More Collectibles-General (Antiques) Answers
Question Library
Ask a question about Collectibles-General (Antiques)
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login
Awards
About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer
|
| |
|
|
| |
| | | |
About Fred Taylor
Expertise
I will attempt to answer questions about American antique furniture, including construction details, style, period, manufacturers, care, repair and storage. I do not have any background in appliances, musical instruments, sewing machines, lighting and clocks and will not respond to quesions about those items.
Experience
I ran an antique furniture restoration business for twenty years. I am a nationally syndicated columnist on the subject of antique furniture for such publications as Antique Week and New England Antiques Journal. I have produced one video on the subject of furniture identification and my book "HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE" is now available.I have also published articles in Antique Trader, Chicago Art Deco Society, Northeast Magazine, Victorian Decorating and Lifestyles, Professional Refinishing, Antiques and Art Around Florida and Antique Shoppe. You can visit my website at www.furnituredetective.com
Education/Credentials
BSBA Finance, University of Florida, MBA Finance, University of Florida
| | |
| |
You are here: Experts > Hobbies > Antiques: UK > Collectibles-General (Antiques) > Breakfront and dining room set
Expert: Fred Taylor - 11/3/2009
Question
Mr. Taylor,
We found you searching the web and read many of the questions and your answers during your vacation. One word: WOW
I hope you can help my wife and I. We purchased these pieces from a dealer and paid a total of $1600.00 dollars, because we liked them. They were sold as a set including the Breakfront, We are pretty sure they are a put together set. Unfortunately we cannot find the manufacturer any of these pieces.
The table has 2 leaves and totals 98" x 42' with two pedestal mounts with 3 legs each and the legs have carved designs , they have the only markings we found, a stenciled 968. The 6 chairs have a similar design as the table and only one chair has arms.
The breakfront has a secretary with storage draws, they cabinets are locked with a Skeleton key and an interesting design around the top. We have included Pictures for your review.
We are interested in learning who made them and when, as well if they have any value beyond what we paid and that we just like them for their design and beauty.
Regards
Eric & Linda
Answer
Eric - That is a nice looking set whether it is an "assembled" set or a genuine set. The set is a Colonial Revival reproduction of Federal period furniture from the early 1800s. The chairs are called "klismos" chairs. Here's some background.
http://www.buffaloah.com/f/fstyles/emp/klismos/klismos.html
The breakfront is called a "breakfront/secretary" because of the desk drawer in the top. The molding around the top is called "dentil" molding. This is a common molding seen on Federal pieces and qualifies as a fillet molding. It is a decorative trim molding of evenly spaced square or rectangular blocks that resemble teeth. Why it is spelled "dentil" instead of "dental" is lost on me. The dentil molding on this Colonial Revival cabinet is easily identified just below the crown.
The table, although Federal in style, actually is a reproduction of an 18th century English table with the sweeeping legs so often - and erroneously - attributed to Duncan Phyfe. The traditional orientation of the three legged pedestal is for the odd leg to stick out rather than in. This allows the diner on each end a more comfortable placement of feet and legs. The idea of turning the pedestal inward was developed during the Depression era when living psces were smalloer. The inward position allowed more room for passage around the table in small dining room.
You paid a premium price for the set and it is doubtful you could recover that price in the forseeable future. That doesn't matter if you realy like the set and use it.
Your set appears to have been made in the late 1940s or early 1950s. It was common in that period for manufacturers to not identify their work to accomodate dealers and department stores who often applied their own in-house labels. Without a manufacturer's label it is impossible to tell who made the set.
Enjoy that fine furniture. Thanks for writing.
Fred Taylor
www.furnituredetetciove.com
Add to this Answer Ask a Question
|
|
)