Antique & Vintage Furniture: What Should You Know Before Restoration?
OLD DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN VALUABLE.
VALUABLE DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN DON’T TOUCH IT.
AND WORN DOESN’T AUTOMATICALLY MEAN REFINISH IT.
Understand the piece first.
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FOUR DIFFERENT QUESTIONS
1. WHAT IS IT?
Identification.
2. WHAT CONDITION IS IT IN?
Condition assessment.
3. CAN IT BE REPAIRED OR RESTORED?
Restoration question.
4. WHAT IS IT WORTH?
Appraisal question.
These are related questions.
They are not the same question.
BEFORE STRIPPING, SANDING, PAINTING OR REPLACING ORIGINAL COMPONENTS:
- Photograph the piece.
- Photograph labels.
- Photograph hardware.
- Document family history.
- Save loose components.
- Consider whether collector value may matter.
- Seek an appropriate independent appraisal when necessary.
HAVE AN OLD PIECE AND DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT?
Start with:
- A full photo
- Back and underside photos where safely possible
- Labels or marks
- Hardware
- Drawers or interior construction
- Damage
- Approximate dimensions
- Anything your family knows about it