Antique-shop.com
Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Dedie on September 23, 2012, 08:19:52 PM
-
Hello Everyone,
We received a Karpen Secretary desk from my husbands aunt and we are trying to find out the approximate age and value of it. It is in good condition and I hope the photos I'm attaching are good enough. This is my first time in this site and I'm really excited to utilize everyone's input.
Thank you!
Dedie
-
Welcome Dedie - there are many very knowledgeable folks on the board and I am sure someone can help you out.
What I have learned is that if you can post pictures of the details it would be help a lot - such as the back, the legs, how it is connected - the hardware - any markings etc.
Welcome aboard!
-
Thank you! I guess I will have to sign up for photo-bucket and upload the more detailed photo's I have and put the link on it.
-
Hi Dedie! Welcome, it's preferred that you post your pictures here. By the time we are done with you'll be a professional photographer, lol ;D You need to crop a lot and resize photos. First they are going to want to see the joints. Are they dovetail joints? You need to take pictures of that. Pull out a drawer and take picture of how it was put together. Then take a picture of the back. We will want to see if there is any writng. It will also let us see how it was comstructed. They will want to know what area the desk originated from. I think that's enough homework for now, lol
-
Thanks for the homework! I'll take a look and more pics tomorrow.
-
Could you get a closeup of the Karpen label?
-
OK I see the door at top,, but what does it open for ??
-
Strange, ...... it doesn't have a "back" on it.
-
Odd that a door would be there !!
-
The whole thing seems a bit odd...it's like no Karpen I have seen![/tt]
-
Maybe it was pieces put together ?
-
From the front all looks well matched so don`t think its a married piece !! Can you take a pic of the back ?? Perhaps something was removed !!
-
What made you believe this was Karpen? I've never seen them do such a style...
-
Front doesn't look like it is a married piece. Someone took off the back.
Unfortunately, it was damaged or someone wanted to put a computer/tv in it and didn't want to drill holes I am betting!
I can honestly say I haven't seen a Karpen piece like this either. However, it resembles the original tin Karpen tag.
(as seen here - (http://leedowdyantiques.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_6072.jpg))
Looks "French" in style. Karpen Brothers (9 of them) were well known for their upholstered furniture! They did make their own wooden frames.... They were renowned for their GUARANTEE of their furniture!
-
Well I personally am with Wendy - I wouldn't know Karpin from Broyhill :P
It is a nice looking piece but the top is pretty odd. Did they remove the back and put it on the door that opens? Even with the back off - the door just doesn't look right either.
-
It simply does not look like karpen....not even close. It's like the label was taken from somewhere else.
-
I think so as well ghopper1924....
-
I am waiting to see the back !!
-
What back? LOL
-
As in turn it around so we can see whats missing !!
-
mart, make the picture bigger. If you look up close the fromt top and door are different color wood. Maybe they were open shelves oringinaly and then the door front was added.
-
Don`t think so !! All the fronts are bookmatched !! Door too !! Notice how each pattern of the wood meets in the center !! Each side is identical !! Or looks so from what I can see !! Thats a good sign of quality furniture but I don`t think its Karpen either !!
-
I also think the front looks original
-
Like you KC, I think this is either French Or English !!
-
Also please take a pic of the dovetails on one of the drawers maybe we can get a timeline !! Even though this is out of Karpens norm it looks like the tag is original and has not been moved or added later !!
-
From my research it looks like Karpen Bros. was in business until 1953. The Karpen we all know and love typically dates from the 1880s through 1910 or so. If this is Karpen it is definitely later, ca. 1920s at least. The incised ornament in the styles would be consistent with that. Although the bookmatched burl is definitely conservative, the simplified nature of the other ornament would fit with a 1920s and later date.
So if the Karpen lable has never been moved, and the family operated out of Chicago (and other cities at a later date, as indicated by the label) then this is definitely American, albeit from a family of Prussian/Polish immigrants that came to the U.S. in the late 19th century.
-
Dedie;
Try forwarding your photos / information here:
http://www.skarpenfurniture.com/events.htm (http://www.skarpenfurniture.com/events.htm)
Let us know what you hear.
-
Dedie;
Try forwarding your photos / information here:
http://www.skarpenfurniture.com/events.htm (http://www.skarpenfurniture.com/events.htm)
Let us know what you hear.
This is what she said: "Your desk dates from about 1924 to 1933."
-
From the nail marks on the back it looks like there was a back at one time.
-
I think she said earlier that the back had been removed but she had it !! That answers one question !! Just gave you those years,, thats all ?? Bummer !!!
-
"Your desk dates from about 1924 to 1933."
YES!
-
I think that was ghopper that gave that lead !! I had it copied but due to dial up and its lack of speed,, he beat me back here !!
Did you say you had the upper shelves that went behind the door or not ?? Don`t remember what I read !!
-
Can still honestly say in all my years never saw a Karpen in this style! The thing I love about this site...always learning and seeing something new!!!!
Great call ghopper1924!
-
I think that was ghopper that gave that lead !! I had it copied but due to dial up and its lack of speed,, he beat me back here !!
Did you say you had the upper shelves that went behind the door or not ?? Don`t remember what I read !!
I'm pretty sure they are stored around here somewhere!
-
For a value just look and see what similar pieces are selling for !! Not asking price but rather closed sales !! Check ebay !! Off hand I would say $250. to $300. in my area !! Karpen made good furniture but there is quite a bit available !!
-
Ditto on the price!)