Fine Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

Dr. Lori’s Furniture Tips

At my antiques appraisal events across the country, I evaluate objects with appraised values based on actual sales records, joke about the nonsense that is ever-prevalent in the world of art and antiques, and instruct audience members about what to look for when it comes to art, antiques and collectibles. Here are a few tips to remember when considering antique furniture.

Don’t Forget the Basics. Use and enjoy antique and vintage furniture in the intended manner. That means that chairs are not ladders, and sofas are not beds. Light can dry out, fade and otherwise damage antique and vintage furniture. Keep antiques out of direct sunlight. Oils are not the solution when trying to moisturize antique wooden furniture. Use oil on salads, not on sofas. Oils are not the solution when trying to moisturize antique wooden furniture. Use oil on salads, not on sofas. Depending on the piece, to protect furniture, conservators suggest such options as regular surface dusting to remove damaging dirt, an application of paste wax, and displaying the piece in an area that is free of dampness and direct sunlight. Of course, each piece of antique furniture has its own special needs. What’s best for one piece may not be the solution for another piece.

Pets, even the best behaved and well trained varieties, may significantly damage furniture, too. Encourage Fido and Fluffy to stay off the Victorian settee, Bertoia womb chair, and Chippendale tables.

Furniture is intended to be ergonomically correct and comfortable. However, comfort and style relate to the time period in which a piece was made. For instance, the shorter and slighter bodies of people living in the 18th Century prompted the production of furniture like petite settees, small-scale dressing tables and delicate chairs that were much more diminutive than today’s oversized and over-stuffed pieces.

Creature Comforts. When considering an antique chair, consider its physical origin as well as the origin of its style. For instance, an early American or colonial style wing chair would have been made to suit the sitter, the maker and to address regional characteristics. An American artisan may have produced an upholstered wing chair in order to provide good seating and warmth. The idea of the top or wings of the chair curving around in a gentle embrace at the shoulders of its intended sitter was a design consideration that was stylish and also helped to keep out drafts.

Remember, whenever you consider an antique which retains its original upholstery or a handmade needlework seat, consider the value of the upholstery. If you replace the upholstery, you may alter the value of the entire piece. Don’t be hasty to reupholster, repair, paint or re-stain an old chair. I have seen the costly results when folks have tried their hand at “fixing” an antique only to damage it beyond repair.

To evaluate a chair, consider the wooden stretcher, underside of the seat, top crest rail, arms, back, spindles and other elements. Warping to the wood, cracking, excessive nail holes from a previous upholstery job, or loss areas will impact value of an antique chair. Variations in staining colors may be the result of damage from wear or from the transfer of oils from human hands onto the piece of old furniture. Condition is key to value. 

Ph.D. antiques appraiser and awardwinning TV personality and TV talk show host, Dr. Lori presents antiques appraisal events nationwide. Join her on her next vacation cruise focusing on antiques this October. Watch Dr. Lori across the country on the Fine Living Network’s Worth Every Penny and on Daytime which airs on Atlanta’s ABC 2 WSB-DT at 9 am, Tampa’s NBC 8 at 10 am, Jacksonville’s CW 17 at 6 am, and others. Visit www.DrLoriV.com or call 888-431-1010.

Reupholstering furniture, like this antique wing chair, is not an activity to undertake lightly. When in doubt, get an expert.