"I have an antique rocking chair I acquired at auction for a very reasonable price because the bottom is falling out of it. The canvas looking straps that hold in the sprigs are rotten and broken. I would just take them off but it looks like the springs inside are sewn...
refinishing
On a ‘Mission’ for well-made furniture
Like America itself, the impetus for one of the country's most influential lifestyles came from England. The great American tradition of Arts and Crafts furniture, pottery, art, architecture and metal work began with the discontent of a young, independently wealthy Englishman named William Morris (1834 - 1896).
Furniture Detective: Gum Wood Common in Antique Furniture
Early 20th century furniture made in America developed its own unique style, loosely known as Colonial Revival. It turns out that the wood most frequently used in American furniture in the first half of the 20th century was gum, also known as sweet gum, red gum, hazel pine, sap gum, satin walnut...
Furniture Detective: Antique furniture mythbusting
There is a body of erroneous wisdom about furniture that somehow manages to survive and even evolve from generation to generation, like an infection, in spite of repeated applications of the antibiotic — the facts.
Furniture Detective: How to detect ‘married’ furniture pieces
Tall bookcase secretaries are very impressive — not to mention expensive — especially if they are old and in great condition. The same goes for those wonderful old chest on chests with lots of drawers and a great provenance. But how can you tell if the piece is “right” and not assembled from various...
Historic lots based on epic poem lead Garth’s October auction
DELAWARE, Ohio — Are you attracted by the glamour of one of America's earliest and grandest mansions, the acumen of pioneering businessmen, and the beauty of finely executed oil paintings? If yes, Garth’s Auctioneers & Appraisers of Delaware, Ohio, has the perfect items for you
Furniture Detective: How to tell the age of furniture glass
A question that invariably pops up during the examination of an older or antique piece of furniture is “Is that the original glass?”
CA glue the latest tool for fixing loose veneer and chipped corners
For the antique furniture restorer, collector and dealer a new arrow in the quiver of adhesives has joined the struggle against loose veneer and chipped corners.
Furniture Detective: How can we label ‘American style’ furniture if we’re all immigrants?
We are a nation of immigrants, no discussion. Some of us have been here longer than others and some can even claim they came on the Mayflower, but that’s just a method of transportation, not a pedigree.
Bamboo, rattan, wicker or rush? How to determine seat composition
Old chairs very often have seating material that is – well you know – that woven stuff that comes in old chair seats. It’s not fabric, it’s not leather, it’s not cowhide, it’s what exactly? If you can’t identify the material off the top of your head, then your next move must be to...