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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: ayashe on July 17, 2009, 07:23:06 AM

Title: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: ayashe on July 17, 2009, 07:23:06 AM
I am interested in purchasing this sideboard/buffet. I'm not very good with dating furniture. I was hoping someone could give me a ballpark figure of what I should expect to pay for this item, and perhaps what era it dates from? It's oak with brass handles. It has "SLIGHT SCUFFS HERE AND THERE DUE TO AGE - NOTHING MAJOR" according to the person selling it. Thanks so much for any help!  :)

(http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr213/ayashe_sammie/antiques/BWfiUWQBGkKGrHgoOKj4EjlLmn4WBKr3TP3.jpg)
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: regularjoe2 on July 17, 2009, 09:56:55 AM
It appears to be a refinished item (just a semi-O.K. job , @ that) , and showing misc. normal signs of wear .
I'm curious to know : 1. do you have a pic of the dovetails on the drawers? 2. How old is the seller representing it to be & asking price ? 3. are all of the glued joints 'tight' & is the lock hardware intact ? 4. is the seller saying it's american or english ?

I've got a semi-opinion @ this point , but would like a bit more info .
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: ayashe on July 17, 2009, 08:03:04 PM
Well, LOL, it's on eBay *gasp* and I didn't want to mention that for risk of competition! But that's silly and doesn't matter.  :D I'm not sure about the dovetails so will ask the seller if they're willing to take a few photos for me. Their items tend to go for a bit, so I expect the price for this item will go up soon, plus it has several days left:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120448631860

Thanks for looking, and good questions. They don't mention what era they think it's from. Thanks again. My husband hates it already... doesn't like antiques! *sigh*  ::)

Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: ayashe on July 17, 2009, 08:06:17 PM
I just sent the seller and question containing some of the questions you asked me! Hope you don't mind.  :)
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: KC on July 17, 2009, 08:22:11 PM
I personally would love to get it for $75 but could live with $150 tops....but that is me and I am not you.  You have to really love something....not depend on us unknowns.  At the same time....if it goes too high....there is always another special find down the road!

I am not seeing the condition of the whole item, (stability of how it is made, etc.)  So the $$$ above is reflecting it is in good shape.
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: regularjoe2 on July 17, 2009, 09:32:34 PM
Although I don't know what the current market for oak furniture is like down under , I once again go along with KC's assesment .

At it's current price of $100 AUD (around $80 USD) , if it's 'tight' (not coming unglued) and the dovetails are hand cut , prob. not such a bad deal .

I do recall that drying , in the high seasonal temeratures , is an issue with wood antiques (that have been exposed to it , year after year ) down there .

Not really a high quality cabinet , but very utilitarian ... also not real b-ugly like the new stuff .

Seems like a low-cost & harmless way to torture the hubby too ...
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: dontbe on July 17, 2009, 09:33:36 PM
I would rather the spiral on the legs mirrored themselves, rather than both spinning the same way... That would indicate to me that it is newer that I would hope.
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: dontbe on July 17, 2009, 09:35:14 PM
... but very utilitarian ... also not real b-ugly like the new stuff .

Seems like a low-cost & harmless way to torture the hubby too ...

three reasons to buy it! ha.
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: ayashe on July 18, 2009, 03:22:28 AM
Thanks everyone! Yes, there is always another special find down the road, this is true! One day I will buy one, ha! :D Thanks for the points about the legs, I hadn't noticed. And I am awaiting their answer about the dovetailing and not coming unglued, etc. See? These are things I never would've thought about! Glad I'm on this forum since I'm a beginner, you're all a big help. I like the buffet's functionality. I'm less of an elaborate-antique girl, which I wish my hubby would appreciate. They are some very fancy antiques out there and he doesn't grasp that I like the more muted, humble types...of antiques! But, still it is a good way to torture him!  ;)
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: ayashe on July 23, 2009, 12:57:39 AM
Hello again everyone, thanks for the advice. Can anyone take a stab in the dark as to how old it is? 1930's? I am never good with guessing furniture ages.

I got an answer from them in an email regarding earlier questions. "Glued joints are tight and locks are all intact." I've asked about the dovetails now.
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: regularjoe2 on July 23, 2009, 08:01:48 AM
I'm still waiting to see those dovetails , before any age guess , ayashe ....
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: ayashe on July 23, 2009, 07:56:07 PM
Oh right... well, I don't think they're going to email me back. They are pretty slow with that sort of thing, and it's up to over $300 now so it's outta my budget. Thanks again for everyone's help though.  :)
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: regularjoe2 on July 23, 2009, 10:50:00 PM
Ya win some & loose some ...
I think you won some on this one by not loosing $300+ on it !
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: KC on July 24, 2009, 12:22:54 AM
Chin up...the right piece will come along that you will know in your gut is the one for you!
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: ayashe on July 30, 2009, 12:21:51 AM
Yes, you're all right, I'm sure I'll find the one out there for me... it'll be a great day when I do.  ;) Did ya'll notice that this one went for $860.00?? That's $705 US!! I knew it would go up, maybe to $400 max... but sheesh!  :o

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120448631860&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&salenotsupported
Title: Re: Help with a possible purchase please?
Post by: luxetveritas on July 31, 2009, 10:30:41 PM
Wow, huge price tag for an auction- and on eBay- AND on a piece of furniture on eBay! Seems like you saved yourself quite a bit of money. But here's the thing, there are always going to be better (and hopefully a lot cheaper) pieces out there. I have found some treasures, and you will too. Just have to keep searching, and regularly. I found one of my all time favorite pieces of furniture on Craig's List just a month or two ago, and I think I got a good deal too. Maybe not value wise, but I have never seen a piece even remotely like it. (I posted it on this forum a while back). You'll find something better, and cheaper :) Good luck :D