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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: bigfische on July 25, 2012, 11:13:45 AM

Title: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: bigfische on July 25, 2012, 11:13:45 AM
Stumbled across these two chairs, I have zero antique furniture knowledge so any information would be appreciated.  Looking for the basics, age/origins/value etc.

Sorry for the not so great photos-

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs8.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs7.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs6.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs2.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs4.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs3.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs1.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs9.jpg)

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/bigfische/chairs5.jpg)

The chairs are the same wood-wise, just the finishing fabric is different.  One chair obviously has a broken arm, any ideas on price to restore and repair them vs. selling as is?
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: mart on July 25, 2012, 11:41:21 AM
Nice little Eastlake style chairs,, late 20`s or early 30`s !!  Worth repairing if keeping for yourself !!  Not huge value though !!  $40. ea. give or take a few bucks !!
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: frogpatch on July 25, 2012, 02:11:23 PM
I agree with Mart on all but the date.My 20s and 30s furniture ads do not show this Eastlake Style. I would date them around 1880 to 1900 like the architecture of the period. 
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: bigfische on July 25, 2012, 02:50:15 PM
Thanks, so are these chairs likely American made or made somewhere in Europe?  What would be a decent price to get them reupholstered?  I know a carpenter that may be able to fix the woodwork.  I know a little of old cards and coins, where restoring is a no-no. How important is it to get the repairs era accurate and how much should one expect to pay to get new fabric applied?
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: mart on July 25, 2012, 03:58:01 PM
Are you going to keep the chairs ???
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: bigfische on July 25, 2012, 04:05:07 PM
I don't know for sure. If they bring $50 bucks a piece redone then I would just keep them for fun chairs around the poker table. If a more expensive fix would bring the price up, I may sell. If it is expensive either way, I would just sell as is.
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: frogpatch on July 25, 2012, 06:56:33 PM
If you can find an old timer working from his home you may be able to get them done for around 150.00 ea. An upholstery shop will charge around 300.00 not including the fabric, at least where I live. Get a book or look on line and learn to do it yourself will be a lot cheaper and a good investment in future finds. I get a kick out of Lara Spencer and her TV garage sale finds. "All they needed was new upholstery to make them a great vintage find!" Lara needs a reality check.
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: mart on July 25, 2012, 07:13:41 PM
Frogpatch is right !! You will spend much more than the chairs are worth !!
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: KC on July 25, 2012, 07:14:54 PM
I would date them late 20's to 30's myself.
Do they have casters on the front legs?
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: bigfische on July 25, 2012, 08:12:43 PM
yes, they have casters.
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: mart on July 25, 2012, 08:21:00 PM
Rule of thumb for me,, simple detail ,the later the chair !! At least on this style !!
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: ghopper1924 on July 25, 2012, 08:24:22 PM
1890s Eastlake. Walnut. Not rare.

These chairs were part of a parlor set that has long since been broken up. A full parlor set would include a sofa, loveseat, armchairs, sidechairs (no arms), and perhaps a parlor table as well.

If you like them get them repaired and re-upholstered. Don't expect to make money on a resale, but do expect beauty once they're restored.
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: KC on July 25, 2012, 09:23:59 PM
okay....I should never try to view out in the sun.....

I am inside n retract my original assessment.  Do agree Eastlake style... but latest 1800's to very early 1900.
Agree with ghopper1924...origi nally a part of a parlor set....walnut....

Nice keepsake pieces - you wont get rich selling them.  In my neck of the woods they sell all the time for $50 - $75
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: antiquesnsuch on July 25, 2012, 10:17:14 PM
Even though tufting in my opinion looks better if your going to keep them I would suggest doing the upholstery yourself ( minus the tufting ) it really is a simple task, strip the old upholstery and cut the buttons, buy batting for extra fluff from Michaels and some fabric, all you will need from there is a staple gun and some pulling! These would be great for you to practice on. It's easier to show than explain...just a bit of advice :) good luck.
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: KC on July 26, 2012, 12:41:51 AM
You can view easy upholstering videos on You Tube!
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: bigfische on July 26, 2012, 08:09:13 AM
Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

Last thing that I didnt see answered, are these likely American made chairs, or from somewhere in Europe?
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: mart on July 26, 2012, 09:14:49 AM
Could be American or English but that does not change the value  !! Not likely European,, would look different if they were !!
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: ghopper1924 on July 26, 2012, 10:43:26 AM
Bigfiche, if you live in America chances are that the chairs are American.

Not that you're chairs aren't cool, but an Eastlake parlor set would probably not be imported to the U.S. in the 1890s unless it were super high end, or especially distinctive in some other way. Otherwise, the cost of importation/freight, not to mention any applicable tarriffs,  would make a typical set too high to compete with typical sets from America.
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: mart on July 26, 2012, 01:42:59 PM
Ghopper back in the 70`s,,80`s they shipped boatloads of English stuff to the U.S !!   Anything antique was selling like crazy !!  There was a lot of Eastlake style in that !! I bought a bunch of it when I had my shop !!
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: KC on July 26, 2012, 02:05:26 PM
I have several English imported pieces myself Mart and they came in during that time as well.  Maybe it is just here in Texas we got all of them!!!  LOL

I would lean towards the American made aspect.  Like ghopper stated, it wouldn't make any difference in $$ value either way.
Title: Re: A pair of antique chairs; info wanted
Post by: mart on July 26, 2012, 02:44:57 PM
The place I bought from was in Sulphur Springs !! He had vat stripping and this stuff was packed in his warehouse !! All styles,, some good and some not so good and needing repair !!    Nice hall trees were selling here at $200.+ and they were buying them at $20. !! It was just used furniture there and was plentiful !! This guy picked the best and sent them to both east and west coast !! He had dealers and shops with standing orders !!