We Buy Antique Furniture
Furniture is most often classified as antique when it is over 100 years old. However, not all 100-year old furniture has any value. Through the last few centuries experts have learned to identify furniture – tables, chairs, cabinets, chests, wardrobes, etc. relative to certain periods. Very often it is the age, condition, rarity or other special features that classify a piece of furniture as a collectable piece with value. Certain periods can be identified by certain styles or combination of styles of furniture. Elaborate pieces were a type of decorative art, symbols of the status of certain classes, and country houses to this day are filled with examples of such artistic styles, some complementing each other, while others can seem out of place. Furniture also had to be functional of course, some more so than other pieces, and had to be made to fit into rooms and spaces.
The earliest furniture was simple and practical, but as styles and decoration became more elaborate, some pieces could only be afforded by the wealthy.
In 1979 the British art reviewer Edward Lucie-Smith remarked that really nothing in antique which was made post 1830, however the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods became extremely popular, not only with regard to furniture but also of course Building styles, art generally and porcelain.
Some furniture from around the world was marked with a stamp, for instance in China, which makes it easier to date them.
New furniture today is made quite cheaply, not to last, bought for its functional purpose and not for value. People also buy antique furniture to put in their homes, but extra care is always needed to retain its value. We look to buy antique dining tables, occasional tables, chairs, bureaus, chests, wardrobes, even some sofas if they are in good condition. The most common woods used in Britain were mahogany, oak, pine, walnut and rosewood. These are all different in grain and colour.
Popular English period furniture is described according to the era in which it was made. The earliest is probably Elizabethan furniture, 1558-1603. This period was marked by heavy ornamental carvings, fruits and flowers with vines. Oak was generally used but more delicate pieces used walnut.
The Jacobean period 1603-1625. This is a Renaissance period, named for James 1 of England. The furniture attributed to this period features smaller, more delicate carvings, with sharper lines. Earlier examples were heavier with squared feet but later makers incorporated ball feet with turned legs and stretchers.
Then came the Carolean period 1625-1649, when during the reign of Charles 1, chests of drawers, wing chairs and day beds were introduced. Rather than the heavier oak, floral marquetry was popular with veneers. Velvet was widely used for upholstery.
Post the Charles 1 reign, came the Cromwellian period 1649-1660. This puritan era is marked by plain and practical furniture and furnishings, and their comfort was not a priority.
The Restoration when Charles II was restored to the throne, covered 1660-1689. James II also reigned during this period, 1685-1689. Furniture was made with decoration in the form of gold and silver embellishment. Wood panels were carved with various motifs. Table and chair legs were spiral and twisted in form.
1689-1702 covered the period of William and Mary. Early Baroque furniture was made in more elaborate and decorative styles, with inlays and different wood grains. These were the influence of Flemish makers introduced by William from Holland. Furniture is characterised by its lighter quality, raised off the ground. Dovetail joints also appeared around this era.
Queen Anne period covered 1702-1714. This is generally known as the late Baroque period, lighter again and more delicate. Table and chair legs were curved and spade feet became the norm. Chairs were more supportive. Commonly used woods were walnut and cherry, and carvings depicted shells and fans.
The Georgian/Regency period, covered 1714-1830. Four monarchs, George 1 to George IV, made popular the use of mahogany and chairs were ornately carved. This period was also marked by darker, heavier styles of furniture with inlays of brass. Regency chairs are much sought after by collectors today.
William IV 1830-1837. This period saw more exotic decorations introduced and rose wood was popularly used. There were innovations in the expanding dining tables, for instance.
The Victorian period 1837-1901. This period is generally known as the Industrial Revolution. Machinery was introduced more widely especially in furniture making and quantities more were made, to suit the wealthy classes as well as the poorer, middle classes. These pieces were characterised by being larger and heavier.
Edwardian period 1901-1910 is probably the last, more typical era which saw furniture styles evolve further, with the use of lighter wood and wicker and bamboo being introduced from abroad. Colours were generally lighter. Reproduction furniture got its name from cabinet makers reproducing older styles.
These are then the main, recognisable evolving periods as far as furniture is concerned.
Do you have any antique items of furniture that you wish to part with? In particular, Cabinets, Tables, Chairs, Wardrobes or Armoires from France? If you are worried about the fact that such items may not be in good condition then please do give us a call and one of our experienced team will be able to assist in identifying particular periods or styles of furniture. Photographs will also help of course.
We will be pleased to buy such pieces of furniture, and will even visit you in your home if this is practical.
