparent. While a Wooten desk is similar to a secretary desk, a secretary desk has a more plain appearance. It will look more like a nice curio cabinet, china cabinet or even armoire or dresser on top, with drawers and the hidden work surface below.
Wooten desks are similar to these desks but they simply have a more fancy appearance—and typically sell for thousands of dollars. Secretary desks are the most prevalent type of antique desk available today, a type of desk once so popular it was commonly referred to as simply “a secretary.” You can find an antique secretary desk in antique shops, at flea markets and in online auctions like eBay.
Originally posted 2008-11-15 05:00:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 20th, 2012 — Antique, Antique Door Lock, Antique Doors
The look of antique furniture and hardware can lend such old-fashioned charm to a room, so it’s no wonder than an antique door lock is a popular item that can look great in all but the most modern décor. Someone searching for this specific type of antique hardware may be in for a few challenges, but you have choices between the actual antique pieces themselves or very authentic reproduction pieces that probably cost a fraction of the price and are more readily available. Replicas also automatically come in good, working condition without the problems that can be found in some antique locks like rust and wear.
One of the most important things you need to do before you purchase an antique door lock is to know the measurements of your door, and the size of your current doorknob. You’ll need to do a lot of research to find locks that match the style and finish you have in mind. Find some examples online and print the photos for reference, especially if you plan on shopping locally and/or in person rather than online. Cruise collector and antique sites and you’ll probably find people with similar interests, maybe even looking for the same type of lock you are. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find someone who has purchased one and installed it, and can give you advice from experience to make the process easier for you.
It’s important to know the kind of door you have and whether an antique door lock of your choice will even work with your door. Sometimes it’s necessary to replace your door with something that will work. If you don’t want to go that far, then research antique locks a little more and you’ll probably find hardware and fittings that are very close to your original vision that will work with your existing set-up and fit into your budget. The compromise will likely be minimal.
Places like Craigslist for your area and online auctions, specifically eBay, are a great place to look for antiques, especially if you don’t live in an area with a wide variety of antique and vintage shops to choose from. Don’t just search on the term “antique” though, or you’ll be faced with thousands of choices. Try “antique door lock” and then narrow it down from within those results to the specific type you’re looking for. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find it at first. Auctions are dynamic, with new ones going up every day. Keep trying.
Call ahead to antique shops, especially those that are quite a drive, to see if they have what you’re looking for. Know exactly your desired design and finish to make your searching easier, both in person and online. If you can’t find the exact antique door lock you want or it turns out to be more than your budget can bear, replica and reproduction door locks are a popular choice. Many of the reproductions can’t be distinguished from the originals with anything less than a thorough examination.
Photo Credits: AdamCaudill
Originally posted 2008-10-30 05:00:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 18th, 2012 — Antique, Antique School Table, Antiquities, Furniture
If you’re looking for antique furniture like an antique school table or desk, one great place to find these items is estate auctions. While you can find antique furniture in online auctions like eBay, you need to be very savvy about the purchases you make–just because something looks antique doesn’t mean it is. There are entire stores where you can purchase antique reproductions, after all, and own something brand new that looks like it was crafted 100 years ago. So those auctions that claim to be for antique furniture and antique school desks should be able to offer more than just the claim of “antique” to prove that the item really is an authentic antique.
Your reasons for wanting to find an antique school table have much to do with how you should go about purchasing one. If it’s merely the look you’re after, a certain style or type of manufacture, then you might decide to buy a reproduction. Reproduction antiques are less expensive and have an appearance very similar to the originals they’re modeled after. If it’s a sentimental quest because you remember how something looked or felt, or because maybe a grandparent or older relative had one that has become lost and you’d like to have that same piece, consider purchasing a reproduction.
But if you’re set on a real antique school table, then you’re going to need to do some homework. You can probably walk into most antique stores today and find something to suit you, but if you’d rather pay less than the antique store price and enjoy the hunt for a piece that speaks to you personally rather than just purchasing what happens to be available in the store, then you need to shop around for some time before purchasing so that you can do a price check.
Visit many antique stores to get a feel of the average cost of an antique school table. While some stores might not have one, you’re sure to find at least a few. And even if they’re not exactly the item you’re looking for they should be similar in price to the one you’re hoping to find. This will help you know how much cost you’ll probably look at when you find the piece you want.
It will also help you become more familiar with the look of an authentic antique school table. Sometimes during estate auctions or even in online auctions, you’ll see piece for sale that looks antique but you’re not sure, and it seems the seller really doesn’t know that much background about the piece. That doesn’t necessarily mean the seller or auctioneer is trying to cheat you by passing off something too new as an antique. Often, the history of antique pieces, especially antique furniture, becomes muddied through the years.
Become familiar with the look, and you might spot an antique school table when no one else recognizes the treasure. Beware of refinished furniture unless the purchase is purely sentimental. Refinishing often completely destroys the antique value of the item.
Photo Credits: gabyu
Originally posted 2008-10-21 14:00:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 9th, 2012 — Antique, Antiquities, Collectible, Furnishings, Furniture, Sideboard
A sideboard is a piece of furniture used to display China or to set food out while dining. The sideboards we’re familiar with first appeared in the 1700s, but became more popular in the 1800s when more people had dining rooms to eat in, and fewer people ate in their kitchens. Today, sideboards are often referred to as servers, buffets and credenzas.
Commonly made of oak or pine, a sideboard can be just a column for food to be placed on top of with some drawers for things like silverware, or it can be taller with shelves, sometimes glassed-in rather like a hutch. Home’s today will usually have a China cabinet or a hutch, but sideboards seem to have gone out of vogue in modern dining rooms. Some people still have vintage furniture that was used as sideboards back when more people ate from good dishes or China in a dining room, rather than using everyday dishes for most meals like is common today.
A sideboard can vary in price and value depending on the type of wood used, the style, the time period and the condition. Some Arts & Crafts period sideboards can cost well over $1000, and some Victorian period pieces can go well above that price, while some smaller and more modern sideboards can be had for only a few hundred dollars. Estate auctions are great places to find a sideboard. You can probably find one cheaper at an estate auction than you’ll ever find in an antique store.
Online auctions offer a huge variety of furniture, more than you will probably ever find in one estate auction or antique shop, but the size of the items can make shipping costs prohibitive. Still, if it’s worth it to you to pay fairly exorbitant shipping costs for such a large and usually heavy item, then you might enjoy browsing the dozens and sometimes hundreds of different sideboards available at places like eBay.
An oak sideboard from the early 19th century will most like be more valuable than anything produced in the 20th century, but it’s possible to find a situation where that isn’t true. Spending some time learning about the different furniture styles and manufacturers can only help you in your search for a valuable vintage sideboard.
If you can talk to an antique dealer or a seller and sound knowledgeable about revival styles like Arts & Crafts, Mission, Victorian, Gothic, Spanish and Renaissance style, you’ll be much less likely to end up paying far too much for a piece because the seller will guess that you know about what a piece might be worth. And knowing these furniture periods will help you estimate the value of a piece. Not only will you know if a seller is charging far too much for a sideboard, but you’ll also know when they’re charging far too less. Always ask about damage, whether it has replacement hardware, and whether the piece has been refinished, all things that can drop the value drastically
Originally posted 2008-12-08 05:00:57. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 3rd, 2012 — Antique, Antiquities, Barrister Bookcase, Furniture
Patented in 1892, a barrister bookcase is a special type of bookcase that’s enclosed with clear glass covering the front, differentiating it from a typical open-shelf bookcase. These bookcases got their start in the UK, but became popular worldwide because of their unique stackable design. Dust within is minimized by the glass front, protecting the books and items inside. Special tempered glass can even be used to block most light, making these bookcases ideal for antique books as they can minimize the slow damage that comes with age like fading and cracking.
Antique barrister bookcases range in price a great deal, depending on the manufacturer, the age of the case itself, the glass and hardware used, and the wood. The first bookcases of this type were created by the Globe Wernicke Co. so these are some of the most valuable pieces, and if they were cared for properly, they can still be displayed and used today.
Barrister bookcases were made in a wide variety of styles, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one or several that suit your tastes. You can find antique barrister bookcases in antique shops, maybe even flea markets and variety shops, or you can search online for dealers and for sales on auction sites like eBay. You’ll want to ask whether or not the piece has been refinished, and where the piece came from. Unlike with most antiques, a refinished barrister bookcase doesn’t necessarily drop in value. It’s always best to find one that’s been refinished and is in good condition, than one that’s in bad shape.
To make sure the barrister bookcase you’re looking at is an authentic original case, check for the manufacturer’s label on the back of each section. Each section will have metal side bands—they should be there, and you should ask if they’re the original metal pieces or whether they’ve been replaced. Again, replacement is not bad necessarily, as long as the piece is in good shape.
Also, ask about glass replacement. Antique barrister bookcases used a glass with a distinctive look. Stand next to the piece and look at the glass. If it doesn’t have a slightly wavy or rippled appearance, it’s either not the original glass, or the case itself isn’t really an antique. If you can’t see the piece, such as with an online purchase, ask the seller these questions so that if you get the piece and its not what you’re looking for you have to reasons to cite for the return.
While antique barrister bookcases can be pricey, you can get the same look with modern reproductions, if the history of the piece itself isn’t important to you. Many companies manufacturer barrister bookcases today, in styles that look antique, and those that look pulled right out of a modern home. Choosing new or antique is up to your preferences, but keep in mind that the antique barrister bookcases benefit from quality construction and craftsmanship that’s already allowed them to last up to 100 years.
Originally posted 2008-11-12 14:00:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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Coin Collecting in Antique Stores When people think of coin collecting and where they are going to purchase the coins that they want for that collection, they fail to think about antique stores. While some antique stores are not going to carry coins, others love the history of the older coins and want them in...... -
Collecting Autographed Sport Memorabilia Are you thinking about collecting autographed sport memorabilia? If you are interested in creating a sports collection of some kind, one of the options that is available to you is collecting autographed sport memorabilia. If you want to add autographed collectibles to your own personal collection, what you may like...... -
Guide to Collecting Promotional Glasses There are a wide variety of different promotional glasses out there, both modern and retro in nature, that feature sports figures, colorful advertising and a plethora of different characters from television shows, cartoons, movies, comic books and comic strips. These promotional glasses are excellent for bringing back fond memories of...... -
Choosing Your Discount Power Tools Part of the reason that most people decide to do their own repairs and maintenance around the house is because it’s much cheaper than hiring someone else to do it. However, a lot of jobs require specialized tools, and power tools in particular can be very expensive. A lot of...... -
The Credit Crunch and Your Home - Raise its Value With the recent economic crisis, a lot of individuals are worried about property values in light of the current events. While nothing can be said to predict just how everything can pan out, there are steps that you can perform to raise the value of your home and give yourself......
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