Victorian Furniture thread on victorianforum.com · started September 15, 2010 by renate1 · 9 posts · discussion in 2010.
Hi, I'm trying to pin down an approximate time period for the bedroom set we just recently purchased. All I know is that is came out of a New Orleans estate. The antique shop where we purchased this has more household items from that house and they are all in roughly the same…
Hi, I'm trying to pin down an approximate time period for the bedroom set we just recently purchased. All I know is that is came out of a New Orleans estate. The antique shop where we purchased this has more household items from that house and they are all in roughly the same style. I believe the bed has been altered at some point as there are filled holes in the top of the headboard (pictures will be shown) and also the footboard and rails look like they have been altered. The bed frame bolts together. I think the bed was altered to accomadate a king size mattress. Headboard measures 72H x 82W and was reupholstered after it was purchased from the estate. Both bedside cabinets do not have dust boards and have similiar carvings but I think they are different wood types and also the feet are different. The dovetail joints on the cabinets drawers are very large and crude. The first with the ball/claw feet measures 30H x 28W x 20D and the second measures 28H x 30W x 18D
My two main questions are approximate age of items and what type of wood (s) they are. I'm interested in a couple other pieces the gentleman has from this estate but want to know what I'm getting before I put any more money into items. We paid $1100 for the bed and (2) chests.
Hope that I'm wrong on this one, but in some aspects, it looks like examples I've seen of the reproduction Indonesian pieces being sent over for about the past two decades-the carvings are not as crisp as one might expect on antique pieces; the flat surfaces have a scraped appearance. A giveaway would be the acid-cure polyester finish commonly used over there, it is impervious to most solvents.
Otherwise, it looks very French and if not an Indonesian knock-off, then it's in very good shape. Please believe me, the skilled carvers over in Indonesia can make ANYTHING... from Rococo Revival "Lincoln Beds" to "Eastlake" and Neo Georgian, to turn of the last century Neo Empire pieces-but they are all made out of local mahagony and most are coated with the tough polyester finish that is a stipper/finisher's nightmare. If it is a repro set, it's worth about what you paid for it. If is actually is a French Empire style suite, then probably worth a little more. I'd have to see it in person to be 100% sure but after looking repeatedly, it still weighs more in favor of Indonesian than French. I've even bought a piece or two of these Indonesian examples myself at auction thinking they were old but later, after a careful examination, found out differently. From a decorative standpoint they are nice pieces! Lots of bed & breakfasts buy the Indonesian repro pieces because they hold up well to everyday use by guests.
Thanks for your reply. That's sort of the gut feeling I had as well. My husband really liked the set and the price we paid I don't feel bad about, just didn't want to go buying any more pieces if they were in fact reproductions. How would you go about testing the finish - to find out for sure?
I agree. Asian repro was my first guess due to the carving style and the mahogany and "scraped" appearance as vintrest puts it. The bed side rail hardware is consistent with the Indonesian furniture.
Thanks so much for your replies. I knew I could post on here and get "the facts" It's so nice to have people who are so knowledgeable in this area & willing to share their knowledge with us newbies :)
Couple of final questions. What are your opinions on the headboard - the guy we bought from said that when he got it the upholstered part was mohair? Do you think it came that way and he actually did have it reupholstered to the simulated leather or was he just bluffing us. And 2nd do you feel these are recent reproductions (last 15-20 years) are could they be from mid 1900's?
Again thanks for your replies, they have helped confirm some of my suspicions.
In answer to your most recent questions, I believe the headboard shows newer upholstery. Leather or vinyl padded headboards are most prone to scratches and damage; this one looks mint so it is probably recently done.
As for the beginnings of the "Indonesian" furniture invasion, I believe it started in the late 1980's, but that is when I saw the first pieces, so it may date initially from as much as a decade earlier. To the best of my knowledge, they were not imported before the 1970's. (to the U.S., at least). In the 1990's into our present decade, the furnishings market became flooded with these pieces. I've seen them come directly out of a container all card board wrapped and tied up with twine. I shudder to think how many rainforests in Borneo have had their giant virgin trees cut down to go into these pieces. A lot of lower end antiques shops have stocked some of these reproductions and if customers do not ask about authenticity or age, they usually do not mention it. I'm sure there are many other folks who have bought Indonesian pieces believing them to be old. These Indonesians are a talented bunch and have perfected their "antiquing" techniques. Although their carvings are done very quickly and usually shallow, they are done reasonably well. They use an original (most likely good photos) antique piece and then imitate it. Occasionally, a piece will be done so well that upon first glance it looks like an original but most are clearly evident as a reproduction.
As mentioned, when daily use is a goal, these repros provide affordable alternatives to authentic but fragile antique originals. I've met people before who would not allow anyone to sit on their real Belter sofas for fear of any damage that could hurt value. A problem sometimes seen in Indonesian pieces is splitting in the wood because the wood is often not fully cured (green wood) and the pieces are made in a high humidity environment. Taken to hot Texas, Arizona, or Southern California, a lot of them show cracks and splits in the wood.
The drawer sides are pictured and even they are Mahogany. Another giveaway that it is newer Indonesian furniture. They use Mahogany for everything - even parts that don't show.
Antiques always used a less expensive wood as the secondary wood for interior parts that were not seen unless the cabinet was opened (like Pine or Poplar in the US, often oak in Europe).
It's a nice looking set - you bought it because you liked it and paid a reasonable price. You can use it without worrying about damaging it and hurting it's value. Just enjoy it and don't lament that it is not a priceless antique set. Chalk it up as a learning experience.
