Furniture

The range of antique furniture to choose from is enormous. Some collectors prefer to concentrate on a certain type of wood or a particular style or period.

Originally, cabinet-makers used solid wood, but as their techniques improved, they began to apply veneers or thin sheets of wood, a far more economical way of using expensive woods. It also enabled them to create different effects by using a variety of grains. Veneered furniture has a carcass made from a less expensive wood such as oak or pine.

Rosewood was popular during the Regency and Victorian periods; elm for Windsor chairs. Chestnut was used during the 18th century for French provincial furniture and cherry, an orange-brown wood, was popular for Chippendale furniture. Chippendale is probably the most famous of all furniture makers and his pieces still command high prices.

 

Look for a rich mellow colour, the “patina” of the wood develops from years of wax polish and dirt. The proportions of a piece are also important and are a good indication as to whether a piece is “good”. Smaller pieces are the most desirable.

Furniture, like most antiques, goes in and out of fashion. Buy what you like and the very best you can afford and you won’t go far wrong with your investment. You will also have an investment that you can use and enjoy. Look out for modern design classics too that could become the antiques of the future.

Below are links relating to furniture:

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