Antique China Questions About Antique Furniture

Posted in Antique Store on 03/27/2011 02:05 am by Ling

George asks…

Antique Furniture?

My grandmother passed away and we are selling some of her furniture. Is there a website that I can go look at to find what range of price we should put on the furniture? We have an old bedroom dresser, dresser with mirror, living room furniture, etc. Thanks for the help!!

Ling answers:

I'm not sure of websites, but a quick search engine search will point you toward those resources. I recommend asking a local antiques dealer or estate sale specialist to come and consult. You will probably pay them a commission of 20-30% but they will ensure that you get top dollar for the items that way.

Lizzie asks…

antique furniture?

where can i find out what i have
it is a china cabinet i think that it is mohagany but not sure and was wondering where i can find pictures of them to find it, i already looked on yahoo, google, and ebay.

Ling answers:

The simplest way to identify your china cabinet, is for you to take a photo of it to an antique shop in your area. Ask them to give you an idea as to what the style is, IE. Colonial, French Provincial, Old English... And so on. If you are looking for an appraisal, you may have to pay a fee for the appraisal. The appraiser should be able to identify the style of the unit, the age, and what it is made of. If you are lucky, you may even get to find out who made it. There are really very few antiques left out there now. Most real antiques are sought after by dealers, and collectors. Pieces that look like antiques could be just reproductions that are very well made. If you have one of those, don't be disappointed with the knowledge that your china cabinet is not an antique. At least, it is a usable piece of furniture.

Donald asks…

How can I treat antique furniture for bugs?

We bought an antique bookcase and later discovered it has bugs in it. They are eating the wood and leaving little piles of sawdust. They are very small and brown with little wings - they sort of resemble weevils. (I do not think they are termites.)

How do we kill them? Do we have to get rid of the bookcase? And, are we in danger of them spreading to other pieces of furniture or our hardwood floors?

Please help! Thanks.

Ling answers:

The problem you have resembles woodworm, if there is powder dust from tiny holes, this is from the larvae and then they migrate through your entire house if not treated quickly allegedly. I would treat the suspect item with a proprietary woodworm treatment, or get rid quickly before infestation occurs.

James asks…

Can you identify the style of antique furniture from a description of the back and legs of the chairs?

I have a matching antique dining set and I want to identify the style/period of the furniture. The back of the chairs is similar to Queen Anne however, the legs are turned and straight (plumb from the corner of the seat to the floor) not carved or cabriolet. There is a lot of detail in the turning (wide, narrow, beads above globe and urn shapes with concave cutouts running vertically to the leg). The top of the legs are square as is the point where the cross bracing attaches to the leg. Sorry I am not familiar with antique terminology. Can anyone identify this style (I can provide photos) or point me to an easy to use visual reference?

Ling answers:

Try this website. They have descriptions of all furniture styles.

Http://www.restorations.net/mainstyl.htm#queenanne

Sandra asks…

Antique auction house has not pay the sale proceeds of my furniture?

Last summer I sold many antique furniture through an auction house in London, but I have not yet received a payment of the sale proceeds despite my repeated letters and telephone calls.

Where should I go now? I am living abroad and the auction house might be taking advantage of it.