Topics

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Antique Questions Forum / Sheraton Dresser

« on: March 10, 2014, 07:24:03 pm »

Hi everyone! I bought this dresser a few days ago and I have a few questions about it.
First, the veneer, which appears to be flame mahogany, is cloudy. How can I remedy this? I've been searching online but I can't find anything about cloudy veneer, just solid wood and I believe they are cared for differently. Maybe? I think I had this problem before and used Briwax but I don't remember. On a tiny spot I tried a mixture of vinegar and water but it didn't do anything, it stayed the same.

Also, I believe this dresser to be an original from the early 19th century and not a later 19th century reproduction. I just want more opinions on that. The brasses do not appear original but look older and well worn. Maybe about 100 years old. The screws that hold them in are all modern. It also looks like it was refinished relatively recently. The bottoms of the drawers and the inside-back of the dresser all have chamfered edges. Either way, I only paid $100.00 for the dresser at a consignment shop and hey, you can't get a plywood piece of junk at Walmart for that!

Thank you for any advice, I would really like to fix that cloudiness!

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Antique Questions Forum / Old Bench

« on: November 25, 2012, 11:24:10 pm »

Hi everyone! I bought this old bench on Craigslist today and I would love to know more about it. Mostly an approximate date and possibly country of origin. I believe it to be English, early 18th century. Obviously, the travesty of sanding it has removed it's gorgeous patina, history and a significant portion of it's value. But I got it at a very low price so I am just glad to have it and save it from their cold garage.
Some of the pictures are mine, some are from the ad. Luckily, the underside of the lid appears to have it's original patina. Although it's probably not half as dark as the outside once was. It has snipe hinges and beautiful decorated hardware. All hand carved. Some modern-ish nails in places. Original feet. I will go take a picture of the carving at the bottom of the bench and some of the inside, too. I am thinking about leaving the wood as-is and giving it a coat of beeswax. Tales suggested maybe mineral oil and then beeswax. Any help or advice is greatly appreciated!

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Antique Questions Forum / Small Wood Box

« on: September 27, 2012, 10:15:34 pm »

We bought this box today and I would like to know more about it. What could it have been used for and how old is it? The ad on CL didn't have very good pictures and from what I saw I thought it was early 1800s. But now that my husband brought it home I just don't know how old it is. I'm thinking maybe late-1800s? I hope it's at least that old. The paint appears quite modern. It's almost metallic-like. Metallic blue. It's worn, smooth, aged and dirty.The wood is well-worn.

It's construction is entirely made up of nails with round heads. Round head nails didn't come into use until the very late 1800s. What confuses me is that some of the screws have slots that are a little bit off center. I unscrewed one and it is machine-made and tapers. Which doesn't necessarily mean the box is brand new. Here's a little info about screws.
http://journalofantiques.com/2002/columns/business-of-doing-business/system-for-dating-country-and-primitive-furniture-part-one/

The rope, for some reason, is nailed onto the sides of the box. Not sure if it was for hanging or holding or what. The inside looks like maybe it had some sort of divider at some point.
This one is confusing me and I just don't know how to tell if it's brand new or if it is 100 years old. Pretty disappointed that it's not as old as I thought it was but at least we didn't pay very much money for it! I'm casting my vote for 1890s. Anyone else?

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Antique Questions Forum / 18th Century Painted Chest

« on: August 26, 2012, 06:09:46 am »

I bought this chest off Craigslist yesterday (for a great price!) and I would love to know more about it! It was listed as "Scandinavian or German." But I have been looking at hundreds of them tonight and it reminds me of Austrian ones. But I don't know exactly what to look for! It is missing it's feet. The hinges, lock, nails and escutcheon are original. The key is missing. The paint is all old grimy milk paint, very worn and warm. It may have been completely repainted at some point in it's life but I'm not certain. There is milk/oxblood paint over a few areas of extensive worm damage, so it was at least touched up. There also appears to be a very faded dark red pattern underneath the lighter red paint in some areas, which can be seen in a few of the photos. But it could just be darker red paint that was painted at the same time. It's hard to tell! You can see what I mean about the worm damage and the faded pattern in the third picture, near the top of the chest. If it was repainted, it was a very long time ago, maybe in the mid 19th century. I realize it won't be worth as much if it has been repainted. But for history's sake, I wouldn't mind a bit. I have been reading a lot online tonight and I read that these were usually kept for many generations and the family repainted them through the years. 
There are a few words and scribbles in the little compartment inside, "88" is written a few times. I will get more pictures posted later! Thank you for any advice!

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Antique Questions Forum / Bosco Double Seal Jar

« on: April 20, 2012, 09:53:23 am »

One of the freebies I got at the antique store last week was a small mason jar. I have been collecting all different kinds now and I picked up this one because I had never seen a Bosco one and my dog's name is Bosco, too. I am having a hard time posting pics because my computer is acting up but I will post one as soon as I can. I have found a Bosco Syrup company but all the jars I have seen from them are the typical jelly/jam jar style with the screw top lids. My jar is from the 1920s or 1930s. It is the type with the wire closure and glass top. It says, "Bosco Double Seal." I am trying really hard to find info about this one and I can't find anything! I'd like to know if it is rare.

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Antique Questions Forum / Is This Pitcher Old Or New?

« on: April 08, 2012, 03:49:47 am »

Hello everyone! I found this pitcher at The Goodwill a few days ago and I was just wondering if there is any way to tell if it's depression era or if it's new-ish? The glass has lots of tiny little bubbles. The spout has lots of swirls and a little (manufacturing) split in the glass. In the handle, there are a few tiny little unintentional swirls of a rusty color. It's in perfect shape except for that manufacturing split. Does anyone recognize the pattern at all? I have been searching for days and can't find this one! I'd be pretty excited to find an older one but it's ok if it's not. Thanks for any help!

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Antique Questions Forum / Doors age?

« on: February 03, 2012, 05:11:05 am »

Hi everyone.
I am thinking about purchasing these doors. Not absolutely positive yet because they are expensive and I don't know how to tell how old they are. Something doesn't seem right about them to me and I can't pinpoint it. They don't have the usual rosehead nails and I don't really recognize the style of hardware as being American. Could they maybe be French or English? Does anyone think they are really circa 1750? Thanks for any advice!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160642054405?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619#ht_500wt_1180

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Antique Questions Forum / Sheraton? Table

« on: January 10, 2012, 01:00:07 pm »

Hi all. I got this table for my birthday, too. I have been doing some research and I think it is Sheraton in style, possibily 1830s? I have found similar ones online but I want to make sure I have the date right because most of the ones I found were on ebay and people on there could be wrong. From what I have read, this style was most popular from about 1815-the 1840s. So, I just put mine right in the middle. Is it Sheraton in style? It has a lot of damage and repairs and the finish is not original. But I loved the legs!

The original nails look to be cut steel, maybe the kind that would be cut from flat sheets of steel in the late 1700s-early 1800s? They are tiny and more silver color than the later nails that were added. I haven't really seen any like them before.The later nails are iron, with a square shaft and heads that are neither round nor square. They look hand forged but not like the ones I usually see. I can tell that they were added later when the drawers might have been coming loose. They are just hammered haphazardly and caused a lot of splits and damage and are really too big to be put in some of the places they were put. I don't think a furniture maker would have done that.

The bottom of the drawers are like raised panels. Like the panels you see on raised panel doors. They are really thick and hand planed.

The drawers originally had two knobs on each drawer, now they have one and the holes were filled.

I can take more pictures, I am just curious about age and style. Thanks for any advice!

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Antique Questions Forum / Grinder

« on: January 08, 2012, 10:35:12 am »

Hello again.
Another birthday gift. I got this grinder and I am trying to figure out what company made it and when. I have searched everything...vintag e 830 grinder, antique 830 grinder, vintage star grinder, etc etc. Any ideas?

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Antique Questions Forum / Two Pottery Bowls

« on: January 08, 2012, 10:28:11 am »

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had very happy holidays.
My birthday is this month and my mom bought be quite a few gifts at the antique store yesterday. Two of the items were these two bowls...among many other bowls. One is a spongeware bowl. I have been doing some reading about spongeware but I'm still not sure how to date this one. I can't find anything about Heers either. The only marking is a "7" on the bottom. I'm thinking maybe 1890-1900?
It's in really rough shape with cracks and chips. But it's my very first piece of spongeware and ya'll know how I like the "well loved" stuff.

The other (green) bowl I'm thinkin' might be teens or 20s? I have no idea. The markings on the bottom are "430" and either a  "C" or a "G." It also has cracks and chips.

I would love to know when these were made. Thanks everyone!

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Antique Questions Forum / Age of cabinet?

« on: November 29, 2011, 02:26:33 am »

I am having a minor...ok, a MAJOR love affair with this corner cabinet. I'm not even gonna talk to the mister about it just yet. I was just curious if anyone could tell from the pictures how old it might be? Late Victorian?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carved-ornate-corner-cabinet-aged-vintage-finish-/290638522958?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item43ab67ea4e#ht_720wt_1270

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Antique Questions Forum / Frank Pel Painting on Canvas

« on: November 11, 2011, 09:16:07 pm »

My mom gave me 2 paintings today that my cousin gave her. She thinks they are both hideous, and I actually do too but this one in question actually kind of has it's own unique beauty. It is signed "F Pel." I think this is for Frank Pel. I have been searching online and I can't find any pictures of Frank Pel's work or his signature to compare mine to. He's probably not very famous. Did find a few mentions of him being born in Belgium in 1935 and moving to Canada. Someone on CL said he was a listed artist but the ad I found has expired. I will go take pictures right now. Can anybody else find anything he's done? It has kind of a 1960s-1970s feel to me.

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EBay Forum / What the?

« on: October 15, 2011, 01:32:20 pm »

I just sold an item on ebay, I think it's like my 13th sale. But this time, paypal tells me that until I establish a good sales record, my funds from sales will be withheld for 21 days. What's that all about? It's never put a hold on money I have received. It's a bit irritating because I already went through a big hassle with the winning bidder not paying for weeks. Gave it to the next bidder and now I still can't have the money for a few weeks. Grrrr. I have 100 percent and 5 stars on everything.

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EBay Forum / I don't get it....

« on: September 30, 2011, 11:46:44 pm »

While searching for old suffolk latches, I came across these new ones. I know that people used to sell stuff for $1.00 and then charge $60 shipping to pay less in ebay fees. That doesn't work now anyways, now that ebay also charges a fee on shipping costs. Anywho, what is the logic behind $1,000+for shipping? And it even says that they have sold several?? I'm confused about these two listings...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suffolk-Gate-Latch-Catch-Zinc-Garden-House-Gate-/280711703410?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Structures_Fencing_CV&hash=item415bb8ab72



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suffolk-Gate-Latch-Catch-Black-Japan-Garden-House-/310332907150?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Structures_Fencing_CV&hash=item4841485e8e

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EBay Forum / Shipping.

« on: September 27, 2011, 07:00:42 pm »

So, I sent my husband to the post office to ship a ring I sold. I asked him to get a tracking number and send it the cheapest way possible. It was a tiny little padded envelope which usually costs me about 72 cents to ship. I figured a tracking number would be about 45 cents more. They charged him $5.95. When I asked him why, he said that they told him that if an envelope is less than 3/4 of an inch thick and you want to track it, then it has to be sent the fastest way. How does this make any sense? Why does it matter how thick it is? The guy was like, "Yeah, it doesn't say that little rule online." Sorry, just doesn't make sense to me!