Help me identify this chair, old or reproduction
+7
I got it at a thrift store for a buck. I'm trying to investigate it's age. Nails, front caster,s no markings, horse hair and coil springs.
10 answers
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:(. Nobody?
Brenda Renaud-Sliwerski
on Mar 28, 2015
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@Brenda Renaud-Sliwerski Ok look at the construction of the chair. is it put together with flat head or phillips head screws. flat head are older forms of screws. what kind of nails are used are they round or square nails again square nails are older. pegs are the oldest form of all. do the nails look hand forged like a black smith made them kind of rough or do they look like they are all smooth and made by a machine. Can you see marks where the carving was done or is it all smooth like a machine would make it. you mention horsehair in the upholstery that is usually fairly old since it has been used recent years. either way you have a beautiful chair to redo and a great find.
Karlotta Stephenson Brown
on Mar 29, 2015
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Eastlake style
Jjtowner
on Mar 29, 2015
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Oldish. Perhaps the turn of the last century. The style and shape of it indicates that it may fit into the later Victorian era. By then trends were toward a less embellished and sleeker form. Fewer curlicues, scrolling, etc. Horsehair upholstery stuffing, even straw, was used until about the '30s or so. That was when that era's synthetic fillers became available. Look over the whole piece...closely and carefully. See if any areas of the wood have pulled away or have split along grain lines. These are signs of shrinkage which is something wood does over time because it loses moisture and because it reacts with its environment. Hard to tell what kind of wood it's made of but it is possible it's oak that has been stained to a dark walnut color. @Karlotta Stepenson Brown is correct in pointing out that slot head screws were the earlier of the types of screws used in furniture construction. Again, inspect the chair thoroughly. You will probably find more clues.
Swan Road Designs
on Mar 29, 2015
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What a great find. It is one of those occasional chairs that will fit into any room!
Jeanette S
on Mar 29, 2015
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Definitely Eastlake Victorian Style. Most of these pieces had very poor upholstery jobs, so it is hard to tell if it is original or redone, but if you search the internet you will see the colors and patterns that were used for this style of furniture. You got a great find for $1.
Dawn
on Mar 29, 2015
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If it still has horsehair upholstery....it's a good bet that it is late Victorian.
Maureen Millgard
on Mar 29, 2015
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I would say your piece is from the early 1900's to at latest 1920's. I have some pieces with the casters on the front legs and the same kind of carvings. Probably not a valuable piece as they were mass produced but look for a markers mark under the seat area or along the inside of the seat frame. If there is a mark it will tell you who manufactured the chair then do a google search.
Sherry Fram
on Mar 29, 2015
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Horsehair usually means Victorian -- but might be as late as the early 1900s. I hope you have a ball restoring your bargain!
Karen
on Mar 30, 2015
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its definitely the victorian era...it looks like an older piece that was probably broken/damaged and someone tried to fix it, unsuccessfully! the upholstery doesn't look original either...nonetheless, great score! ...at least you have something to work with!!! :))
C
on Mar 31, 2015
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