Victorian Furniture

Is this a Merklen?

Started by Sylvia · March 27, 2010 · 5 posts · 4 images

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Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started March 27, 2010 by Sylvia · 5 posts, 4 image attachments · discussion in 2010.

I purchased this chair a few years ago. I am wondering if this is a Merklen? The claw feet hold balls that are made of wood. There is a brass castor on each foot. If this is an authentic Merklen, does anyone have any idea of the value?

I purchased this chair a few years ago. I am wondering if this is a  Merklen?  The claw feet hold balls that are made of wood. There is a brass castor on each foot.
If this is an authentic Merklen, does anyone have any idea of the value?
Antique%20chair2 — Is this a Merklen?
Antique%20chair2 — Is this a Merklen?
Antique%20chair3 — Is this a Merklen?
Antique%20chair3 — Is this a Merklen?
Antique%20chair%202 — Is this a Merklen?
Antique%20chair%202 — Is this a Merklen?
Yes, yours is attributable to Merklen.  There were making repros recently:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4079583

But yours is original.  Unfortunately, it doesn't have the arms and the better stretcher of this one that sold for $1,100:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5929722

So you could expect somewhere in the range of $700-$900.
I don't know if you can see by the picture but the seat was originally upholstered . As you can see by the enclosed pic, the original padding is there and it looks like straw and horse hair. Is that possible? Would that make if more rare?
Thanks for your help.
Chair seat 001 — Is this a Merklen?
Chair seat 001 — Is this a Merklen?
No, the straw and horse hair shouldn't impact rarity/value
I concur with John.  The chair is a Merklen and it is a little more rare than other Merklen pieces because they didn't start upholstery until the last two years of their business.  I don't think this adds any value.  It may actually detract from it because the last couple of years they were in business they didn't have their best designers or craftsmen anymore.

Paul Tucker