AboutFred 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
Question Hello Fred. We recently bought a solid wood armoire at a trift store and was wondering who make this great piece. I have looked inside and out and can find a marking. Do you have any suggestions where most manufactures would place there mark on Armoirs? If I send you a picture of this piece would that help?
Answer Phillip - Interestingly enough from around 1880 to about 1940 a great many, not all but quite a few, American manufacturers were shy about putting their names on their work. Some did not because of a practice called "stenciling" that was common in pianos and major case goods. The manufacturer did not mark pieces destined for a major retailer so that the retailer could put his own label on it, sort of the "house brand." Even those who did label their work marked them in random places so there is no uniform place to look for a mark or label.
If you can send me some clear photos of the armoire I will be happy to tell you what I can. You can send clear photos to me as .jpg files at info@furnituredetective.com. Please send the photos directly to me as .jpg files. DO NOT put them in an online photo album. Be sure to include a copy of your original inquiry so I can match them up or I will not respond.
Thanks
Fred Taylor
“HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE”
www.furnituredetective.com
