Hello and Help Identify

Monica

Newbie

Karma: 1
Posts: 5

« on: September 06, 2012, 01:51:44 AM »

Hello Everyone!
Glad I found you!
I recently acquired a six piece victorian parlor suite.....sofa, settee, platform rocker, and three side chairs (one with arms and two without arms) the wood is walnut and in good condition but some pieces will need new finish applied. The upholstery is in very bad condition on the sofa and two chairs, however what is on these pieces is the original, I believe. The settee, one chair and the platform rocker have been reupholstered, but I believe the stuffing and all those componenets are the originals. Even though they have been reupholstered at least once already I am going to have them redone as well (I don’t like two pieces and the platform rocker I like but I want all the pieces to match). I also have two very old cushions with the type of stuffing originally used on the furniture to help with the upholstery project. I am hoping someone can identify the maker and all pertinent facts about the set. Am I wrong in my thinking they are late 1800’s? I need to have an appraisal done, but I am unsure who I can trust to give me an accurate appraisal.


	Logged

Monica

Newbie

Karma: 1
Posts: 5

Re: Hello and Help Identify

« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2012, 02:28:51 AM »

More Pics


« Last Edit: September 06, 2012, 02:37:24 AM by Monica »	Logged

Monica

Newbie

Karma: 1
Posts: 5

Re: Hello and Help Identify

« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2012, 08:14:57 PM »

Okay I have had it appraised the person that did the appraisal said Eastlake....I also had been thinking Eastlake. Three and maybe four of the pieces have never been reupholstered, which is fairly obvious given the condition of the pieces.

What I really need help with is further research......I have yet to come across a piece of Eastlake Drawing/Parlor room furniture that does not have the back upper rail. So does this make the pieces more valuable or has anyone else seen late 1800's Eastlake without the back rail? Huh

I have purchased Eastlake's book and he talks about the back rail on furniture and I have not yet come across a mention of furniture without the rail.

I have also purchased a book by the Keno brothers and am waiting on its arrival.

Can someone please offer some suggestions on how I should proceed next. I know the pieces need reupholstered to make them usable, but I don't want to destroy their value in any way either.

The picture below shows the original fabric of all the pieces with the exception of the platform rocker....I do not yet know whether or not it has been reupholstered (I am guessing yes but I am not sure).


« Last Edit: September 21, 2012, 08:25:17 PM by Monica »	Logged

kevin

Jr. Member

Karma: 2
Posts: 94

Re: Hello and Help Identify

« Reply #3 on: October 03, 2012, 11:14:21 PM »

I don't think these are Eastlake. I believe they are aesthetic movement pieces with Renaissance Revival elements, ca. 1880 or so. It's nice to have the original upholstry, but it's even nicer to use the pieces as they were intended, i.e. to sit on. If you have them reupholstered in period-sensitive fabric, it should not take away from their value.


	Logged

kevin

Jr. Member

Karma: 2
Posts: 94

Re: Hello and Help Identify

« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2012, 11:16:16 PM »

Oh, and would you mind sharing the appraisal?


	Logged

Monica

Newbie

Karma: 1
Posts: 5

Re: Hello and Help Identify

« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2012, 02:25:44 PM »

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.....I would have agree. The appraiser also mentioned Aesthetic Movement and Eastlake Style and not Charles Eastlake as the maker. But he was still unable to find anything that even remotely resembles the deeply tufted back crest that is also buttonless which is also uncommon.

I fully intend to restore the pieces to usable condition. I also am in search of fabric that is close to its original upholstery. The small amounts of the fabric that I can see that are still in very good condition are stunning (at least to me they are Cry

). The dilemma to me is how far to take the restoration...the appraiser says I should strip back to frame and start from scratch. I really am a minimalist that likes to preserve as much as possible. I don't think the springs need replaced and I would love to be able to preserve the current tufting materials and only add what absolutely needs to be added in order to repair. Am I wrong in this approach? Am I going to be going too far .... too much work for very little reward? Just thinking out loud but, would love to hear other opinions on the topic!

The appraisal is for current condition:
Sofa $100 to $150
Settee $300 to $350
Rocker $175 to $200
Ladies Chair 1 $125 to $150
Gentleman's Chair $100 to $125

For a total of $875 to $1065

He said that after restoration should add an increase of 20 to 30 percent. But I should insure the pieces for for $2500 to $3000.

Do you think these figures ring true?

Thanks again for your interest!

Monica


	Logged

kevin

Jr. Member

Karma: 2
Posts: 94

Re: Hello and Help Identify

« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2012, 10:50:19 AM »

Hi Monica:

Yes, I think those figures are realistic, even a bit low. I have occasionally seen chairs with backs like yours, usually attributed to renaissance revival/aesthetic makers like Herter and Pottier & Stymus, or even Jelliff, slightly earlier. In most cases the dates are 1875-85.

I agree with your approach: do as little as possible to make the pieces meet your standards. Keep the horsehair if you can! Cheesy

On the other hand, do as much as you need to to make the set usable again. If you can get close to the old fabric when you reupholster, do so.


	Logged

Pages: [1]

« previous next »

Rare Victorian Forum