Is this chair an antique?
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I picked this big old rocking chair up at an estate sale for $20 and I was hoping to paint it (or something) and sell it. Here's the pic of the chair and the stamp on the bottom of the seat, my question is if this is something I shouldn't paint or touch besides shining it up? It has two bolts that have been added to the underside of the seat, so it was broken and has been fixed before. Thanks guys!
6 answers
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Looks very similar to a "vintage" 1970's mass produced rocker that was in my parents home minus the gold accents, when I was much younger.
![Lagree Wyndham]()
Lagree Wyndham
on Jun 06, 2016
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The stamp on the chair is from a company called Virginia House furniture. These chairs sell on Etsy and eBay from $75 on up depending on the size, style and embellishments. It may be vintage but cannot be considered an antique until it is more than 100 years old. It's a great, heavy solid piece. Have fun deciding what you'll do!
![MN Mom]()
MN Mom
on Jun 06, 2016
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It is highly unlikely it is valuable now, or it ever will be in the future. Old (or vintage) does NOT automatically equal valuable. The problem is, television shows like the Antique Roadshow give the impression that every old or vintage piece of furniture is an "antique" and if anyone has an old piece of furniture they are automatically sitting on a goldmine. That's just not true. In reality, even most real antiques aren't as valuable as people think they are. The majority of wood furniture will likely never be truly valuable, much less attain priceless status. Therefore, painting does not devalue furniture that has little or minimal value to begin with. I think it is a real shame when people keep something that doesn't work for them or their decor "as is" just because it's old, or made of wood, or because it *might* be worth something *some day.* I don't believe there is anything wrong with reworking a piece of furniture into something that will put a smile on your face every time you walk past it. I always urge people to do whatever works for them and their home. If someone wants to paint a piece of furniture, old or new, go ahead and paint it! And, if someday in the future they (or someone else) no longer want a wood piece to remain painted, well that's what paint stripper and sandpaper were invented for! Paint it and sell it in good conscience! If you don't, someone else will.
![Shari]()
Shari
on Jun 06, 2016
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So it looks like these are selling "as is" listed as "vintage" on ebay from between $80 - $130 so now I just have to decide whether or not I think giving it a makeover with paint could add more value to it or if selling it as is would be the smartest choice. I'd hate to spend several hours on this chair to sell it for as much as I would have anyway lol. Thanks guys!
![GrandmasHouseDIY]()
GrandmasHouseDIY
on Jun 06, 2016
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Have a look at these pictures. I tranformed an old rocking chair to a new one. I use DIY chalk paint. Yours has nice stamps and paintings and it is in your decision if you finally change the colour.
![Kosmas Glykas]()
Kosmas Glykas
on Jun 06, 2016
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I have one almost identical to this that I'm thinking about painting. Can't wait to see how yours turns out.
![Meg @ Hello Farmhouse]()
Meg @ Hello Farmhouse
on Jun 06, 2016
Lagree Wyndham
on Jun 06, 2016
MN Mom
on Jun 06, 2016
Shari
on Jun 06, 2016
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