Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hello Eileen,
Thank you for your time. Today I looked at a Jacobean Dining set.Heavily carved beautifully intricate.In fair condition. It consists of a side board, server, table and 6 chairs, one in pieces. They are asking $1500. The 3 main pieces are unscathed but the wood in very dry condition from not being oiled.It is not varnished.Looks to be turn of the cent not 30's.
My concern is that the chairs need to be refinished,taken apart plus reupolstered.I'm not sure I can do the chairs myself and I'm thinking the chairs are going to have to be scrapped. I believe it might be too costly,my guess 100-300 a piece.
Can I get your opinion on this?I like the three pieces but obviously not for investment but look good in the home.I will have to use other chairs and then be lucky enouph to find something to match later on.
What would be a fair offer on said pieces cosidering thier condition? I am thinking $700-800. Do you think that is too much? I guess at this point its what its worth to me and what they will take.
Thank you so very much on any coments you might have.

Sincerely ,
Elizabeth


ANSWER: Hi Elizabeth
Nice to hear from you.
The picture did not enlarge from the thumbnail so its difficult to see this piece.
But it appears from the picture to be walnut that has had the original finish stripped and nothing put back on it. Thus the dry condition you describe.
I cannot imagine that this piece is from the 30's..did someone suggest it was?
Elizabeth for gosh sakes do not scrap the chairs.
I have never came across a chair that could not be fixed.
And if you think about it, its going to cost from $150 upwards to get decent replacement chairs (that don't match).
Without seeing these chairs it could very well be that its just simple upholstery techniques used to cover the seat and (backs?).
There is absolutely nothing wrong in making your offer of 700 or 800 dollars.
The seller can only reject.
You specifically ask "is that too much?"
Answer.. no.
And please keep me posted.
Kind Regards
Eileen





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QUESTION: http://picasaweb.google.com/cfuston/AntiqueDiningSet?authkey=q5kSVvSLGxE#
Hello Eileen and thank you so much for your reply.
I have included the link above (why didnt I try that before,du) to some close ups of the set.
The ouner said it belonged to her grandfather who bought it from a daughter of a man who had 3 sets made for his family. She said it was from the turn of the cent.
I have only been familiar with revivals from the 30's. I have looked over the net tonight to find something close to it but have not.Only the simple 30's looking version.
My husband is just reluctant because he knows how much work goes into this type of project. Earlier,when we went to look at the pieces,the gal said she would consider a lower price of the $1500 that she was asking.
We really do like the pieces the are so original and will look pretty cool in our home.We are going from "Vintage Bonanza" to "Pirates of the Carribean/Tavern/whatever looks good with the brick walls" decor. ;) We have an older Spanish/ranch style slumpstone home in California.
Sorry to go on about it. Just needed an ear to bend.
Thank you for taking the interest.
I am going to sleep on it. It's almost getting to be a space issue to.Need to find someone to give the Duncun Phyfe set to.

Good night and thanks again!

Warmly,
Elizabeth

Answer
Hi again Elizabeth
I just had a look at the pictures.
The set is made of oak with walnut veneer.
Its in extremely good condition.
It does have a finish on it but it looks so good I still say it has been refinished at some time.
Since our last letters, Fred Taylor our American furniture expert contacted me about your set.
Heres what Fred said
"The cabinet you commented on yesterday is indeed from the late 1920 to mid 1930s. It is a court cupboard that was revived for use as a china cabinet in the Depression era".
Many Thanks to Fred for that.
The chairs are just simple upholstery as I thought and fairly easy for the novice to recover.
Good Luck and I hope you get the set..at your price LOL.
Regards
Eileen