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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: hemster922 on May 23, 2013, 11:54:35 AM
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Hi All!
I've recently acquired many beautiful pieces, and some I can't seem to identify or place a value.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'd like to know what I'm dealing with before I start restoring..
This particular chair I've searched and searched and I come up empty.
I got it from a woman who's Mother passed away and it was meant for the dump [because of the shape its in I suppose]
Same woman gave me a damaged Empire sofa, and and old vaneered mirror.
I was more than happy to take them all!
Now I need to know what to do with them. :)
(http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w665/hemster922/P50200532_zps88f07e41.jpg) (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/hemster922/media/P50200532_zps88f07e41.jpg.html)
(http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w665/hemster922/P50200612_zps5c38ac81.jpg) (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/hemster922/media/P50200612_zps5c38ac81.jpg.html)
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my lips are sealed..less i get myself into trouble.....again.. ...suffice to say..there has been a dramatic change in the weather,here, lots of snow, and only 4deg,.....
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Trouble?
..my middle name.. ;D
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you,re in good company then... ;D
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Asking me what to do with this sorry looking example of a chair...is,nt a good idea....i,m really into woodburners... ;D...but,as there is,nt much wood on this chair..then i guess restoration is the only thing for it....first ?..is there only 1...ideally a pair would be better,...from all of the pics i,ve seen on photobucket,..i,d have to say,its mahogany,..circa, lat 1800,s early 1900,s,is that a repair or a broken spar on the left lower left,...the seat needs to be removed,and re-upholstered,the wood itself needs to be rubbed down...using 0000 grade steel wool,...then re-finished....what you have to ask yourself....is..is it worth it,...as it stands...No...after it has been worked on....Not Much....
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Once we got through Wullie's woodburning compulsion he had some useful things to say.
Agree that it's mahogany, probably ca. 1890. Also likely a part of a dining room set so there is undoubtedly 1 more, and probably several more. Agree also on Wull's restoration ideas; however, I would bet that the chair will look sensational post-restoration, despite its rather low monetary worth.
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Yes Bigwull, there was a piece that had broken off and it came to me with this doiley tied around it holding it in place. I repaired it, came out nice.
I'm thinking of putting a nice Damask fabric on it, of course after I blow through the seat and remove/replace all the crap.
My husband is ready to burn it haha, but I want it at least looking good enough for the auction house.
I'll steel wool it in the next day or so. Repairing damage first.
And I wish I had a pair! In my experience they sell better in pairs..
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Looks to be a French design,,probably Jacobean period or revival !! I would say its worth a little effort !! Chairs are not difficult to do !! Indeed a nice Damask but lose the fringe !!
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Yes pairs sit nicely in a hall,...one usually ends up in the shed....from your writing I will assume that you are on my side of the pond...and not t,other where they can,t spell proper like....Its like learning a non foreign language...mind you, i suppose the same could be said about my use of the English language....as for Mart,s "a nice Damask"....if i did,nt know what it was ...I,d say it was a bottle of Plonk... ;D
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While I'm at it. Take a peek at these...I saw one chair on Liveauctioneers that resembled these 3 that I have and they called it an 'Early American Mahogany'.
I removed the caned seats because they crumbled when touched. Cleaned up quite nice.
Any idea on age?
(http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w665/hemster922/P5230099_zps8d69853a.jpg) (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/hemster922/media/P5230099_zps8d69853a.jpg.html)
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Looks to be a French design,,probably Jacobean period or revival !! I would say its worth a little effort !! Chairs are not difficult to do !! Indeed a nice Damask but lose the fringe !!
Ooops !! Didn`t have glasses on and shadow looked like fringe !! Ignore that last statement !!
The chair in front looks to have had sheet caning !! Are they all the same,, is there a groove running around each or do some have the holes ?? Sheet cane is easy to replace,, individual hand caning is not particularly hard once you get the hang of it but it is tedious to do !!
When they say Early American,, that is all encompassing !! They use that for lack of a better term !! And some things just do not fit anywhere else !! These two chairs are sort of a mixed up style !!
Two in front look like mahogany,, one behind looks like walnut !! Likely all from 30`s or so !!
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Thanks Mart, the one in the back is made of a different wood...Walnut probably. I have 2 of them as well. Never seen anything like these before.
The caning was not done by sheet. There are holes around the perimeter.
Here's a closeup of before I removed it.
(http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w665/hemster922/P7270152_zps28112c3f.jpg) (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/hemster922/media/P7270152_zps28112c3f.jpg.html)
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That table in the midst of these chairs has a label in the drawer that says 'Libry-Dine'. Another mystery to me, though I just found this 2 days ago sitting near a dumpster.
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I love your chair (your first photo) I would repair it paint her a light cream, redo the cushion with a beautiful light faded rose pattern material and she will be Shabby chic sweet!!
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I love that idea Wendy! I'll keep that in mind until I'm done fixing her up.. :)
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Shabby Chic...yuk..more like shabby shit.......you,d be better putting the poor chair out of its misery....than covering it..with paint....
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"Shabby chic" is a poor idea unless the chair is hopeless, which these are not.
Nice chairs. I would disagree with Mart and say these chairs are from the 1870s - 80s. Get them recaned, clean them up, and use them.
BTW, in my experience painting fine wood items made of walnut, mahogany, oak, or rosewood instantly lowers their value by at least 40%, not a good thing in an antiques market that has already taken a big hit over the past few years.
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Its amazing what you can see with a close up !! Ghopper,, might indeed be a little older,,not sure its that much older but ,,we are going by a pic !! So just flip a coin !! Can see now that they are hand caned !! But unless you are a brave soul you might consider finding someone with a good wood shop and having those routed for sheet cane !! Value is not such that paying to have it done would be worth it !! If you are going to keep the chairs,,you would still get the same look but easier installation !! If you are going to sell them,, leave them as is !! You might get $25. each as is !! Chairs are not great sellers unless very unique or you at least have a set of 4 !!!
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I agree with each one of you and I thank you for your input.
I would never throw paint on well made antique, Especially not those mahogany's. Wendy was speaking of the chair in the first photo, which, I hate to admit needs so much I may consider it just to cover the defects.
[and I believe I already have it sold] - never garbage..
I would love to recane those chairs. But I was thinking a tufted seat...otherwise I would have to have the routed like mart said and do the sheet caning. [and the thought of all the work makes me cringe]
There's an auction house not too far from me that I'm hoping to consign with and I won't bring them as-is..
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Another option would be the pre cut pressed fiber seats that look like leather and tacked in place !! Easy, pattern would be true to period and attractive !! Lets face it,, whatever you do will likely be re-done when sold because you cannot know everyones taste !! First chair is the better of the lot !!
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Mart, is it possible for you to give me an example please? I love the idea of leather and actually have some old genuine cowhide remnants hanging around that I stripped off of an old wingback.
[I like to recycle when I can]
And while on the topic of leather...I have this petite old chair [overall height 32" - seat height 18"]
The seat seems to me, as if its embossed leather but its hard as a rock so Im not sure...I'd like to condition it but I'm not sure how, or with what...
(http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w665/hemster922/P5250049_zpsf5b4c664.jpg) (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/hemster922/media/P5250049_zpsf5b4c664.jpg.html)
(http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w665/hemster922/P5250042_zpsedd4f9ff.jpg) (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/hemster922/media/P5250042_zpsedd4f9ff.jpg.html)
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I will try to find an example for you !! Can`t tell if that is a vinyl type or leather But try using plain old saddle soap to clean, let dry well, then apply neatsfoot oil if you can get it,, if not , almost any oil that you cook with will do the same thing !! If the oil is not absorbed by the surface and stays sitting on top, it may be a vinyl type cover. We will hope for leather,, you can look at the edges and tell leather from vinyl !!
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Yup I was talking about the first photo and that chair only as it has so much damage! And yes I love Shabby Chic bigwull!! Better than a life size dummy in a helmet That someone is hiding from their wife!! :P LoL
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Yup I was talking about the first photo and that chair only as it has so much damage! And yes I love Shabby Chic bigwull!! Better than a life size dummy in a helmet That someone is hiding from their wife!! :P LoL
Lucky for you, that you are on the other side of the pond....and me being a non swimmer.... ;D ;D ;D....shabby shit rules OK...
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You are my favorite bigwull!! Always look forward to what will come out of your mug next!! :D
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I like the look too Wendy,, as long as its not poorly done or over done !!
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http://www.kennedyhardware.com/fiberboard-seats-tacks/
This site has the seats and supplies but I would look on ebay for better deal !! Just search for pressed fiberboard seats !!
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I agree mart to chippy or shabby not so good!!
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I like it lightly done !! Have seen a few that fit your description, Wendy !!
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I like the look too Wendy,, as long as its not poorly done or over done !!
Oh!!...don,t you start....one shabby chick...is enough..withoot hae,in twa tae contend wi.... ;D
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Ladies of a like mind have to stick together Wullie !!
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Ladies? Did someone new join up? ;D ;D
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Ladies? Did someone new join up? ;D ;D
Ghopper,, you have been hanging around Wullie too long !!! ;)
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He,s my Apprentice..... ;D ;D ;D....
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And to paraphrase Sting....now the apprentice is the master..... ;D ;D ;D
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And to paraphrase Sting....now the apprentice is the master..... ;D ;D ;D
you wish.... ;D.....
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Thanks for the link Mart! Awesome.
I think its the vinyl afterall.
haha, and why's everyone doggin' shabby-chic? All us girls like the look :D
reminiscent of the old milk paint used on furniture way back. It's cute!
..wait..
can I say "cute"? :D
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Okay, have to jump in on this one....
Wullie (or Bullie????? Remember the song Woolie Bullie from the 60's?) Shabby Chic is a really great idea to relife older items that would otherwise be burned into firewood or landfill by certain folks..... Some is done really well and can look amazing!!!!! All for relifing items.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the first chair!!!! Believe it or not, I find that loner chairs sell better when highlighted!
From the holes on the chairs...they were hand caned - the more expensive type of caning versus sheet or pressed cane. So, unless you cane...your idea might work better.
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Great minds think alike !!
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Great minds think alike !!
Oops!!...i,ve just fallen off my perch.... ;D
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Okay, have to jump in on this one....
Wullie (or Bullie????? Remember the song Woolie Bullie from the 60's?) Shabby Chic is a really great idea to relife older items that would otherwise be burned into firewood or landfill by certain folks..... Some is done really well and can look amazing!!!!! All for relifing items.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the first chair!!!! Believe it or not, I find that loner chairs sell better when highlighted!
From the holes on the chairs...they were hand caned - the more expensive type of caning versus sheet or pressed cane. So, unless you cane...your idea might work better.
Sorry, shabby chic is not a great idea, especially when it's used as an excuse to paint over beautiful furniture.
Wooly Bully. Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs?
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Thanks KC! The first chair is my favorite and I want to make it perfect.
But no..no shabby chic. Not on any of these. I tend to agree with the guys that the better its made, the less I wish to cover it with paint. Distressed is ok, but my goal is to lighten up the wood a bit without removing all of the patina.
[[unless someone pays me enough to change my mind of course :D]]
The only problem I have with that first chair is the damage to the front feet. [I dont know if it shows well in the pics]
The feet are nicely carved, but they rest on this platform [3/4"] that is badly damaged.
I have some black walnut here, and I was thinking of cutting those platforms off right beneath the feet, using one as a template, and replace them by creating something new with the black walnut.
[because its all I have on hand].
The hand caned [round] chairs...still scratching head..
I REALLY think they would be adorable with a tufted seat. Maybe a simple small print Jacquard or Damask fabric...
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Okay, have to jump in on this one....
Wullie (or Bullie????? Remember the song Woolie Bullie from the 60's?) Shabby Chic is a really great idea to relife older items that would otherwise be burned into firewood or landfill by certain folks..... Some is done really well and can look amazing!!!!! All for relifing items.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the first chair!!!! Believe it or not, I find that loner chairs sell better when highlighted!
From the holes on the chairs...they were hand caned - the more expensive type of caning versus sheet or pressed cane. So, unless you cane...your idea might work better.
Oh yes KC !! Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs !!!
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you are letting your mask slip my dear Mart,....you told us you had led a sheltered life....and that your taste in music was very low key...you even confided in me..your true favourites.....whic h i hasten to add will remain a secret....but...her e you are admitting that you listened to Sam the Sham and his bunch of Egyptian Kings.....yep..."there,s more to you than meets the eye"...you,re worth a watchin ;D ;D....and the same can be said about your confederate....KC.. .i,ll be keeping an ever watchful eye on both of you... ;D
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Mart the A-Rab Queen of the burning sand..... ;D ;D
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Mart the A-Rab Queen of the burning sand..... ;D ;D
and her confederate...KC... .and we,d better include...Wendy.... oh and perhaps the Pepsi swilling Sapphire.... ;D ;D
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They're just a bunch of Little Red Riding Hoods
And they sure are looking good
They're everything a big bad wolf could want
;D ;D :D
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They're just a bunch of Little Red Riding Hoods
And they sure are looking good
They're everything a big bad wolf could want
;D ;D :D
we missed G,acre.....she,s worth a watchin....there,s more to her than meets the eye....come to think of it...the whole darn species is worth a watchin...... ;D ;D
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ghopper 1924 and hemster922, note I said older items that would otherwise be burned...not good, well made furniture!
To see gorgeous pieces shabbed is like fingernails on a blackboard to me! (Does anyone remember the nails/blackboard thingy?)
hemster, sometimes things don't have to be perfect! You can repair them good enough. All of us have scars/wrinkles from age...and furniture does as well...it helps to unravel the age of items as well. Character markings!!!
Honestly Wullie, I think this song was written for you...it is about a bull that had two horns and a great big jaw!!! Reminds me of highland cattle....
(http://www.gb3highlandcattle.com/Sires/Images/7t.1.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6P7g_qz2OU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6P7g_qz2OU)
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ghopper 1924 and hemster922, note I said older items that would otherwise be burned.
Quite right! I apologize if I misconstrued your remarks. ;)
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ghopper 1924 and hemster922, note I said older items that would otherwise be burned.
Quite right! I apologize if I misconstrued your remarks. ;)
creep!! ;D ;D ;D
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Oh yeah?? YOU'RE a creep!!!!!! ;D >:( ;D :D
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see my signature.... ;D ;D..
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Looks to be a French design,,probably Jacobean period or revival !! I would say its worth a little effort !! Chairs are not difficult to do !! Indeed a nice Damask but lose the fringe !!
Ooops !! Didn`t have glasses on and shadow looked like fringe !! Ignore that last statement !!
The chair in front looks to have had sheet caning !! Are they all the same,, is there a groove running around each or do some have the holes ?? Sheet cane is easy to replace,, individual hand caning is not particularly hard once you get the hang of it but it is tedious to do !!
When they say Early American,, that is all encompassing !! They use that for lack of a better term !! And some things just do not fit anywhere else !! These two chairs are sort of a mixed up style !!
Two in front look like mahogany,, one behind looks like walnut !! Likely all from 30`s or so !!
Right on the money on all counts, mart.
Especially about the tedium that is caning..... :(
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you are letting your mask slip my dear Mart,....you told us you had led a sheltered life....and that your taste in music was very low key...you even confided in me..your true favourites.....whic h i hasten to add will remain a secret....but...her e you are admitting that you listened to Sam the Sham and his bunch of Egyptian Kings.....yep..."there,s more to you than meets the eye"...you,re worth a watchin ;D ;D....and the same can be said about your confederate....KC.. .i,ll be keeping an ever watchful eye on both of you... ;D
Said I remembered them,,,didn`t say I liked them !!! But back then we listened to what everyone else listened to,,,like or dislike had nothing to do with it !!
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you are letting your mask slip my dear Mart,....you told us you had led a sheltered life....and that your taste in music was very low key...you even confided in me..your true favourites.....whic h i hasten to add will remain a secret....but...her e you are admitting that you listened to Sam the Sham and his bunch of Egyptian Kings.....yep..."there,s more to you than meets the eye"...you,re worth a watchin ;D ;D....and the same can be said about your confederate....KC.. .i,ll be keeping an ever watchful eye on both of you... ;D
Said I remembered them,,,didn`t say I liked them !!! But back then we listened to what everyone else listened to,,,like or dislike had nothing to do with it !!
Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
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see my signature.... ;D ;D..
I chose not to believe that you could be drinking good malts when you're writing these posts. I saw something else about licking me to death????? Best to not go there.....
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(http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w665/hemster922/P6050073_zps6a967d33.jpg) (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/hemster922/media/P6050073_zps6a967d33.jpg.html)
I'm so not done, but not too shabby ay? ;D
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Now is,nt that a damn sight better, than covering it with streaky paint...Wendy..... ;D...No Shabby S***...Rules....
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Now is,nt that a damn sight better, than covering it with streaky paint...Wendy..... ;D...No Shabby S***...Rules....
Absolutely!!
Great job, hemster!!!! ;D
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Very late in on the conversation, but I must say.......YES!! Totally renewed and rejuvenated but without losing it's character and appeal. Great job! ;)
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Excellent !! A keeper !!
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Wendy...you are conspicuous by your absence...... ;D ;D...
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THANKS SO MUCH! Like I said, I'm not done yet. The tapestry I thought was a perfect choice, but Theres so much build up of patina to the wood and Im against removing it all so all Im doing is lifting it in random areas with oils and a soft scotch bright.
The gold accent im hoping is not too much, [I'll keep it to a minimum] and when it feels right, I'll go over the entire chair with a slightly tinted oil to tone down the gold and keep it looking aged, but rejuvenated.
Last night I applied this little jewel. There was something previously there I can tell, may have been veneer or possibly mother of pearl, but I took an old earring [amethyst] and thought it was adorable!
Fit perfectly!
Thanks for the input! :) Now can I get an opinion or two on what to charge for this? [I have someone coming to see]
(http://i1335.photobucket.com/albums/w665/hemster922/P6050075_zpsb3971232.jpg) (http://s1335.photobucket.com/user/hemster922/media/P6050075_zpsb3971232.jpg.html)
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Unless you are in desperate need of the cash.....Keep it.....says me...who, chops dining tables up for firewood..... ;D
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Not desperate, its just what I do for a living...
If it sits for a long period of time my Husband will start salivating...haha.. .like you he sees it only as fuel!
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If I were to keep any of the pieces I have here though, this would be the one!
But I have a feeling this is the one people will want.
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my kindling stock is low..... ;D
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Hahaha...So is ours im afraid! And its cold & rainy, a warm fire would be nice!
May have to put a lock on my shop door ;D
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We don`t know where you are to offer a selling price !!
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Sorry mart! Northern NJ, thats where I am!
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This looks nice and it will sell! Bejeweling is a big thing here in Texas/South. So if you don't paint it to "shabby" it...you highlight and jewel it.
Very nice job! Looks like it has a long life ahead of it!!
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Thank you KC!
you know the more I work on this chair, the more I realize the work that went into creating it, so I won't let it go for piddins.
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Mmm,, NJ ?? Frogpatch might be better one to ask ,, that's his area !! But I would guess as a decorator piece,, $150. to $200. might be in order !!
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Sounds reasonable. The problem is that chairs usually go for less than you'd think. My great grandmother's rocker, in excellent shape and in our family for over 100 years, might go for $150 on a good day.
The good thing is that you've got a quality piece, so hopefully you'll get a better - than - average return.
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Just as well,you did,nt go for Wendy,s light cream paint jobbie.....btw..... where.is Wendy......Wendyyyy yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyy!!...are you getting this........ ;D
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I dont know bigwull,
I took a peek at a new Antique store that opened up in our town today, and I'd have to say, majority of the furniture pieces were painted.
Could this be the new thing? They had some hefty prices!
I was a little discouraged. Only because I couldn't tell if they were antiques[?], or pieces made to look like antiques..
What comes to me is the kind of stuff thats discovered in a barn, basement or attic after 50 some-odd years! Filthy & smelly!
What I saw today, was a AMAzing store [that I would definitely revisit btw..]
But there was nothing there that fit my definition of 'Antique'.
...wondering if I'm in the wrong business now... ???
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i,ve always believed....that to be a dealer in "antiques"....you leave your conscience at home....
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Sounds like you were in a home furnishing store hemster.
Painting genuine antiques LOWERS their value! Oftentimes you can take 40-50% off what the piece would be unpainted.
If you have to paint furniture, go to Unpainted Arizona and pick up something cheap (and new). ;D ;D
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It goes in cycles,,. 40`s and 50`s everybody slapped coat after coat of white (usually) paint on things that had been inherited and passed down to them !! 70`s and 80`s people like me worked for hours trying to get it off !! Those things are todays antiques !! Back then it was just used furniture !!