Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have been trying to find out more information and the value of my antique buffet table. Can someone help?
Unfortunately that is a fairly generic manufacturing sign. The style is sort of a rustic cottage style and I do notice it has a few nicks
You could probably get $200 or so for it
As to being antique - do you have provenance information dating this buffet? It's possible it could be vintage but not sure about it being an 'antique' and there is generally a big difference in value.
Since there are no brand markings it would be difficult to place a value on your piece.
It does also seem to have several flaws which would reduce the value especially if they are permanent and not just small scratches.
The value of pieces like this (unless something rare or really sought after) usually depend on the condition and the area where they are located as not many would be willing to pay the high cost of shipping an item like this.
As far as the area goes, where you live may be buying pieces like this but most areas will not be too keen on having large pieces like this. Our society is more into light, easy to move items as people just do not stay in one place for long periods of time.
If you bought it 'for a song' then you may have a feel for your area but you can always go to sites that have 'local pick up only' for your area and see what is listed for sale and what is selling.
You can also list it for sale on those sites but you'll need good pictures and a good description.
As to the price,; you can start your price anywhere you wish and lower it if no one seems interested.
This has been in my family for a long time. Does anyone know the age of the dresser and what it is possibly worth?
Normally dressers like this should have a label on the back, under the dresser, or in one of the drawers that gives you an idea of who has made this and the type of wood the dresser is made out of. Just trying to guess who has made this and the age is a bit difficult without knowing more about the company that has made it.
Any thoughts on age or value of this side table?
Is that metal inside the area where there is a cabinet door? I can't quite tell how the metal (if that is what it is) is affixed. Can you tell what kind of metal it is--does a magnet stick to it? Is it rusted or just discolored?
Does it appear it would hold water? Meaning that this section would be used as an ice box?
Would a bottle (like wine or whiskey) fit in the two holders?
This piece has me quite fascinated. I need to figure out what it is first and then help you figure out value.
How tall is it? The connections to look old (the dovetails). It may be a hand made, one of a kind custom piece someone built for the antique equivalent of a man cave.
Does the drawer open? Is there anything marked on the underside of the drawer or inside the drawer?
This is so cool. I hope to learn more so we can figure out what you have and the value.
I just bought this chest of drawers at an estate sale for $35. The elderly lady (probably in her 80s) I bought it from said it belonged to her husband's grandmother who lived to be 102.
Can anyone identify the era and possibly the even the value of this piece?
so here's a link that will tell you what different furniture is called which will help you ID the piece
theantiquesalmanac.com/furniturecalled.htm
I can't attest to the peice in question but if what the lady said is correct, you are looking at a Civil War Era chest of drawers. If so you can get as much as $1500, looks like
This has been in the family for 50 years that we know of. Can you help?
My husband auctions part time, and I sometimes clerk for him. In my area, at a general auction this would probably go for around $40. But, if it were at a vintage auction, closer to $60.
Would love to know more about these beautiful pieces!
Here is a little history of Alphonse Mucha. He was a graphic art cabinet maker and a large part of his art was displayed on the cabinets he made. He is a Czech illustrator and his works are from 1860 to 1939. You can see many of his pieces of art by visiting the Museum of Art and History online. The style of art he did back in the 1900s was known as Art Nouveau. He did do an exhibit in Paris in 1900. According to most people, Mucha was able to find the perfect environment to exploit his magnificent qualities as an artist which made his graphic work one of the most innovative of its time. His work was the most recognized and marketed after his death.
Alphonso Mucha was a fascinating person. He tried many different 'professions' - even singing - but his love was art.
There is a lot of history online about him as well as his paintings and a large article on Wiki.
One fascinating thing to was that when Czechoslovakia won it's independence after World War I, Mucha designed the new postage stamps, banknotes, and other government documents for the new state." This shows how diverse his painting/drawing abilities were.
About your cabinets - your pictures do not really show cabinets clearly and you do not mention any measurements.
Although you do not mention value, online sales are generally where you can find the most information about almost anything. I have found very few cabinets listed for sale or sold but I also did not find any indication these were very rare.
It seems there are quite a few of the wine cabinets listed for sale but your cabinets appear to be the smaller version and I'm not sure what these were actually used for.
Here is one link that shows 2 cabinets listed for sale along with 4 wall divider panels. It appears to still be for sale.
Describes cabinets:
33 in H X 14 in square box with doors & 1 Shelf
www.letgo.com/
If you take several pictures of a single cabinet and give measurements you may be able to post on these sites and I feel sure someone will answer with the information you're looking for.
You will have to join some sites:
www.reddit.com/
Even a museum:
Bio & history of Alphonso Mucha
www.alfonsmucha.org/
www.alfonsmucha.org/
This chair is ebony in color. It was in my grandmother's home. It is probably from the 1920s and 1930s. It is very old, very heavy, and very ornate.
I don't even know where to start to get an approximate value and how to sell.
Ebay has similar ornately carved armchairs selling from $1,000.00 and more. You could list your chair there or on pinterest if you're wanting to sell it. You have a really nice family heirloom.
There are a lot of different syles on eBay like someone has pointed out. Before trusting the selling price people are asking I would actually seek advise from a dealer on this one. I think it is best to get it appraised first. You might find out that the asking price for some of these is way too high or maybe even too low.
Herrmann furniture 2470. Can someone give me any idea what these units are worth?
I am trying to determine the value of this antique magazine rack side table. It is 12" x 24" x 24"h. Any information is much appreciated.
Everything about this table seems to be a 'contradictory in terms' as every piece seems to be from a different area/country.
The pictures do not tell a good enough story to be able to do research.
Maybe with some more information someone might be able to help.
You say antique so how did you find out this is an antique? Has it been in your family? Or do you have some knowledge of its past?
What is the trim around the table top made of?
Is the marking on the top inlaid? Made of what type material?
Where are you finding the company marking?
If underneath the top - please post a couple of pictures of the underside.
Also post a picture of the full side view.
When I say contradictory this is what I mean:
The 'picture' on top appears to be Oriental/Asian while the design on the side seems to a German Swastika (although backwards in your picture).
I do not believe the two would be on the same piece but perhaps many years ago this could have happened.
The wording about the company has 'This Cabinet made by...' and I'm not sure this would have been called a cabinet.
Maybe with a little more information and pictures someone will find something beneficial.
Hopefully, another member, Pghgirl, will see this and make some comments as she has a lot more knowledge about 'strange' furniture.
I am trying to find out the age and value of my 2 antique sideboards.
There are way to many different styles out there and without more information it is so hard to narrow down the search to find yours. Look on the back of each piece, under each piece, or even in the drawers to find out what you can. If they are older pieces then they normally are marked with numbers, letters, and the company who has made them. If you can find this info please post it here. If you can't find anything then you will need to seek help from a antique shop in your area to tell you more about them.
Antique server made of oak. It has three draws and lower cabinet. It is in great condition.
You have Antique Buffet Server with Mirror.
Buffets like this were mass produced factory items during the turn of the 19th century. The carving was all done by machine. A lot of them were made by factories centered in Grand Rapids Michigan. Look for the maker's mark.
Antique Buffet Server with Mirror generally sell anywhere from $700 to $1,700.00 these days.
For example ANTIQUE BUFFET Hand Carved Lion & Sun is on sale for $685 www.ebay.com/
The price of Antique Victorian Oak Serpentine High Back Sideboard Buffet is $1,099 www.ebay.com/
Antique Victorian Golden Quartered Oak Carved Mirror Sideboard Server Buffet was sold for $1,700 www.1stdibs.com/
I am looking to get an estimated value for this Hoosier. I am not sure of the manufacturer. It is probably from some time in the 1920s - 1930s. It is in excellent condition and has its original hardware, casters, shelves, and tin drawer.
It does not have the flour bin. All doors, drawers, and slide outs work properly. There is only 1 flaw on front edge of counter top.
What a fun piece!! Is it marked Hoosier? There were many companies that made these. Not all were marked so you do have to be careful when listing if it is unmarked to either say Hoosier STYLE or Farmhouse Cabinet.
Here is a great article on these pieces:
www.hunker.com/
Depending on where you are located and the condition (which the pictures may be deceiving but the wood on the top looks different than the wood on the bottom--if that is the case, that could decrease value--could just be the lighting).
Anyhow, depending on where you are located and the supply and demand, you could start as high as $2500 and take (or negotiate with is a better way to say it) the best offer which could be as low as several hundred dollars.
I would call out the black etched glass--which appears to be an art deco style--hard to confirm that because it pixilates a little on my machine--but it appears to be a deco design, which could add to the value.
Post back how your sale goes!! Thanks for sharing!!
How do I set a fair sale price for this set? The table has the extra leaf on top. There are six regular chairs and two with arms. The china cabinet is actually two pieces. The buffet is pictured separately. It is in really great shape.
Editor's Note: The member as contacted us with an additional question. They would like to know where to find more detail like this. The furniture is from their great uncle's home and they have no idea about manufacturer, age, etc.
It will probably be difficult to sell a full dinning room set as this is just not something very many people are looking to buy.
It may be a good idea to try and sell it locally as I do not believe anyone will be willing to pay for shipping pieces like this.
It is almost impossible to do research on a 'no brand name' set like this as almost all you have to research is 'wood dining room set'.
The buffet and chair upholstery looks to have some issues and what you see as 'great shape' may not mean the same thing to other people.
I would suggest you do some research in your own area to see what other people are selling similar sets for.
Check out Craigslist, USA4Sale, Facebook Marketplace, letgo, offerup as these are the kind of places you will probably want to list your items. Offer as pick up only.
If you do not find anything to compare then you may just have to set a price that you think is suitable and see if anyone is interested and if not, you can lower the price after several weeks.
I think you may have to break up the set and sell as individual pieces - buffet - china cabinet - table and chairs.
If you can find any markings inside the drawers or the back then add this information and we'll try again. Also, if you have information on the provenance of this set, that would also help.
There is another member that has extensive furniture knowledge so hopefully she will post with better information.
