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Confusion is an emotion often
encountered when dealing with the subject of antiques, what to buy and
from whom are common queries. It is foolhardy to make sweeping
statements regarding matters which often come down to personal taste,
but in an effort to simplify a broad subject I will offer some advice
that may help clear the fog.
Antique country furniture
The most desirable pieces are often
dictated by their surface and integrity, rare and quirky forms are
also prized as are certain timbers such as yew, burr and pollard
woods.
The importance of patina in country
furniture can not be over emphasized, a C19th Windsor chair in ash
with fine patina is a far more pleasing prospect than an C18th one in
yew wood that has been stripped of it's original finish and French
polished.
Paint decorated furniture should be
given the same consideration, original painted surfaces, often
revealed by the laborious and highly skilled task of dry scraping
later layers of paint are to be treasured, as are historic paint
finishes often applied to furniture that was never intended to be
painted, to give it a new lease of life. Modern paint finishes
on antique pieces are best avoided and are often applied to cover up
failings.
By it's very nature country and
vernacular furniture will often have been subject to repair, a hand
cut nail through a table top was a sure and quick solution, as was a
strap hinge to a cupboard door when a pin hinge was worn. Such
repairs are as much a part of the pieces history as the dirt, wax and
general handling that created it's patina and are best left alone.
Changes of handles to update a piece are a common sight as are later
legs and feet on chests, it is up to the individual to decide whether
this is acceptable to them, the most important consideration is that
they are informed of the fact. |
