Skip to main content

Furniture Detective

Courtesy of Tom Merton/Caiaimage/GettyImages.com
Furniture

Use more brainpower when moving

By Fred TaylorAug 7, 2019
Common Hitchcock stencilled name. Courtesy of William J. Jenack Auctioneers, Chester, New York.
Antiques

Unfolding the saga of the Hitchcock Chair Co.

By Fred TaylorJul 11, 2019
Federal/Empire transitional chest.
Furniture Styles

An American history lesson at the auction

By Fred TaylorJun 26, 2019
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

By Fred TaylorJun 21, 2019
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

By Fred TaylorMay 23, 2019
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

By Fred TaylorMay 23, 2019
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

By Fred TaylorApr 30, 2019
Antiques

Dispelling long-held furniture myths

By Fred TaylorApr 9, 2019
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

By Fred TaylorApr 2, 2019
Larkin desk
Furniture Styles

When family furniture history is a fairy tale

By Fred TaylorMar 31, 2019
marble top mahogany parlor table
Care & Preservation

Functional Art: Use your antiques - wisely

By Fred TaylorMar 28, 2019
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

By Fred TaylorMar 4, 2019
Furniture Styles

Furniture care facts & fallacies on the web

By Fred TaylorFeb 20, 2019
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

By Fred TaylorJan 30, 2019
Furniture Styles

Guides to American furniture periods prove valuable

By Fred TaylorJan 18, 2019
Lincoln rocking chairs
Furniture Styles

How appraisal types affect market value

By Fred TaylorJan 4, 2019
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

By Fred TaylorDec 13, 2018
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

By Fred TaylorOct 17, 2018
sleigh bed
Furniture Styles

Auction terms novice bidders must know

By Fred TaylorOct 4, 2018
william & mary style butterfly antique table
Furniture Styles

All About Antique Expanding Tables

By Fred TaylorSep 2, 2020
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

By Fred TaylorSep 16, 2018
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

By Fred TaylorAug 15, 2018
Image placeholder title
Furniture

Consider these points when buying an old table

By Fred TaylorJul 5, 2018
wig stand
Furniture

Learn about old furniture forms that have fallen out of use

By Fred TaylorJun 21, 2018