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Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Anthes-Baetz furniture

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Expert: - 7/14/2008


Question
Hi Eileen, not sure if you are able to help but I have been looking at a dining room table made by Anthes-Baetz and there is a large crack in the table leg.  The table  leg is solid oak (thick) and the crack is about 10-15 cm long.  What I would like to know is if the crack will eventually break the leg and in addition does this type of damage drastically reduce the value of the item?  Also there is an item number on the cert of auth which is #1216 do you know what this represents?

Answer
Hi Georgina
Nice to hear from you.
These cracks in old oak table legs are very common and do not effect the value or strength of the piece at all in my opinion.
It will not eventually break the leg.
The number you see could be an auction number.
Pieces going up for auction are given a number.
It could also be a style number from the factory but means nothing much to the buyer.
Hope this helps
Kind Regards
Eileen

Collectibles-General (Antiques)

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Eileen Cronk

Expertise

I can answer most questions about the repairing and refinishing of all your old furniture items (the things we call antiques). I can also give you advice on what wood items to choose and what wood items to avoid at auctions, flea markets etc. I DO NOT give appraisals on antiques as this is not my field of expertise.

Experience

I have been repairing, refinishing and of course buying old furniture for the past 30 years. On any given weekend I can be found at auction sales or flea markets searching out a good buy. I have taken several courses in this area over the years, but I find "Hands On" learning to be the best teacher. I can help you avoid the pitfalls and problems of this wonderful rewarding craft.

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