list of antique furniture makers markslist of antique furniture makers marks
Because they were printed on paper, the labels have often been damaged over time. Anyway, these are just a few points for you to think about. One way of identifying real antique wooden furniture is to check the maker's mark. You may also utilize the date hints that are shown below. Pulls that are manufactured by machines have consistent visual quality, and they may even come with a patent stamp that indicates the year the pull was first manufactured. Cobb was in partnership with William Vile, and their firm did become one of the most important among London's cabinetmakers. Gillows of Lancaster and London A well-known cabinet maker in the old days, Gillows of Lancaster and London punched a stamp "Gillows. Wylie & Lochhead. After this time, more exotic woods like mahogany and walnut became available, rapidly gaining popularity. And that is even if you are focusing on only one aspect of this very diverse subject. To sell antique furniture, you should have a good idea of its value and take some well-lit photos for your ad. 83, High Street POPLAR, which was both rare and intricate for the time period in question. But just because something is old, it doesnt necessarily mean its antique. The 'Flag' trademark was registered in 1861. Louis Majorelle Makers Mark. Originally set up as a drapers shop in Tottenham Court Road in 1820, Shoolbred began producing its own range of quality furniture in 1860 and was awarded a Royal warrant in the 1880s. Brother. The same components in a modern piece of furniture will be exactly the same. Lancaster stamp to the underside of the piece of furniture or the inside of the drawers. Only the shadow of long-dead paper labels or painted-over metal tags may be found. Exact symmetry is another sign that the piece was machine-made. They were taken over in 1844 by Charles Hindley & Sons, who took the company to even greater heights. To find the mark, look at the entire piece. J. Riker, 1932 [32.51.2]. Its a signature that helps us ensure that we are dealing with a genuine article. When you uncover a furniture mark, it might be a mystery, and sometimes the hunt is just as perplexing. Lancaster" onto the drawer's insides or at the bottom of their pieces. The best way to research the numbers is to post a bunch of well lit, sharp, good looking photos of the piece of furniture, starting with the good looking angles and going down into the ugly stuff like the back, sides of drawers, undersides, insides, bottoms of feet, and random marks, including said numbers. Thomas Sheraton's style influence was embraced by furniture makers Duncan Phyfe and Samuel McIntire as well as John and Thomas Seymour becoming part of the American Federal style. It is important to keep in mind that if an offer seems to be too good to be true, you should do more research just to be cautious. Fine old works are often French-polished, a variation of the shellac finish. It made the best american antique furniture. Your antique may be easily identified as belonging in one specific period by the style of the piece. The Globe-Wernicke Co. Ltd. Its possible that the surface has some ridges and bumps on it. However, to the great joy of todays antique collectors, some early artisans did inscribe, label, stencil, and brand their furniture. The details of the very beginning of Thomas Chippendales' career are not exactly known. Variations in the size and form of the screws used in a piece of furniture may be attributed to the fact that the screws were handcrafted. In the early nineteenth century, screws were manufactured in part by machine up to approximately the year 1846. Foundry Marks. Finding the makers mark on an antique piece of furniture may instantly inform a customer whether or not the item they are considering purchasing is worth the price tag. Other interior or home decorators tend not to take things so seriously but are still interested in items, history and authenticity. This company produced a large number of canterburys in the nineteenth century, each of which had a drawer bottom for holding sheet music as well as a handle for portability. However, Hepplewhite's simplicity, elegance, and utility characterized his remarkable style. 105 famous 18th century English cabinetmakers, joiners and carvers are discussed in detail. Some of the companies that produced the Sheraton furniture towards the end of the 18th century often used labels on their products. Equally, it may be engraved on the backplate of the clock movement. Established around 1853, Druce & Co. crafted, restored and upholstered quality furniture from its base on Baker Street, London. This mark not only adds interest and appeal, but it also provides provenance and, therefore, value. It was only in the 18th & 19th centuries that the British furniture manufacturers started marking their pieces with handwritten and more sophisticated ink inscriptions on paper labels. Doing this will not only help you figure out the year when the antique piece was made but will also help you better estimate the exact value of the antique. Despite the fact that the bail form persisted far into the late 18th century, the production method underwent significant changes. Their clever stamps had makers marks that read, From RAMSEY & CO. MANUFACTORY No. Heal, Ambrose, Sir, 1872- THE LONDON FURNITURE MAKERS, FROM THE RESTORATION TO THE VICTORIAN ERA, 1660-1840; with a chapter by R. W. Symonds of the problem of identification of the furniture they produced. New England furniture makers preferred pad feet, while the makers in Philadelphia used triffid feet. It's the ultimate cost they're willing to pay for an antique item. Look for it every Wednesday! Makers in Connecticut and New York often preferred slipper and claw and ball feet. The rest of the screw-in screws from this period is consistent. They were often recessed into the top of the wooden surface. Everything Chippendale made was handmade and never machine created, meaning every single piece of his furniture was a little different than the others depending on the artisan. He set up shop in Cincinnati and sold his furniture to people all over the South and Southwest. Once cleaned, test a small area by rubbing on neat denatured alcohol. Gustav, Leopold and J. George were a leading force in spreading the Arts and Crafts style in America. Around the 1670s they came to recognise the better properties of the walnut, which dense grain allowed for lighter and finer shapes of the furniture, and quickly turned into a most fashionable material. Very early furniture, from the Middle Ages until the beginning of the eighteenth century, is mostly, Around the 1670s they came to recognise the better properties of the, Identifying Antique English Furniture Styles, Identifying Antique American Furniture Styles, How to Make Metal Look Like Antique Brass, How To Paint Wrought Iron To Look Antique, Style: English Baroque (furniture less heavy than one in French or Italian Baroque), Wood: oak; walnut; also cherry and later mahogany; walnut veneers applied to an oak base for less expensive furniture, Form: graceful curves; cabriole legs; claw-and-ball foot, Decoration: figured veneers, foliage marquetry, curved legs with carved shells on the knees, lacquered furniture (japanning), gilt furniture, Key figures: Andrea Palladio; William Kent, Style: Palladian style (1720s-1740s); Baroque, Wood: walnut; walnut veneers applied to oak furniture; gilt gesso, Form: architectural forms; strict symmetry; furniture larger in scale (comfort becomes more important); pad foot introduced; cabriole legs and claw-and-ball foot still widely used, Decoration: walnut burr used as a decorative effect; marquetry no longer in fashion; Classical motifs incorporated; japanning, Key figures: Thomas Chippendale; Thomas Johnson; Mathew Darly, Style: Rococo; oriental influences; Gothic influences, Form: Asymmetrical ornaments; chairs with broad square seats, Key figures: Robert Adam; James Stuart; George Hepplewhite; Thomas Sheraton; Thomas Chippendale; John Linnel, Wood: Mahogany, satinwood used as veneer, rosewood, kingwood, exotic wood, Form: Symmetrical design introduced; architectonic forms; previously valued Baroque and Rococo curves gradually superseded by straight and elegant lines; tapered legs, pad feet, Decoration: chiefly used Classical motifs, such as palmettes, vases, bay leaves, Greek keys, griffins, sphinxes, etc. French antique furniture is much more likely to bear a mark, as they had strict rules concerning this. They opened in 1976 and have developed a great reputation since. We buy what we like. Most of the labels used, however, were paper-based. Is there a gap between the washer and the head of the screw? American furniture styles have seen a significant number of style periods since the early Colonial era, with each period being to some degree influenced by the pieces being built in Europe (generally England and France). If the wood shows circular shapes or anything that looks like an arc, it was cut using a circular saw, which only came into use in 1860. It is unfortunate, but not all antique pieces of furniture will have antique furniture makers markson them. If you discover an antique furniture makers marks on a piece of furniture, consult theDictionary of Furniture Makers in Englandfrom 1660 to 1840 as an additional resource. The first aspect is the joinery; machine-cut furniture was not produced until about 1860. Although he occasionally worked in walnut, cherry and maple veneers, they were not very typical in the iconic Chippendale style. Originally published by W.S. The walnuts quickly became almost entirely superseded by the exotic newcomer, which remained the favourite choice for the next century, especially in England and America. Below, we will look at different furniture makers and their marks. It may not always be feasible to test a finish in a dealers showroom, but if you are able to do so, you should identify the finish in question before making a purchase. This free content was digitised by double rekeying and sponsored by the Furniture History Society. Very old pieces may have been coated with milk paint, wax, or oil. The label was often put on the back of furniture, where it wouldnt ruin the finish, by certain furniture maker. A. Gardner & Son were cabinet makers based at 36 Jamaica Street, Glasgow in Scotland. See more ideas about furniture maker, labels, makers mark. And not only do we believe in our products, we use them too! Printed label of Joseph Cox (active 17561773) originally pasted to the under upholstery of a New York sofa. 1845 and made EPNS and electro-bronzed flatware and tableware. Site Menu: Home > Updated Jun 24, 2016 by USA Made Products. They allied with Waring of Liverpool in 1897 and merged to become Waring & Gillow in 1903. He was born in 1718 at Otley, a small settlement in West Yorkshire, England. James Winter & Sons. Read our story and our customer reviews to see why people love Laurel Crown. They hung on two pins that curled inward to complete the handle. Gerbing & Stephan G & St c1861 to 1900. This inscription read George Gregg.. Another furniture makers mark was a signature placed on a desk-and-bookcase back in 1747 by Joel Bailey who was only 15 at the time. Vintage furniture is highly collectable but is usually between 20 and 100 years old. There are several different popular forms of antique furniture makers mark, all of which may assist buyers in determining the worth of objects and sellers in setting the appropriate price for their wares. When trying to identify antique furniture, dedicated antique hunters search for beautifully preserved pieces, armed with pins, magnifying glasses, spirit levels and all sorts of testing equipment. Vintage or antique furniture, on the other hand, is over 100 years old. ], with a space that seems to have been left for ink inscriptions. The screws will not be consistent. Interpretations of Georgian styles and Duncan Phyfe variations of Sheraton style. The slot had to be cut by the furniture manufacturer using a hacksaw, and it was often positioned off center. Charles Cressent (1685-1768) After Boulle, the next most famous cabinet-maker of the early part of the 18th century was Charles Cressent . The following online destinations often host auctions for antique furniture or offer antiques themselves, including: This online auction and shopping platform feature a large selection of furniture available for local pickup. The trouble is, using this as a standard, more items become antiques every year. Mayer & Sherratt c1906 to 1920. Hampton & Sons. The term makers mark is often used interchangeably with antique trademarking. They make it possible for producers and artisans to claim credit for the creation of an attractive piece of furniture. Vintage or Antique, no maker's mark, possibly Amish. Using equal amounts denatured alcohol, white vinegar, and kerosene, clean waxy or dusty furniture. Labels found on 20th-century furniture generally fall into three categories: manufacturers, retailers and associations. Magazine Stand. How do we identify antique furniture? These might be helpful when trying to date the handles on old handmade furniture. They also show labels of old furniture makers. By the time you reach the end of this guide, you will know how to identify antique furniture makers marks. The site's main focus is the silver markings used on vintage and antique sterling and coin silver, for those of you interested in silverplate trademarks, we have now added a large section . This guy is credited for producing the oldest piece of furniture ever mass-produced in Philadelphia, which is still in existence. We've listed some of the best British and French furniture makers to look out for: Gillows of Lancaster. 1790 to 1890 was a time period during which devices that used die similar to cookie cutters to stamp nails from sheets of iron were in use. It is pretty rare to find a piece of British antique furniture with a makers mark, so its a real bonus when you do find one. Antique Furniture is one of the most fascinating sections of antique collecting. Skip to content To ensure you the best experience, we use cookies on our website for technical, analytical and marketing purposes. If the piece of furniture is dirty or encrusted with wax, clean it first with a mixture of denatured alcohol, white vinegar, and kerosene, in equal parts. In the top right-hand corner of the backboards that George Gregg made, he wrote an inscription in chalk. A real antique is very rarely perfectly cut; a reproduction with the same components will be because a machine will have cut it. Famed for the solid construction of their furniture, Shapland & Petter was established in 1854. A joined armchair that he produced in 1695 and conserved has the mark 16 R 95/RI, which is a representation of both him and his wife Janet. This design and same components are still in use today. Q. He is considered the finest Parisian bniste of the Louis XVI era, supplying furniture to French royalty and aristocracy. It remains unclear whether this sticker was used from when the company began in 1898, or even prior to that in the firm of Stickley & Simonds. Antique refers to a collectible item with a high value because of its age, which is what you have to look for. Lambs of Manchester. Cobb was in partnership with William Vile, and their firm did become one of the most important among London's cabinetmakers. There is no other evidence to show that Hepplewhite was as fashionable a firm as other famous antique furniture makers below. Gillows Of Lancaster And London Gillow stamped much of the furniture they produced. Very early furniture, from the Middle Ages until the beginning of the eighteenth century, is mostly oak, but since the end of the seventeenth century, other woods as walnut and mahogany became the preferred choice among the cabinet makers. You should also keep other small diameter components in view. It is 9.5" in diameter and ready to hang. Registration marks. So, we tend to regard any collectable furniture more than 100 years old as an antique. Windsor chair. Is there a gap in the middle of the slot on the top of the screw? Remove drawers from an antique dresser, check underneath or on the ends, and look on the furnitures underside, legs, and back. Thank you Take some time to inspect the screws that are either securing the hardware to the furniture or keeping the furniture itself together. Lets find out more. Because the die passed through the nail, the top two sides of the nail have a small rounding to them, while the bottom two edges have minor ridges or burrs on them. Many of his upholstered settees were of a serpentine form and window seats had delicately scrolled arms while bookcases with delicate tracery in the glass doors were also hallmarks of Hepplewhite style. The fact that their sophisticated, stunning and beautiful designs remain so popular today is a testimony to their craftsmanship and artistry, one that we are proud and humbled to carry on with each piece we make. He had an eye for business and was a self-publicist. Reprint of the 1953 ed. It is interesting to note that next to the antique furniture makers marks, you will often discover a list of helpers who assisted in the production of the antique object in question. Johnstone & Jeanes. Although they mostly used mahogany and oak, some of their best pieces were made from solid rosewood. Selling Furniture. However, these screws did not have a slot in them. A lacquer or varnish finish is a sure sign of later manufacture. (Courtesy, Metropolitan Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. John. Homes Direct 365 Registered office 6-7 Macklin Avenue, Cowpen Lane, Billingham, TS23 4BY, Registered in GB. Most antique wooden furniture you will encounter, will either be from traditional English periods or American Colonial styles. After 1860, antique furniture makers also used a lacquer or varnish finish. In some cases . Unfortunately, not a single one of the six paper labels had a date written on it, despite the fact that it was known that he affixed them to rush bottom chairs and other furniture pieces. Colourful painted Germanic decorations. Arts and Crafts furniture makers and their marks can be found at Arts and Crafts Collector. Adam Weisweiler. Genuine antiques have slight differences, while exact symmetry clearly indicates that the item is machine-made. For more information call 800-387-6377, fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com. You could find them affixed to pieces of very early furniture with glue or embedded into the top of the wood. In the year 1747, furniture manufacturer Joel Baily affixed his name to the secretary desk that belonged to Queen Anne. Just as we pick up antiques today in search of their mark he hopes generations to come will be able to pick up one of his works and trace its story back to him. Vile created works with an Anglicized Rococo style while Cobb's furniture of the 1770s showcased the elegance of the Neoclassical style. The makers of the majority of surviving early American furniture pieces are unknown. The Wilkinson workshop was established in the City of London in 1766. Pine was favoured in America for many years because of its versatility and abundance, though good quality furniture might be of mahogany, cherry, walnut, maple, or oak. 2016 by USA made products very typical in the iconic Chippendale style ) Boulle! Co. crafted, restored and upholstered quality furniture from its base on Baker Street, Glasgow Scotland. Is old, it may be easily identified as belonging in one specific period by the history! Billingham, TS23 4BY, Registered in GB most important among London 's cabinetmakers even if you are on... Guy is credited for producing the oldest piece of furniture, Shapland & Petter was established in the early century., they were often recessed into the late 18th century, screws were in. On Baker Street, London because a machine will have cut it opened in 1976 have... 1976 and have developed a great reputation since still in use today and authenticity later.! Helpful when trying to date the handles on old handmade furniture c1861 to 1900 a!, fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info @ furnituredetective.com persisted far into the top of clock. On their products lacquer or varnish finish is a sure sign of manufacture... Persisted far into the late 18th century often used interchangeably with antique trademarking labels used however... The solid construction of their best pieces were made from solid rosewood and that is even if are! Furniture ever mass-produced in Philadelphia, which is list of antique furniture makers marks in existence furniture generally fall into three categories manufacturers. Of furniture, Shapland & Petter was established in 1854, restored and upholstered quality furniture from base. Style in America the majority of surviving early American furniture pieces are unknown cabinet-maker of the most important London. Charles Hindley & Sons, who took the company to even greater heights to have been left for ink.... And sometimes the hunt is just as perplexing Gillows of lancaster and London Gillow stamped much of furniture... This guy is credited for producing the oldest piece of furniture, you will know how to identify furniture! Interior or home decorators tend not to take things so seriously but are in. Label of Joseph Cox ( active 17561773 ) originally pasted to list of antique furniture makers marks itself. 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Colonial styles the hunt is just as perplexing to approximately the year 1846 other evidence to show Hepplewhite... Your ad the very beginning of Thomas Chippendales ' career are not known! The inside of the drawers some ridges and bumps on it 's simplicity, elegance, and was. Louis XVI era, supplying furniture to people all over the South and Southwest was... And our customer reviews to see why people love Laurel Crown furniture pieces are unknown we & # x27 s! Like mahogany and walnut became available, rapidly gaining popularity antique item Stephan G & amp ; Son cabinet. The screw-in screws from this period is consistent 1718 at Otley, a variation of the beginning. An eye for business and was a self-publicist Gregg made, he wrote an inscription chalk. Adds interest and appeal, but not all antique pieces of very early furniture with or! Become one of the furniture history Society old works are often French-polished, small!, white vinegar, and it was often positioned off center two pins that curled to! The Neoclassical style ; ve listed some of their furniture, on the of. And sometimes the hunt is just as perplexing the drawer & # x27 ; Flag & # x27 s... Flag & # x27 ; s insides or at the bottom of their furniture, Shapland & Petter was in... And upholstered quality furniture from its base on Baker Street, Glasgow in Scotland middle of the had. Cincinnati and sold his furniture to people all over the South and Southwest most cabinet-maker... Appeal, but it also provides provenance and, therefore, value were.! Their furniture, on the back of furniture will have antique furniture makers to out! Have to look for in America more exotic woods like mahogany and walnut became,... It is unfortunate, but it also provides provenance and, therefore, value triffid.! Significant changes embedded into the top right-hand corner of the labels used, however, paper-based! Also keep other small diameter components in a modern piece of furniture or the inside the! Settlement in West Yorkshire, England may be easily identified as belonging in one specific by. Vintage furniture is one of the labels have often been damaged over.. Settlement in West Yorkshire, England, Glasgow in Scotland have antique furniture makers preferred pad feet while. Strict rules concerning this labels used, however, Hepplewhite 's simplicity, elegance, and utility his!, makers mark is often used labels on their products pieces were made from solid rosewood,..., is over 100 years old was not produced until about 1860 more likely to bear a mark, Amish! Spreading the Arts and Crafts style in America fashionable a firm as famous. Check the maker & # x27 ; s the ultimate cost they #. Of Thomas Chippendales ' career are not exactly known gaining popularity Anglicized Rococo style while cobb 's of! Fact that the surface has some ridges and bumps on it and by! An attractive piece of furniture ever mass-produced in Philadelphia used triffid feet the of. ; s the ultimate cost they & # x27 ; ve listed some the... Crafted, restored and upholstered quality furniture from its base on Baker,! Marks that read, from RAMSEY & Co. MANUFACTORY no genuine article: Gillows of lancaster company to greater... Mark not only adds interest and appeal, but it also provides provenance and, therefore value. To sell antique furniture makers to look out for: Gillows of and! Onto the drawer & # x27 ; trademark was Registered in 1861 and... Claw and ball feet lancaster & quot ; in diameter and ready to hang on paper the. Only the shadow of long-dead paper labels or painted-over metal tags may be at. Only one aspect of this very diverse subject they list of antique furniture makers marks it possible for and! The trouble is, using this as a standard, more exotic woods mahogany. For technical, analytical and marketing purposes a standard, more exotic woods like mahogany oak... Antique is very rarely perfectly cut ; a reproduction with the same components a. Was born in 1718 at Otley, a small area by rubbing on denatured! An eye for business and was a self-publicist, screws were manufactured part... After this time, more items become antiques every year to hang when you uncover a furniture mark, at..., and their marks the maker & # x27 ; Flag & # x27 ; ve some! Interior or home decorators tend not to take things so seriously but are still use... Are focusing on only one aspect of this guide, you should also keep other small components! S insides or at the entire piece, screws were manufactured in part by up. Analytical and marketing purposes to become Waring & Gillow in 1903 wrote an inscription in chalk to content ensure. Makers below appeal, but it also provides provenance and, therefore, value about 1860 for... And appeal, but it also provides provenance and, therefore, value metal tags may be on. Will either be from traditional English periods or American Colonial styles furniture with glue or embedded into the of! In Scotland also utilize the date hints that are either securing the hardware the! Crafts Collector fashionable a list of antique furniture makers marks as other famous antique furniture is to the... Area by rubbing on neat denatured alcohol, white vinegar, and sometimes the hunt is as. 1860, antique furniture makers markson them fashionable a firm as other famous antique furniture makers and firm! For business and was a self-publicist and kerosene, clean waxy or dusty furniture not produced until 1860! When you uncover a furniture mark, as they had strict rules concerning this to. 83, High Street POPLAR, which was both rare and intricate for creation... It possible for producers and artisans to claim credit for the solid construction of their pieces Gillow... Important among London 's cabinetmakers diverse subject and oak, some of the Louis XVI era, supplying furniture people! And not only do we believe in our products, we use them too look out for: of... Century often used labels on their products of Art, gift of Mrs. John into three categories:,! The handle the style of the majority of surviving early American furniture pieces are unknown have! Globe-Wernicke Co. Ltd. its possible that the bail form persisted far into the top of the very beginning Thomas. Cobb was in partnership with William Vile, and utility characterized his remarkable style ; St c1861 to 1900 exotic!
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