Fred Taylor

With more than 30 in the antique furniture business, Fred Taylor is a household name when it comes to the practical methods of identifying older and antique furniture: construction techniques; construction materials; and style. His Furniture Detective column runs regularly in Antique Trader.

Articles From This Author

Stickley Brothers arm chairs
Antique American

Stickley Brothers Style

This magnificent Rococo Revival chair in the Henry Clay pattern made by J. & J.W. Meeks, circa 1850, was factory made in New York. Image courtesy of Fred Taylor
Furniture

The handmade antiques conundrum

Courtesy of Tom Merton/Caiaimage/GettyImages.com
Furniture

Use more brainpower when moving

Common Hitchcock stencilled name. Courtesy of William J. Jenack Auctioneers, Chester, New York.
Antiques

Unfolding the saga of the Hitchcock Chair Co.

Federal/Empire transitional chest.
Furniture Styles

An American history lesson at the auction

The first look at the Gallery shows you panorama of American antique furniture that yells out to you “Hurry” but don’t. All photos courtesy of Fred Taylor.
Antiques

Dows gifted American antique furniture to Florida museum

These Federal D end console tables have drop leaves attached that would rest on a rectangular center section.
Furniture Styles

Expanding tables accommodate families of every size

The style of this furniture, made by Henry Belter and seen in the parlor of the antebellum mansion Rosalie in Natchez, Mississippi, was the American attempt to recreate the lavishness of the 18th century French court. The style is called Rococo Revival and was THE Victorian style of the second half of the 19th century.
Antiques

How to start studying furniture

Silly me. I thought this was just a cabinet or maybe a wardrobe. The owner thought it was an armoire. We were both wrong. It turned out to be a chifferobe based on the French word “chiffonier,” which is a tall narrow chest of drawers. It in turn is based on the French word “chiffon” meaning rags.
Antiques

How to speak French furniture

Antiques

Dispelling long-held furniture myths

18th century chair blocks, like the one pictured above, usually were made of soft wood with the grain running vertically. Submitted photo
Furniture Styles

New, Vintage, or Antique? Interpreting chair construction

Larkin desk
Furniture Styles

When family furniture history is a fairy tale

marble top mahogany parlor table
Care & Preservation

Functional Art: Use your antiques - wisely

The restored Gregory house sits on high bluff with a magnificent view of the Apalachicola River.
Furniture Styles

Furniture Finds: Florida state park is a gem in the rough

Furniture Styles

Furniture care facts & fallacies on the web

RubyLane seller The Front Porch Antiques (Woodstown, New Jersey) offers this 1930s Chippendale style tilt top tea table
Care & Preservation

Wood Furniture Care: Add oil only if it squeaks

Furniture Styles

Guides to American furniture periods prove valuable

Lincoln rocking chairs
Furniture Styles

How appraisal types affect market value

This numbered label from the Mahogany Association was the assurance that all exposed wood was genuine mahogany. Photo courtesy Fred Taylor
Furniture Styles

How to decipher vintage furniture labels

This late Victorian, Empire Revival parlor arm chair is made with a wide birch frame and is stained with a mahogany finish. It sold for $71 at EBTH.com. Courtesy of Everything But The House, www.ebth.com
Furniture Styles

Furniture Fakes: When furniture isn't as it appears

sleigh bed
Furniture Styles

Auction terms novice bidders must know

william & mary style butterfly antique table
Furniture Styles

All About Antique Expanding Tables

A descendant of the simple chest, this slender chest of drawers was called a chiffonier in France.
Furniture

Marrying functions results in new furniture forms

This chair is virtually identical to the chair the reader asked about – same style, same maker, same patent date, same condition. It sold for just under $500. The reader was not happy with that.
Furniture Styles

Disappointing furniture appraisals - You can't win 'em all

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Furniture

Consider these points when buying an old table

wig stand
Furniture

Learn about old furniture forms that have fallen out of use

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Furniture

Enjoy your high spirits on a low table

Cane chair
Furniture

Language Blunders: Look out for that cheire

Sleigh bed
Furniture

When the chase is more compelling than the piece

Ta-Bed secret compartment
Furniture

Where to Find Secret Compartments in Antique Furniture

Face chair
Furniture Styles

Examining furniture with creature features

Attribution desk question
Furniture

Buying or selling? Avoid the ‘attribution pit’

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Furniture

Current value of Empire couch is only about $150

Streit Slumber chair
Furniture

Slumber chair exhibits Oriental influence

oyster veneer on William and Mary chest
Furniture

Wood grain patterns depend on cutting process

Unglued "Sunday school" chair
Furniture

Find the best tool for dissolving wood glue in the kitchen

Restoring chifferobe
Furniture

Just Say No to Restoring Antique Furniture with Linseed Oil

'bonnet' chest
Furniture

Purpose of features aids in identifying wood chest

This is a Larkin “Combined Bookcase and Writing Desk No. 810” from 1908. (Submitted photo)
Furniture

Larkin side-by-side exhibits functional charm

Dumbwaiter
Furniture

'Dumbwaiter' handy aid for proper hostess

lane cedar chest
Furniture

Saving lives by replacing vintage Lane cedar chest locks

Furniture Detective professional restoration advice
Furniture

What Not To Do: Finding the right furniture guy

Empire Revival vanity
Furniture

Empire Revival vanity probably dates to 1920s

Carved chair
Furniture

Furniture Detective: Elaborately carved chair may be one-of-a-kind

atab
Furniture Styles

Furniture refinishing using guides and experience

Example of Oriental walnut
Furniture Styles

Furniture Detective: Depression era furniture terms

Art Deco vanity
Furniture

Dressing table displays classic Art Deco lines

Oak server
Furniture

Golden oak server is actually a soap premium

Chair
Furniture

Reproducing chairs may prove to be lofty goal

dining chairs
Furniture

Clues reveal chairs are made for dining room