ANTIQUE MAG. - 20 October 2002

Woodwork at school, the only subject I was interested in, the natural impetus that catapulted me towards restoring antique furniture. I learned my craft and trade skills with various professionals in my travels through Europe and elsewhere, before returning to Scotland and starting my own business.

At a dinner party many years later, sitting next to a glamorous girl – a woman with a dilemma – tell me more! Just bought a house in Perthshire. Ten rooms to fill, hence plenty of space for new things (and old).

She had the task of making the house into a home with the support of a very large company cheque book.

Her real problem was the daunting task of visiting antique shops and entering into the world of auction houses, knowing little or nothing of the subject.

I mentioned my furniture restoration and identification course ideals - the seed germinated and have proven extremely rewarding to both client and myself.

Being a restorer with hundreds of furniture items dismantled, made good, reassembled and found good homes. I am still astounded how items constructed conceived and restored hundreds of years ago have survived the passage of time.

Just recently a fantastic longcase clock dated back to about 1670’s came in.  Crossbanded in olive wood with matching oyster veneers, small marquetry panels, showing the extra skill which made it exquisite. The marquetry was well conceived, not too fussy with native woods; some stained as was some bone inlay which gave it that extra bit of class. The case proportions were to die for, precise engineered to fit the movement and the pendulum arc. One can only look on such perfection with wonder, awe and admiration.

We restore many astounding things and I am still overwhelmed by one or two items every year. Of course many have some scars, if they don’t we would wonder what was wrong!

Wood!  What wood is a person’s prize possession made of?  One of the most frequently asked questions. A lightish wood! I suggest pine or satinwood if quality. Neither! An eventual house visit revealed the lightish wood was mahogany! Yes wood is an enormous and fascinating subject. Examination may reveal drawer linings made of an unusual wood, indicating a certain part of the country, or made abroad to a British design.
Provincial cabinetmakers might not have had access to some exotic woods and had to make do with what they had.

Characteristics of wood can date furniture; for example West Indian satinwood arrived in the country before East Indian satinwood and can help determine an 18-century piece.

Styles of furniture can also be hard to understand. An early oak joint stool could be made in the style of the 16-century but made yesterday. Dating furniture like this can be difficult to decide a specific decade without handling both an original and modern piece. Signs of shrinkage, saw marks, pegging, general wear and tear can be seen on a good practical course- I cannot think of any other solution.

Transformed furniture can be misleading, plenty in the market! Victorian tables converted into bedside cabinets, commodes to hide the TV. The list is endless and sometimes not easy to spot the original. The better the transformation the harder to spot especially if old materials have been used. Not fakes but transformations to increase market value, sometimes successfully-sometimes not!

Fakes - a different ball game, items made to deceive.  I have bought some and don’t care, if the craftsmanship is as good as the original when it was made, then the inherent value will appreciate as a long-term investment. To produce modern quality takes patience, skill and knowledge all worth paying the price for, provided you are aware of what you are buying. The labourer is still worthy of his hire- the craftsman of his skill.

Look for signs of identification. Old labels may give details of the maker, retailer, shippers and the place of origin.  They can be found in the most out of the way situations – under drawer bases, backboards, dislodged in the most unlikely places – a well gnawed example formed part of a mouse nest!

Impressed marks on the carcasses can reveal a maker often on the top of a drawer or door. Maker’s stamps on furniture were employed far more on the continent that ever in Britain. I find it quite disappointing seeing fabulous pieces but we have no idea what skilled craftsman made the piece.

While I was training in France I remember getting all the French in the workshop to stop for the British custom of tea at 5pm. It was on one of these occasions we were admiring a very fine Louise XV chair. The proportions were marvellous, beautiful flowing cabriol legs and carved arms, infact none of the wood was straight everything finely shaped. 

As the light fell on the chair someone noticed two very faint letters, this ended up being all that was left of a maker stamp. With a little research we found the probable maker. In most instances the price will be greatly enhanced. Tea breaks can we worthwhile!

Marks can also be found on handles, under brass decoration, particularly locks and clock movements. Behind a clock dial can ever show repairers dates and names, even visits to the pawnshop. Painted clock dials held at various angles to catch the light could reveal the maker’s name if an ultra violet light is not available.

Seek and Ye shall find – you could be quid’s in!

Being a craftsman I appreciate good work. Every year that goes by we are loosing more skills and restorers are now expected to do the work of 18-century workshop artisans, carvers, guilders, cabinetmakers, veneer’s, polishers to name a few.

The antique profession I still find fascinating, whatever our field or interest, we can all continue to learn.

Once speaking to a fine art dealer I asked if he ever bought furniture - no he replied  - I have no idea what I’m buying! Where does that leave the public?

I personally buy a varied amount of things whether it be porcelain for my own house or a painting. Once I remember visiting a fine art sale filling in time, a client of mine was there and she said with paintings one needs to fall in love-it’s simple! I agree too.

With works of art if one feels it is worth the price and one can afford it – buy it!

I have often been into an antique shop or sale and come out with something completely different. I do try and look at everything however unknowledgeable one is, always something to learn! I have made mistakes and will make more, normally if all else fails I end up putting the item back into another sale, hopefully not loosing money.

My glamorous dinner companion did sign up for a three day course deciding wisely as it turned out a little knowledge may be dangerous but better than none at all!

Once it is accepted there is something to learn we can educate our eye to recognize quality and proportions. Now the real detective work starts in a real workshop. Clients can be as diverse as the twenty or so pieces of furniture.

Quote “ I really did not like that bit of furniture when I arrived but now I really appreciate it for what it is.”

What did it cost again?