Can anyone tell me about these chairs?
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Any info about these chairs would be appreciated. I would like to refinish depending on what you think they may be worth. They are stamped on the bottom. Please see photos.
12 answers
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They are called plank bottom chairs
Mary Soulios
on Nov 05, 2013
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Thanks so much. I couldn't find anything online when I Googled it.
MaryKay@Studio23Thirty
on Nov 05, 2013
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I would think they are relatively old going by the plainness of the spindles on the back
Tammie M
on Nov 05, 2013
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Hey Mark Kay, There were several Phoenix Furniture companies operating between the late 1800's and the mid 1900's. One was in Sheboygan WI, which went out of business in 1906. Another was in Grand Rapids MI and they closed up shop in the early 1950's. Your chair looks to be a modified/simplified Windsor chair, probably made in around 1950. It is a mass produced piece made for durability as it was one of several chairs that came with a dining table, probably for a kitchen or casual dining room. It appears to be in very good condition. The finish is most likely original and it is not a valuable piece, therefore you should feel comfortable refinishing it. Keep in mind, it probably has a rather thick or heavy finish on it, not just a simple stain, so you may have a bit of work ahead. Best of success and do let us see the finished piece. By the way, my father and I had a business in Hanover Park for many years! First at the Tradewinds, northwest corner of Barrington and Irving and then built the white building on Irving next to Chiggy's.
Tamara
on Nov 06, 2013
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Hi Mary Kay, These chairs look like they might be maple- how many do you have? If its a set, they were most likely dining table chairs and came originally with a plainer style (colonial type) dining room chair. Because they were a super old US furniture company, I'd be inclined to keep restoration minimal. If there are no deep scratches you might try the Howard's Furniture Restorer finish in a color that matches. Its available at Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, etc - or similar hardware stores. It would bring depth and rich shine back to the wood. If they are heavily scratched, you're probably looking at stripping and refinishing - but DO preserve the Phoenix name on the bottom! If you like the shabby painted look that is popular, you could always go with a painted table Or use a nice chair pad which would add color but keep the beauty of the wood visible. Its a lovely, very simple design. Ebay has several Phoenix chairs, including an ad for an actual furniture brochure. Have fun with them! Debbie
Debbie Dickman - The Magpie's Cottage
on Nov 07, 2013
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I know them as Windsor chairs, very nice. But I would give them a cushion, otherwise the seat is a bit hard, I have some and they are Maple.
Rose S
on Nov 07, 2013
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original finish is always the best as far as value - these seems to be in reasonably good shape - why would you refinish them? Don't think these are that old maybe 1970's They certainly appear to be very well made and solid which means they should last forever . .
Jocelyne marchand
on Nov 07, 2013
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I agree that they are maple. Also, they look to be from the 50's to 70's. Very well made, solid dinette chairs.
Sue Walker
on Nov 07, 2013
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Our antique store gets these all the time -- they were probably made mid 50's -- while I love natural finishes, the trend these days is to paint -- if you use chalk paint you won't have to strip them. Recipe for chalk paint all over pinterest and Hometalk.
Debi McCoy
on Nov 07, 2013
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My grandparents had these chairs. I am 54 years old and don't remember any other chairs that they owned. They may have been purchased in the mid 50's because they sold their home in St Bernard Ohio, leaving all furniture behind when their home was torn down to complete I-75 through Cincinnati. I remember not caring for the chairs because how hard they were to sit on!
Bobbie B
on Nov 07, 2013
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There hardrock maple windsor chairs..Im going to guess from late 50s early 60s..Before I had them refinished I would have them appraised..Later chairs had turned spindles..
Gail lichtsinn
on Nov 07, 2013
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My grandmother had a set of these chairs and a dining room table. They were hard rock maple and I believe they bought them in the late 40's or early 50's. they were sturdy and they brought a pretty penny when they reitred in the 70's and moved into a retirement community setting. their condo had no dining room and neither did I at the time (in college dorms!) or I'd have asked/paid them for the set.
Barbara
on Jun 15, 2014
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