Posted 11 years ago
antealtares
(4 items)
I found these pieces at a garage sale for a wealthy person selling for what seems like a pretty reasonable price. $250 (?).
I was wondering if anyone could identify them? Or their era? Or whatever there is that can be identified? I loved the pieces, but don't know anything about them or the genre they belong to.
It seems like there are all kinds of flowers and a bit of a greek design. Something kind of looks pineapply on the back. And then of course there are the eagle (turtle?) heads on all four sides. I simply don't know anything about these pieces.
Also - did I get ripped or did I get a good deal? :-)
Maybe from Bali. They offer brand new antiques made to order near all the resorts. While they are great woodworkers, they use woods that usually didn't end up in Victorian homes at the time and often contain a hodgepodge of devices and carvings that don't stylistically go together. There is also a lack of depth to the carving that antiques tend to have.
You didn't get ripped off, you clearly are enjoying them every day.
T A
It seems very old in person. Nicked, some glue here and there. Aged damage. Anyway to sniff out an obvious fake/new piece?
Here's a photo from underneath: https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/10273435_10102134214329339_8332324459770431966_n.jpg
There is no pride in that underside. A craftsman would not lazy out because no one would see it. Part of the tell is the use of tropical, albeit cheap, secondary woods.
Every month 40 ft containers arrive to shops around me, crammed full of this type of modern interpretation of antique furniture from Indonesia.
You like it, and THAT is what really matters.
T A
Most antique vs. reproduction websites suggest that different woods indicate antiquity whereas same woods mean reproduction. I can definitely tell this is very old from the way it has obviously aged over time. I just didn't know if it belonged to a certain period, or whatever.
Searched Indonesian antique furniture and the first website that pops up on Google has this: http://www.mahoganycrafter.com/planstand.php#6
Brand new...
T A
Yep - that's pretty close to what I have! Not the exact same, but lots of the elements are similar.
How much do these repro pieces usually run for?
I think you did OK. You didn't get ripped off. Knowing they were newer pieces may have given you some more room to negotiate, but at the end of the day, it's not Ikea particleboard, and you like them. ;)
T A
Thanks for your help - although it was not the answer I was hoping for. :-)
That's life my friend. Enjoy them, you can live with them without fear of spilling coffee on them. Email the company and inquire how much the plant stand sells for, as that will give you a little bit of comfort. Please keep sharing and we will try to help you learn and develop an eye.
T A