Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I recently inherited this chair andwWould like to know more about the history/ manufacturer since the sticker is halfway removed. Also, I would like to know what it's worth. Thanks! (:
The maker is most likely Hartwig & Kemper. Here is a PDF with some examples of chairs--for some reason, I had trouble scrolling through it, so hopefully you won't www.google.com/
Here is some info about the company: antiquesqa.blogspot.com/
If so, most chairs from this brand as a group would sell for more than a single chair.
Where I am, they sell at about $10-$20 each; however, if you found a person who was trying to replace a broken chair from their set, they may pay much more.
I always start selling prices high and take best offer--so start at $250 and see if there is interest and drop the price if asked or daily until it sells, knowing you may fetch as little as $10.
Post back how your sale goes!
Looks like PGHgirl has the right brand name - Hartwig & Kemper - and they made chairs in the early 1900's.
I could not find a chair like yours but I was able to download the link that PGHgirl posted (you have to have Chrome) and the PDF has a Hartwig & Kemper catalog from 1904-1905 featuring their chairs and other items.
You can try to download the link here:
This is a 'copy and paste link:
file:///C:/Users/CHRIST~1/AppData/Local/Temp/HartwigandKemperChairsTablesSettees_10506675.pdf
or here:
www.google.com/
Your chair originally had a cane bottom but apparently was broken and has been replaced with a fabric cover. This may lower the value.
Single straight/dining chairs of almost any brand are usually difficult to sell and generally lower value.
Chairs are difficult to ship so usually these are advertised as 'local pick up only' which means the area you live in will be the biggest determining factor as to the value of your chair.
I would say the value (in my area) would be around $15-$20 but your area could be better or even lower.
You can always list it on a local site like Craigslist, USA4Sale, Facebook Marketplace with a higher price and see if you have any offers. No offers? lower the price.
I bought this chair at an auction about 10 years ago because I liked it. However, I have no idea how old it might be or even what style it is.
I would appreciate any help with those questions. Thank you.
I believe this is a Victorian era "gothic" Jacobean-style armchair, which could be worth $500 or more. (The newer upholstery fabric is in stark contrast to the style. Originally this would have been solid, in perhaps a jewel-tone.) I love the puppies on the armrests!
I don't think the carvings are lions. They look like King Cavalier Spaniels (dogs). Does the upholstery come off? It looks like a very modern addition.
I would like to see the bones of the chair to figure out if it is an Edwardian era (19011910) chair or a modern reproduction.
What kind of springs does it have? How is it stuffed? Can you tell if it is joined by screws or dowels and if screws can you share a photo of the heads?
It is unusual as most dogs on chairs are hounds. I would love to learn more and maybe offer more assistance.
Post back with more photos if you can!
Thanks!
The bones of this chair are very cool. It looks like dowel construction so that may place it as a 19th century piece. The more I look at it, I am wondering if it is not a Foo Dog throne style chair that has had a total make over--may have originally had an ornate carved wooden back. If this is the case, if there are not the original bones, it may have lost its value vs. if it was a totally original piece. Don't panic--even totally original Foo Dog chairs don't always have high values--the one below sold for $150. Values are regional and vary with so many factors that you could see ranges from $10 to $1000 and all would be appropriate depending on exactly what you had and where you were located.
Here is the sample chair that sold (don't see year) for $150 aarauctions.com/
You don't mention where you are located. Do you have a quality auction house in your town?
When I come across pieces in my travels that are like this and I am just not sure because they have been redone, it is helpful to go to a place where they can see the chair, hear the chair, feel it and smell it (things like rough wood, creaking when you sit on it and bad smells like cigarette or mildew can instantly devalue an otherwise valuable piece).
They can help you get the big picture what we really can't see from photos (and these are GREAT photos by the way!! Very helpful and allowed me to think better on what I was seeing).
The other reason I suggested taking it to a place like this is they can help you value it for your town. Even if it is not a totally original piece, it is still going to have some value just because it is cool and different. They can help you figure that out for value for where you are located.
All furniture sales are regional so it may fetch a tidy sum in a big city where there are eclectic buyers, and nothing in college town where if it is not Ikea they don't want it.
Post back what you learn!! It is a very cool piece! I can see why you fell in love it it! Thanks for sharing and all the additional photos!
Hi, I have this beautiful corner chair that I purchased awhile ago but I am having a hard time trying to find any information on it. I would love to be able to have some history, information and value of this piece. I think it might have been a commode chair. I keep searching the internet for something similar but can't find anything. 
We would love to pass this down to one of our children and give them the information. If anyone can help with any information I would greatly appreciate it. I'm pretty sure this piece is from either NY or Boston area. Thank you so much.
I received 4 chairs and one table I would like to know more about the history/age and manufacturer. Also, I would like to know how much these pieces worth. Many thanks!
Does anyone know anything about these chairs? Any information is much appreciated! My dad has owned them for a long time and now has to decide what to do with them. I wish I knew their story.
Ive researched as far as I can get and all I found is that they are probably wainscot style. Thanks!
These have a 1950s Spanish revival style vibe to them, but sadly I have very little knowledge about in the genre as you don't see many like them in the Pittsburgh reselling world that I live in. I know they can be very valuable if that is indeed what you have, so I do encourage you to find someone where you are and take a chair and have them give it a look see.
I really don't see anything that leads me to believe they are Wainscot style...so I am curious as to what you saw. Wainstcot style (to me) is usually bulky, solid back (not leather), much more ornate carving--the backs and seats, and they often have a severe (to me) shape to them. Don't look like a chair I could relax in.
Your chairs have a bit of whimsy in them with the decorative heel rest and elegant yet simple carving, but again, Wainscot style is not something we see a lot of in my resale world--so I could be totally off.
Post back what you learn!! Thanks for sharing!
We have 6 of these chairs and would like to identify style and approximate age. There are no markings on any of them.
Almost definitely mass produced (manufactured) chairs. I see these all the time and most of the time they are in repurposed furniture posts. Here are two examples--and both look almost identical to yours:
sharonswannabecottage.blogspot.com/
smashingrubbish.blogspot.com/
My best guess is they are early 1900s (or reproductions of that style)--maybe as old as the 1930s. I would need to see the construction--are they nailed, screwed, dowels, etc.
I see them called school house chairs, lathe back chairs, and restaurant/diner style chairs.
This one looks in pretty nice shape. I can't tell the wood--maybe tiger eye oak? Someone will need to see them in person to tell the wood--sometimes if they have staining (either wood stains like in the finish or stains or grain from age it is hard to tell what the wood is from a photo).
You may never be able to know the maker and selling them will be getting the right words into the ad and the right location to sell them to the right person--which is most likely going to be an in person venue--either flea market if you are adventurous or a resale/antique shop where someone can see, feel, touch and smell them.
Furniture values are very regional and supply and demand based.
Do you have open antique dealers that can help you price them for your town and your market? In some places these are a dime a dozen (which is where I see them turned into plant holders quite often--and flipped for good money too--so if you are artsy this may be an option for you) and in other places they are sought after by people trying to finish a period style room or even be used as props for a play or movie.
Selling chairs is always a challenge because there are so many factors. They have to be able to hold a person (we weigh more than our ancestors and old chairs were not designed to hold our new normal in weights), they have to not wobble, have no smells, be in good condition, fit the table at the right height, and more.
Hopefully you and find a good reseller to help you sell them for your market. Thanks for sharing!!
I'm not sure anyone can truly state the age without having a lot of knowledge in this field and seeing the chairs in person, but age for items like this is usually determined by past provenance so what do you know about the history of your chairs?
You could try posting your chairs on this site and see if anyone can help you.
In the past when 'shopping' I have seen similar chairs and most of the time people just refer to them as 'old' chairs as I'm sure there were thousands (maybe millions?) made during the period 1900-1940's but seem to have lost their value over time as the style just doesn't seem to work with most home decor in today's world.
Yard sale and flea market prices have always been $10 or less per chair ($40-$50 for 6) and some people will be buying to repurpose as not too many are into this 'color' for their homes.
I do occasionally see a repurposed single chair listed for sale on eBay or Etsy (probably on other sites also) but have not noticed any sold prices so no account of value there either.
Repurposed one or two chairs may sell but only if they are liked in your area as chairs can be very expensive to ship (freight usually).
Most of the time I see this style (and open spindle back models) called cafe or ice cream parlor chairs. Repurposed chairs may be called dining or side chairs and may be featured with a small table.
There are modern versions of this style that may be made of metals/wrought iron and sold as patio furniture.
If you're thinking about selling your chairs, you may have good luck with posting them for sale on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, letgo, offerup, etc and list them as pickup only.
You could list them in groups of two but state that six are available. Starting price is up to you, maybe high $50-60 for 2 and see how it goes.
Age or brand may not matter as most are listed as vintage or mid-century.
Unless of course, you find that your chairs are 'special' and therefore more valuable.
Unsure if this is an original or reproduction. It is very beautiful wood. Any ideas or information?
Time period, country of production, etc. Thank you!
Is this chair an antique? I have no info about it and theres nothing stamped on it.
I have 2 of these chairs. Who is the maker and what is their time frame?
Great piece! I can see why it is a challenge to ID it!! It is an neat mix of mission and craftsman with a slight Victorian flare to it! Are you in the UK? It has an European look to it.
My guess (and this is just from photos which is always a challenge because you can't see, touch, feel the piece), but from pictures it appears to be a 1920s-40s piece.
If you have two, they may be master seats from a dining set, although the arms are a little thick for that...so they could also have been banker/library/lawyer chairs.
Since this pieces may have some value to them, I suggest having a good and reputable vintage/antique dealer look them over and tell you what you have.
If you are asking to sell, they can help with values for where you are located!!
Please post back with what you learn!
I have two chairs and a loveseat that my parents had before I was born. I'm trying to downgrade and having to sell a lot of big items but no clue of their worth.
If you are trying to downgrade and sell off some of this furniture I would like to suggest that you speak to an antique furniture dealer in your area. They know the prices in your area and it is best to sell this locally and not try and list it online. In each area, the prices vary so much. In one stay a person may only pay $50 for such a chair wherein another state they can pay up to $200 for the same chair. It would be so hard to give you a good price to sell these because I am not sure where you live and the exact market in your area. The people who understand this are the people who are in the business of selling off antique furniture. You can speak to them and as for their advice. I would not tell them that you are trying to sell this. I would go in and try to find out how much it is worth and tell them it is for insurance purposes. Once you find this out then you can use your local area Craigslist or even Facebook Marketplace to place the ads for selling this. Make sure you list pick up only and do not try and ship this off.
While I agree that selling locally is probably your best way to go, I believe you need to know more about your pieces before you commit them to someone on consignment or even sell to a local shop.
Usually if you ask for information on value for insurance purposes you will be charged a fee as they will have to give it to you in writing (for insurance company records).
I'm not familiar with this type of furniture so I can only suggest you show your pictures on some of the sites and most likely you will find out what information you need to put a value on these pieces.
Your pictures are good but you should provide all of the past history that is available such as where your parents lived when this was purchased (also where you live). Also show condition of pieces and state if upholstery is original.
Please post your information on several sites so you will receive assorted information.
You will have to join some sites to be able to post.
Reddit is an excellent site but can be confusing. Join and if you have problems just contact the administrator and they will help you.
This site has several appraisers listed but I have used many and with this type of furniture, I believe you will have several answers within a few days.
They may suggest you take your furniture to a larger auction site if you want to get top dollar.
www.whatsellsbest.com/
The table beside the chair is what fascinates me!!
This chair has been in my family for generations. Very sturdy and strong. Needs touch ups, but very comfortable.
Was just wondering how much it's worth? If anyone has an idea, just drop me a message. Thanks!
How many generations?
This style was very popular in the 1960s--canopy style tufted chair. They were reproductions of old French chairs.
I see them advertised frequently as French Country Louis XV Style.
Your chair looks to be of that age--or perhaps it was just redone in that era with the ubiquitous yellow velvet.
Someone will need to look at it in person to determine if it is a true antique which could have value or if it is a repro--unless you know the exact age and how long it was in the family.
As to value--that will depend on what you have.
A 60s piece--I see them sitting unsold in the $500-$1000 range and have not seen one sell in a long time--so perhaps the asking prices are too high.
If it is an true antique (100 years or older) it may have more value.
The thing to remember is either way, furniture resale is highly regional and subjective so something where I am may get $100 and where you are if it is a high demand, low supply item, may get $1000.
Once you figure out the age, I can better help you with the value if I know where you are located!
Looking to hear more info! Thanks for sharing this neat piece!
