AboutMichael Andrew Wilson Expertise I will attempt to answer questions about European Antique Furniture and 20th Century
Decorative arts and Design furniture, including 18th century & 19th century construction
details, style, period and the craftsmen and manufactures that created them, I will also
attempt to answer questions about buying European Antiques and how to become a expert
collector, my speciality is French, Italian, English, Irish, Spanish, Belgium, Dutch, Danish,
Swedish, German, and Swiss.
Experience Since 1995, I have been, a professional art, antiques and design advisor and earned an unparalleled reputation for providing select clients: expertise in making informed purchase decisions for antiques and art acquisition from a wide range of categories and eras. Architects, interior designers, decorators, dealers, museums, collectors and private clients rely on me for a wide variety of services. I specialize in finding and facilitating the purchase of some of the most notable pieces in the market today. And because I know the market so well –including the secret locations where the world's best dealers purchase their stock – I are generally able to do this at a significant saving of both time and money.
My service includes: creating collecting and acquisition strategy including organizing personally guided buying trips throughout the International art and antiques markets, pre-shopping research, sourcing, analysis of markets, documentation and expert appraisals, handling, shipping and delivery coordination. In short, everything my clients need to be assured of the most knowledgeable, reliable, and pleasurable sourcing, acquisition and collecting experience. My approach is to offer maximum transparency. You can visit my website at: www.mawparis.com
Education/Credentials Moving to Paris in 1989, I worked, for five years as an Interior Design Project Manager for Polo Ralph Lauren where I helped to plan and open more than 60 Polo stores and showrooms across Europe and purchased antiques for one of Mr. Lauren's homes and as a result I oversaw the purchased over 30 million dollars of Art & Antiques, this experience gave a unique qualifications to understand the complexities of this market and gives me a rare insight into the professional antique & art market.
I also have taught “Furniture Design and Style” at the IESA (Institute Arts Superior) in Paris. and have a personal archive of over 170,000 photos of Furniture and 160 hours of video of the major European art and antiques fairs including: Paris’s Biennale des Antiquaires , Maastricht’s TAAF , and London’s Grosvenor House. Some of these videos can be see at: www.thewilsonreport.tv
Past/Present Clients I have a prestigious international clientele of noted business and entertainment figures as well as some of the word’s most important collectors, References are provided for serious enquires.
QUESTION: I have a table that has cabroile legs carved beautifully and a leather top w/ gold guild. It is dark wood.It has ball and claw on the legs. They are not perfect/ It looks like they have been knawed on by a dog or something. I took one of the legs off and found it has a peg and 2 screws. The screws have been replaced. The table is suppose to have come from Colorado and is very old.It was suppose to have been in attic for ages. I have been looking at pictures and it is Chippendale. I want to sell it but if it is worth a lot I don't want to get taken. The size is about the size of a coffee table and it is about that tall. On line they call one similar a library table. I know it sure looks old, and it has solid wood except for the top under the bottom of the top it has a very thin wood that is somewhat peeling off. It is also carved a little rustic because you can see the carving in a few small spots by the legs underneath that it is not machine made I don't think.
What do you think of its age? I know I am not sending a picture but I would sure like some advise about selling it. Also,do you know of any table like it?
Thank you, Linda Carlton
ANSWER: I really need a photo to tell what age this was made and this will help me determine who can sell this, (ie. a decorator, antique dealer or used furniture store)
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QUESTION: Thank you for your response. I could take a cell phone pic. If you tell me where to send it.
Thank you
ANSWER: Please attach any photo to this message, you can send a cell phone pic but I really need to see a clear photo to help.
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QUESTION: Here is the photo you requested. I have several don't know if it will let me send them or not.I tried to upload 9 pictures.
Thank you,
Answer I believe you can only upload one photo at a time, I have only seen this one image, but this looks like it could be 19th century reproduction (circa 1890s) of a chippendale coffee table, This is not an original Thomas Chippendale table because coffee tables were not made during the original period and the detail and depth of the carving are not the quality of his pieces.
I have seen hundreds of tables like this, at the end of the 19th century a lot of manufactures in England and the United States reproduced the Chippendale style. In England I can find exactly the same kind of table for around $300 dollars to $500 dollars. The Leg on yours will have to be restored by a professional if you want to sell it for the most possible money. But this is not something rare and is not worth a great deal of money.
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