You are here:

Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Stomps Burkhardt chairs

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/24/2010


Question

Stomps Burkhardt chair
My husband purchased this dining "set" at an auction this past weekend. The chairs have a leather seat that are studded with brass tacks, and the underside seems to be made of wicker. One chair has a label marked "Stomps & Burkhardt, Co. Dayton, OH." My husband spoke with the gentleman who was selling it, and he stated that the set was his grandmother's, purchased "at the turn of the century." I did some research regarding the chairs- 'Stomps & Burkhardt' closed its doors in 1928- but I can't place the table. My husband would like to preserve the leather seating on the chairs, but make the underside more sturdy. Any suggestions?

Answer
Many years ago, one could buy these seats at the local hardware store to replace/cover broken caned seats. It sounds like this is what you may have.You can remove the seat and have it recaned or leave them in place. Leather can be softened with saddle soap or a similar product. Make sure the seats are leather because many were sold made of a pressed paper made to look like leather. The chairs will have the most value in their original state with the cane seats.
 Rob

Anderson's Restorations-Rob Anderson

Expertise

We can answer questions about wicker repair and restoration, chair seating[caning-rush-splint-danish cord] furniture refinishing and repair, brass and copper polishing, veneering and veneer repair. WE WILL NOT GIVE APPRAISALS or answer "WHATS IT WORTH" questions. If you want a value, contact us for our current costs for this service.

Experience

Just entered our 40th year doing this work. We started in Fl and have been in NC for the last 15 years. We have a web site www.andersonsrestorations.com where we have alot of information about us and a blog at www.andersons-restorations.blogspot.com where we have many before and after photos of our work.We also are experienced in Fiat Jolly Seats and other automobile seating and work on Horse Drawn Carriage pieces.

Organizations
Past president of a historical museum

Publications
Antique Shoppe Newspaper, Yadkin Valley Living Magazine, Antique Lynks Newspaper

Education/Credentials
Seminole HS in Seminole FL class of 1965 and some college before entering service. US Army

Awards and Honors
Asked to demonstrate seat weaving at the NC Musuem of History, Paleigh, for 3 days. Demonstrated at the Mountain Heritage Festival, Sparta,NC.

Past/Present Clients
Restoring 35 pieces of wicker for the Governors Mansion, Raleigh,NC paid through private funding.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.