I guy gave me these very old chairs and table that had been sitting outside in the rain. I just refinished the last chair and now I have to do something with em. Quite sure they wouldn't go with rocks! The seats are really large and soft but the back feels horrible.

Question is what kind of style is this and what type person would want them. Might they be sellable or should I give them away?

I have to stop taking free stuff!! ...Kirk

http://www.geocities.com/PicketFence/Garden/8784/chairs.html

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2001

Answers

Kirk, the style is called Queen Anne. The genuine Queen Anne furniture dates to the mid-1700's. These that you have are almost certain to be reproductions. This style has been popular ever since then, and it would be difficult to guess WHEN they were made. If they're reproductions from the 1800's, they might be worth something. However, you can go to furniture stores like Ethan Allen or Pennsylvania House and buy this style chair today.

There are ways to tell approximately when and where pieces of furniture were made, but I'm not very conversant with them. However, evidence of the use of modern electrical tools and fasteners such as screws would tell you that it is a more recent production.

I assume the stained fabric is what was on them when you got them? It doesn't look particularly old, in terms of pattern, but it's hard to be certain. Within the Queen Anne style, there were a number of variations. This is one of the simpler versions -- others had more embellishment on them, such a carved shell motif at the top of the back, different back splats, different feet, etc.

If you think the construction shows evidence of these being made before modern tools and fasteners, then you might want to track down an antiques appraiser, who you would have to pay to appraise them. If you go to a mere dealer, he/she might not tell you the straight story in hopes of getting a bargain or outright steal. If you think they are modern, an antiques dealer might still be interested in them, since so many are running out of genuine antiques to stock their stores.

You say they're uncomfortable in the back -- perhaps someone else would find that it is suited to their configuration. I wouldn't venture a price to put on even modern reproductions, but if they're sturdy, that and your nice refinishing job should be worth something. Of course, if they were genuine Queen Anne, the worst thing you could have done, short of cutting them up for kindling, would be to refinish them.

I'm not an expert on antique anything, just have been interested in furniture styles and used to watch Antiques Roadshow faithfully.

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2001

Oh bleah, I meant to give you this link: Queen Anne furniture

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2001

Sounds like Queen Anne to me also, Kirk. That's a really nice style...probably would go with stone! Maybe you should sell the set and use the money to buy the supplies you'll need to fix up the next "free stuff" you get!!! And there will be more...I know, I have the same (bad??) habit!

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2001

Its no wonder those Brits are so stiff!! That back rides right on your spine. Goofy looking chairs aren't they?

Joy: yea these don't have screws but they are obviously modern. Maybe 1930s or so.

Marcia: You really think these would't look stupid in a rock house? Maybe I'll keep em if I could figure a way to pad those backs! Have the boys over for a spot of tea and some crumpets!! Whats a crumpet? Ha!

Thanks....Kirk

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2001

So Funny I have the same problem too, just the other day some down hill neighbors came bringing me an old rusted out wheel barrel saying that they just knew that I would think of something to do with it! Hm, well I do have some ideas! Well Kirk, you could set them chairs around in your garden painted pretty colors, have you seen people make the seats into flower pots. ? I got one setten in my yard with a flower pot man in it. I spotted it while junking, it was just too pretty to throw away. Have fun. TRen

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2001

"Have the guys over for a spot of tea and some crumpets" now that's a vision! Now Kirk, a crumpet is a kind of muffin that they toasted on griddles, I'm pretty sure, sort of like those things you fix at campfire's on those cast iron sandwhich things, I think they did it in the fireplace.(Those things are yummy!), Now, I don't know why I know this, maybe I dreamed about it once. but I soppose that I remembered it for the same reason that I can't remember what 9 times 9 is. ( It's O.K. tho. cause my BreBee showed me that magic way that you can know the nines on your fingers). Do you know about that ? O.K. What is 5 times 9. Hold your hands flat out in front of you. On your left hand take away the fifth finger, the number of fingers on your left hand is your first diget, the number of fingers left on your right hand is the 2nd diget.so the answer is 45. O.K. try it with 9 times 9. Counting from left to right, take away your ninth finger, The finger s to the left of the down finger are 8 and to the right 1, and that is your answer. Isnt that cool!

O.K. I really have stayed up too late now and one more glass of wine, and I might not make it to dream world.!

See ya! Tren

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

Hey Tren, that is so cool! I never heard that before.......I just showed it to my dear right-brained way-too-creative daughter who has lotsa trouble with basics like times tables.......she loves it!!

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

Kirk...I think they'd work in a stone house. It's called "country eclectic"!!! Did I spell that right? And I read on another post that you were gonna have the boys over for beer and...that other "stuff" :-)!!

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001