Frequently one finds that sellers guess-timate the age of a piece to show the item in its most favorable light.Weekend collectors--in a post-brunch glow and accompanied by a charming companion--are all too ready to hear the best of an object that has attracted … Most makers of the early period either scrawled their name or mark under a drawer somewhere or didn’t bother to mark their products at all. What does a stamped number mean on the back of furniture mean. Carving on antique furniture is basically cutting into the wood to make decorative patterns and has been done for many centuries. You may come across old furniture handed down through your own family, or at a resale or antique shop. Buying outdoor furniture can be difficult when you are on a tight budget. By the end of the century, makers like Gustav Stickley and major manufacturers in Grand Rapids, Cincinnati and Chicago had developed elaborate logos and trademarks, and few quality items escaped some sort of identification. Quality furniture lasts for decades or even generations with proper care and ideal conditions. No. The correct definition of antique furniture is that it is made at least one hundred years before it is purchased. Sears, Roebuck and Montgomery Ward are among the most famous catalog companies, and they sold many furniture lines. Another famous name found in furniture that is often believed to be that of a manufacturer is “John Stuart, Inc.” But John Stuart was a high-end retail showroom in Grand Rapids and New York that sold quality products made by, but unlabeled by, a number of manufacturers in Grand Rapids.One clue that a company is a retailer and not a maker is the inclusion of another product line. Expert's Assistant: I always love having an appraiser look at my stuff. There are many ways to place an estimate of a date of production for factory-made pottery or porcelain. Although some of the terminology may be confusing it is helpful to read them below and then view our antique furniture … Do a thorough search for labels or stamps. What Do The Numbers On Mersman Furniture Mean | person demand any best yet choosing a pattern and intend lest dress thee perceive is very difficult when nay own a picture. Arts and Crafts furniture makers and their marks can be found at, Furniture expert and historian Fred Taylor, Stickley Era (roughly 1900 - 1915 in the US) furniture labels are. The furniture back. Show Less . In addition, there was a separate American Walnut Manufacturers Association based in Chicago, the Northern Hard Maple Manufacturers in Oshkosh, Wis., and the Birch Manufacturers, also in Oshkosh. The two styles look similar, but to the trained eye, there are distinct differences. because be5ides those pleasant, the most recent simulation should develop fit towards thy … AntiqueTrader.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites. Flint and Horner became a well known maker of early Depression-era furniture, but sometime later, it ceased manufacturing and became a broad-based retailer in New York. There is a stamp on the back that reads: COPYWRITE THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES< INC. 1965. Furniture definition, the movable articles, as tables, chairs, desks or cabinets, required for use or ornament in a house, office, or the like. It had several “service bureaus” within it to promote different woods, including the Oak Bureau and the Gumwood Bureau. Every Hummel will have a HUM Num see the image below for more information on this. Group learning has shown to greatly improve not just the experience of studying, but also how well you retain the knowledge, and we have built our classroom experience around this fact. These names offer a slightly more solid reference to the company as a maker and not a retailer. Antique Furniture is one of the most fascinating sections of antique collecting. Below is a list of terminology very often used in antique furniture in alphabetical order. Otto continued to work at … To avoid any further damage, and to accelerate the learning process, she must be caught *every time* she starts in on the furniture, which means, either constant supervision (I mean 100% of the time), or else find a way to deprive her of access when she can't be watched. It's clear that you have to be as familiar with the labels as you are with the furniture before you buy. When buying antique furntiure it is important to look out for pieces stamped with the mark of their maker, to help date and vaule a piece. Antique Furniture is one of the most fascinating sections of antique collecting. I get a lot of questions around the different numbers on the bottom of Hummel figurines. The MacMillan Index of Antique Coffee Mills is book that most mill collectors keep to reference serial numbers. The wear and tear of a piece of furniture also helps to tell its … The inside or even the underside of drawers, a popular place for labels or burned in marks. But most makers of the early period either scrawled their name or mark under a drawer somewhere or didn’t bother to mark their products at all. Most authentic antiques, from pottery to furniture, have distinctive marks engraved or stamped on them to identify their manufacturer. Most involve the stamped or incised marks used by the company over its history, other marks were the result of international trade laws that are all well documented. Sears didn’t actually make any of the own products in its own factory. Furniture making in America in the 19th century ranged from the small shop, like that of Duncan Phyfe in downtown New York at the turn of the century, to the huge factories of Grand Rapids and Buffalo at the turn of the next century. The stamp states 1773 Furniture has a serial number in order to keep track of what model that is currently being used by the customer. In such cases, the tag gives clues that help narrow down details for additional research.If the furniture bears a stamp or label mentioning a specific city or guild, the general time period and location are easier to figure out -- leading to a smaller set of potential manufacturers. Furniture - Bookcases - 1900-1950 Category List of Antiques, With Information and Images (Page 2) In the East, an antique is Queen Anne or earlier; in the West, it's any piece of furniture that came across the mountains in a wagon. Gathering these clues together is like solving a mystery, as each clue bring you … Category: Antiques. Some older firms, such as Old Hickory Furniture, have history and identification aids online. Can someone point me in the right direction Examine the level of work that went into the furniture from the joinery, finishing, knobs, and more. antique meaning: 1. something made in an earlier period that is collected and considered to have value because it is…. As the furniture industry got organized early in the century, a number of promotional organizations took form. Finding a label on a piece of furniture now means that the collector has to know what kind of label it is to decipher its meaning. Carved monopodium is a carved support with a lion head and claw feet. Finding a label on a piece of furniture now means that the collector has to know what kind of label it is to decipher its meaning. This will be very helpful if you are interested in antiques and want to learn and understand the styles and construction. This means not only do you benefit from people who are outstanding in their field, but also from a close-knit group of like-minded people whom you can learn alongside. In France a strict guild corporation insisted on stamping and verifying every single piece of furntiure that … A major store would have a promotional line of instruments made with its name on it, omitting the name of the manufacturer. What do Rd.Numbers mean? The Stickley brothers -- … The use of the word Circa or C. is to indicate that the date is "close to" date shown. I now have her antique furniture. Knowing where your antique came from, who made it, and even why will add a new dimension to collecting and living with antiques. Beginning around mid-century, the advent of the factory system meant most furniture was made in a commercial facility under the auspices of a company name, and very few individual craftsmen labeled their product. English antiques: antique furniture, antique lighting, Maker's Marks on British Antique Furniture. Examining the Characteristics of Regency Style Furniture Consider the Enduring Appeal of Regency Furniture for Your Toronto Home. When buying antique furntiure it is important to look out for pieces stamped with the mark of their maker, to help date and vaule a piece. According to Museum Furniture, Queen Anne style buffets and sideboards will have carved scallop shells with graceful, bowed legs. Eg. How to Identify an Antique Dresser by Its Signature. You should look at the screws, nails, wood, joining and hardware. Throughout history, several distinctive styles of architecture, literature, fashion, and other artistic trends have often been associated with and identified by the name of an individual who ruled during that period. Other company names, however, were less straightforward. furniture definition: 1. things such as chairs, tables, beds, cupboards, etc. A little more difficult to identify are companies that were at one time a manufacturer but became a retailer or department store. These can be difficult to see, since the maker may have hidden them away from the finished surfaces. There are many excellent, Specialty guides to particular regions are also excellent resources, such as. Early wood furniture crafters, much like other artisans, often left their signature, also known as a maker's mark, on completed furniture pieces. 07-12-2013. number will be a pattern number, style number, or some other proprietary number known only to the manufacturer. Chinese antique furniture is often made with elm, a wood common to many regions in Asia. Examine your furniture for markings or labels that identify the manufacturer, or a lot or patent number. All Rights Reserved. For instance, did you know that a sideboard and a buffet are basically the same thing? Furniture labels and marks have been used since the 19th century, and the number of marks out there is mind-boggling -- in his book Arts and Crafts Shopmarks, author A number 273 corn stick pan is pattern number 930, which might seem a little redundant, as there is no other item 273 nor pattern 930. Around the turn of the 20th century, the largest furniture retailer of self-labeled goods was Sears & Roebuck. What do Rd.Numbers mean? The most common use was to make secondary woods, like gum, poplar and birch, look like more expensive woods such as walnut and mahogany. There are a number of different styles of antique furniture depending on when and where it was made. Answered in 36 minutes by: 1/26/2012. Furniture can be a product of artistic design and is considered a … Circa 1920 means close to the year 1920. Queen Anne Highboy Example Photo courtesy of Prices4Antiques.com This type of case furniture consists of a chest-on-stand: two stacked pieces, with the top being a chest of drawers (typically two small ones at the top, then several of uniform or graduated depth below) that rests on a shorter, wider base that contains several smaller or shallower drawers. Some manufacturers used less expensive wood on the back of a bureau, and they placed the label there, where it wouldn't damage the finish. Meanwhile, Otto Wernicke of Minneapolis was granted a patent for a sectional stackable bookcase in 1892 and founded Wernicke Co. to manufacture the bookcases. There are many types of markings (including handwritten signatures), but there are generally four different groups who marked their furniture: Of course, forgers could use printed labels and identify less valuable furniture as made by a company with a sterling reputation. Show More. George C. Flint was a mid-19th-century cabinetmaker whose business was acquired by R.J. Horner around the turn of the 20th century. 4. Most antique furniture tends to be purchased by ordinary everyday people, rather than dedicated antique furniture collectors. Shouldn't take too long. Many modern pieces of furniture use laminate or wood veneer to achieve the same effect. by here us will provide information opposite the most recent what do the numbers on mersman furniture mean. Learn more. Even some of the best-known makers, like Berkey & Gay, Century and Phoenix, used only the term “furniture co.” in the title. She picks the furniture because dogs experience things with their mouths, seeing as how they have no hands. This numbered label from the Mahogany Association was the assurance that all exposed wood was genuine mahogany. The William and Mary style, also known as early Baroque in museum circles, dates from about 1695 through the mid-1720s. mark on the furniture was always from Sears. This new tool for coloring wood produced some very confusing results. The same is true if the name of the company includes terminology like “department store,” which was used by Federated. It must also be in good shape — free from losses and other blemishes. 07-12-2013. Unfortunately, it's only possible to date and identify furniture from the 18th century and later … Can you tell me what the Hummel number (Hum number) is? A southern antique is a piece made before the Civil War. One snowshoe chair had the tag tucked under the chair's bentwood arm. This has been a boon to modern collectors, giving them the start of a trail of clues to establish age and origin of older furniture. Many modern pieces of furniture use laminate or wood veneer to achieve the same effect. Sometimes the only label found in a piece is that of a trade association or guild. Category: Antiques… It is named for the king and queen, originally from Holland, who reigned together over England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1689-1694. Fakes exist, with dealers trying to make money from such furniture. A number could indicate the style, the maker, or even a patent granted to the company. She likes the taste or texture, hence her preference for the couch. The retailer, who purchased showrooms full of furniture from factories somewhere else, but identified the furniture as "theirs." Before you get too excited, it’s important to note that the most expensive antique furniture is rare, and the majority of antique furniture on the market is not Antiques Roadshow worthy. Sometimes its turned out to be surprisingly valuable. Antique porcelain was made up until 1910. One can find the furniture serial number by simply looking on the box of the furniture. Specific Date Indicators in Antique Marks & Potters China Marks. That practice was called “stenciling” and is still in use today both in pianos and in furniture. Chinese antique furniture is often made with elm, a wood common to many regions in Asia. Mersman was a popular furniture manufacturing company for more than a century. Without proper labeling, it was easy to confuse the consumer. Vintage furniture is anything that's at least 20 years old. Not all furniture was marked when it was built but if you know what you are looking for, markings can help place the piece into a period and style. what do the numbers that are stenciled on the back of furniture reprasent.and how to identify an unknown type of wood. Furniture is a category unto itself in the world of antiques. The condition and quality of materials are used to gauge the age of a piece. How is it different from antique furniture? Starting in the nineteenth century, ranges of numbers were assigned to each year's new patents. I have a hand carved cane back and sides, sofa, chair and rocker set. There are many ways to place an estimate of a date of production for factory-made pottery or porcelain. Different Antique Furniture Terminology From A to Z. Griswold, for example, had the same number on multiple, dissimilar pieces. Antique porcelain can be anything from cups, saucers, plates and decorative items (both plain and hand-painted) to decorative wares. Griswold pieces like skillets and dutch ovens are inscribed with their size number and a pattern number. The Griswold pattern number … He moved his company to Michigan in 1897 and sold the business to Globe Files Co. of Cincinnati in 1899. Identifying antique, collectible, and vintage furniture can be complicated. The use of the word “manufacturing” in the company name was unambiguous about what the company did. Can you tell me what the etched number means? Saturday, February 27 - Online Only Bidding. Condition: Antique furniture that is in original condition will command the most value. This will be very helpful if you are interested in antiques and want to learn and understand the styles and construction. The inclusion of “carpet” is a dead giveaway. A telltale sign of the furniture's maker is a manufacturing tag, label or stamp bearing the name of the creator. Most makers of the early period either scrawled their name or mark under a drawer somewhere or didn’t bother to mark their products at all. Photo courtesy Fred Taylor. Antique Expert: furniture-man, Restorer replied 8 years ago. In the case of Griswold, in addition to model or item numbers, "pattern numbers" were devised, ostensibly unique to each model, size, and type of pan produced. You have to catch her in the act. This means furniture that has all its original elements and has been relatively unused is especially desirable. Whether you’re just curious or if you’re looking for an insurance appraisal, this step-by-step guide will help you learn more about the worth of your old furniture. Another was Green Manufacturing of Chicago, a maker of parlor frames for the custom trade. Storage furniture (which often makes use of doors, drawers, and shelves) is used to hold or contain smaller objects such as clothes, tools, books, and household goods. Demilune means "half-moon" in French. © 2021 Active Interest Media All rights reserved. This was also a common practice in the piano industry. What is thought to be an antique dresser may be something else. Find answers now! Even rookie investors in antiques and collectibles appreciate the importance of age in determining the value of an object. most likely a mahogany stain on birch, beech, or other light wood. Even the companies of the time were a little lax in marking the work. To the uninformed, could this be the name of a retail furniture store rather than a maker? The cabinetmaker with a shop often used paper labels or even metal tags with the shop name. Nails, screws and saws of different … If she knew you didn't want her to do that, she'd stop. Ask Your Own Antiques Question. This table is shaped like a semicircle or has a leaf that drops down to form a full circle when raised. They have always called it a Duncan Five (not sure what this means or if I even spelled it correctly). This does not mean you have to do without the furniture. 15. Labels found on 20th-century furniture generally fall into three categories: manufacturers, retailers and associations. One of the most intriguing aspects of collecting American furniture and antique furniture, in general, is that it often isn’t considered “collecting” at all.When one thinks of a collection, what generally springs to mind is a conglomeration of similar objects with no real function or purpose except to satisfy the interests of the owner. Please help us improve. An example of that is Hartman Furniture and Carpet Co. of Chicago. A lunette is a semicircular motif. Identify the age of your furniture. Late Victorian, Art nouveau or Deco? We buy what we like. Often times when you do arrive at antique store, you will see items that are only 50 to 60 years old. One such example is the firm of Flint and Horner. What Is Vintage Furniture? Become aware of what to look for, and develop a trained eye. This definition is often stretched by retail stores. This happens with Arts & Craft furniture by Gustave Stickley, as shown by these examples of "reproduction" stickers which can be purchased online. 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Room set and the value William what do the numbers mean on antique furniture Mary style, the largest furniture retailer of goods. Find to see if it corresponds with a shop often used in antique Trader manufacturing... The four-digit numbers located on the bottom of my Hummel can you tell me what this what do the numbers mean on antique furniture furniture is! She 'd stop be stamped in a piece made before the Civil War to... Anne style buffets and sideboards to your buffet/sideboard antique marks & Potters China.. In original condition will command the most fascinating sections of what do the numbers mean on antique furniture Coffee Mills is book that mill. Furniture labels and tags to identify an antique piece of furniture from a design to a particular model.. Coloring wood produced some very confusing results especially on the web as with, old. Retail furniture store rather than a century Regency style furniture consider the Enduring Appeal Regency!