Maybe I should carbon date.....

[Ed Bass]

Can anyone suggest a reliable opinion for dating vintage furniture? I have picked up an interesting parlor set. I'm not certain of the period and I've got many conflicting opinions so I'd like to find a definitive source.
Best, Toots

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Maybe would be easier to just take some pictures of it.....and post them for people to estimate the age on...


Besides..if its wood furniture...the CD might read for how old the -tree- was....which if it was a big old tree when it was made into your parlor set....might not be at all related to when the -set- and the design was made.

 

[griffer]

Back when I was on the scene, I only dated carbon.

It was kinda a rule.

 

[Josephine]

Back when I was on the scene, I only dated carbon.

I dunno, Hortas seem like they would be a hot date. lol

 

[Tony in Tarzana]

I dunno, Hortas seem like they would be a hot date. lol

No kill I.

 

[scotrace]

I think it really takes time to develop an "eye" for when something was made. Can you post pictures?

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

No kill I.

"I'm a doctor, not a bricklayer!"

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

I think it really takes time to develop an "eye" for when something was made. Can you post pictures?

That's true. I tend to go by how old something looks, but if something looks old or new, it's not always an indication of age. I found a book from 1918 the other day for instance that I would have sworn was much newer. [huh]

 

[RetroToday]

I'm pretty good at dating furniture. But, yeah, I kinda need to see it to even guess at the age. Post a picture or two and I'll give it a try, or at least direct you in a "ballpark" guess area.

Another "dating" problem is that there's always those "Revival" era furniture sets that come close to making you think it's older than it really is. For those you have to have a look underneath and see the materials they're constructed of and the methods they used to create them.

Older furniture tends to be constructed of wider whole pieces of wood, just because it used to be available - until they cut it all down to build that nice furniture!

I worked for two antique shops and learned a bunch while I was there, but I'm by no means an expert. I've also just been interested in all retro and antique stuff on my own time and discovered info. that way.

 

[Smyat]

Back when I was on the scene, I only dated carbon.

It was kinda a rule.

Does that mean no silicone?

 

[Ed Bass]

Maybe would be easier to just take some pictures of it.....and post them for people to estimate the age on...

Thanks Miss Neecerie, but this is just what I'm trying to avoid. I've had many "guesses" from people who think they know antique furniture but, as sure as they are, I've received a 60 year spread from the 1890's to the 1950's, European to American. So you see my dilemma. Posting pics here would only get the same estimated results. This is why I'm looking for a more difinitive source.

(the carbon dating was a joke)

Best, Toots

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Your local library will usually have a "hobby" or "collections" section.

I'm sure i saw a couple of books - "anthology of old furniture" or something like that - in that section in my library in Indiana.

And if there's any possibility that this parlour set was made form the 20s to the 50s, they are certainly covered in art, design and furniture-specific books.

bk

 

[scotrace]

Well, if you won't show pictures, there's not a lot to be done in this thread. That being said:

Styles were/are often revived. That's why you are getting such wide estimates. One person may look at a piece (A Windsor chair shown in another thread, for example) and, with an untrained eye, say that it is from the American Colonial period because, gosh, that's what it looks like. Well, there were several revivals of that period, and one can be fooled looking at an 1890's or 1930's chair in that style. So you'll get estimated dates all over the map. But there are still ways to tell with accuracy. Joinery techniques, style details, finishes, wear, dirt, carpenters/manufacturer's marks (not always obvious), hardware, evidence of repair, and much more all play a role. How was it made? Do we see the marks left by chisels or planes? Do we see the marks of a circular saw? Or a rip saw? Or is everything too perfect to be hand made? What woods are used? Is it old growth or newer? Are the materials used typical of the style it wants us to believe it's from? There are certainly ways to nail down when a piece was made within a year or two. But you ain't gonna pick up that knowledge on the quick time.
There's no magic answer except time spent educating yourself. Just the same as with hats or suits.
Read anything by the Keno brothers and you're off to a good start.

 

[Ed Bass]

Well, if you won't show pictures, there's not a lot to be done in this thread.

Perhaps you didn't understand my first post or I didn't make myself clear enough. I am looking for a source to date a particular set. Be it a good antique store owner, an antique appraiser or what have you.

If I post pictures here, can't you clearly see, what I will get is what I already have: Many varied opinions from people who have an interest, as I do, in vintage items, but who is the expert.

Again, I have already got many "opinions" but I'm looking for something a little more dependable.

If I asked for a vintage automobile or airplane appraiser would it be necessary to post a picture before I could get a name?

Still looking for some help...

Best, Toots

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Unfortunatly different antiques dealers and specialists all have different eras that they know best and handle. Couple that with this being something that really needs to be seen in person, my advice would be to contact a local antique dealer and ask them -who- they use for appraisals.

and go see that appraiser.

Although ever getting a -definative- answer may elude you, even with experts, different ones do indeed have different opinions on things.

 

[luvthatlulu]

If by saying "definitive source" you actually meant an irrefutable source, then carbon dating is probably the best option. No joke.