Old furniture is often altered

#MiddleburyCT #AlteredFurniture #Clock

It’s a current trend to buy inexpensive old furniture and alter it into something new. Some people may see this as disrespectful to history, but it’s a practice that has been going on for hundreds of years. Historically, everyday items like furniture and clothing were made to last, handed down for generations and altered to suit changing fashions.

Repainting old furniture is nothing new. This cabinet was made around 1830, but the elaborate decorations were added later. (Kovels.com photo)

Furniture of the Victorian era (about 1830-1900) came in many styles, all of which were elaborately decorated. Sometimes, earlier furniture in simpler styles like Queen Anne or Chippendale was recarved or had veneers or inlay added to fit newer, fancier fashions. More recently, the reverse has become more common: paint is stripped off or carvings are planed away to suit more modern, simpler tastes.

The pictured secretaire cabinet, which sold at a Bonhams auction in London, is an excellent example of the earlier trend of making furniture more elaborate. It was made around 1830, during the reign of William IV, but the auction catalog’s description included a salesroom notice saying, “the japanned decoration … is evidently of a later date.” Japanning is a type of painted finish that imitates the lacquer used by artisans in China and Japan. It was often used with gilt and colorful decorations, as shown here. The added decorations may have contributed to the cabinet’s appeal; it sold for 7,650 pounds, or about $9,274.

Q: I have a clock left to me and we have to downsize, so I’d like to sell it. Can you help me?

A: A working clock always sells, whether it’s to a homeowner looking to furnish a room or to a collector willing to pay for a rare piece. Find out as much as you can about your clock: its style, maker, material, approximate age, condition, etc. Look closely at the dial, including the edge, and at the backplate of the movement. A maker’s name or mark, patent date or serial number are helpful details. There are many books about identifying antique clocks; look for them at your library. Once you have identifying information, check price guides like Kovel’s or look at antique stores and shows or online auction results to see what similar clocks sell for. Clocks sell at most antique and estate auctions. If there is a clock repair service in your area, they may be able to help you. You may also want to contact the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (www.nawcc.org) for more information.

TIP: Never wash lacquered wood. Just wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Water could seep into the base wood and cause damage.

Current Prices
Cut glass, decanter, silver stopper, flute pattern, intaglio thistle, ray cut vase, 9 x 6 inches, $70.
Rug, Lilihan, red field, flower sprays, leaves, navy blue border, palmettes, wool, cotton, 60 x 42 inches, $250.
Paper, magazine, Time, Martin Luther King Jr., signed, March 19, 1965, $1,560.

For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com.

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