I would like to know what this piece is, and any sort of history, if possible.
It was damaged in transit so I doubt it has much value. However, now I feel free to paint it.
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So normally I tell people if you want to paint a piece of furniture, paint it, but this is quite unusual and I think before you do anything you need to take it to a reputable antique dealer to see if it is a true antique etagere or a reproduction piece. Many antique versions of this piece can sell between 8,0000 and 20,000 if pristine and even with damage can fetch decent amounts.
It is critical to have it looked at by a true and reputable expert. I say this because when I first started with my love of antique furniture I purchased a very small etargere and was told by the (now I know very disreputable) dealer that it was very old and very valuable and I was cheated as it turned out the "antique" was from about 10 years before and was a reproduction of a valuable piece.
I was very young and it was a hard lesson to learn.
It appears to be Victorian, maybe French or other European origins and possibly from the 1800s. Unless it is a much newer repro piece which still would have value in the hundreds, vs. the tens of thousands.
Post back what you learn! This is a lovely piece and I hope you have a real piece and one with value!
It sounds like you may have inherited this and felt guilty to even think about painting it before it was damaged!
You may not particularly like it but it looks like a marvelous piece of history to me so please find out more about it before making any changes.
As to damage, according to what you find is the true value then having it professionally repaired may be an option.
I hope you have someone in your area that will help you with the identity and value of your antique etagere (I hope it is real and not a reproduction.
My son is always acquiring vintage and antique furniture and we always go to the free online appraisers before we pay out the big bucks for an onsite appraisal. These are big name auction houses and if they like your piece they will not only give you a lot of information but will also tell you where the best auction house is located (for this type of furniture). Usually that is where the most money is made with pieces like this.
They do require a lot of pictures - from all angles - especially any damaged areas. Front - several in stages - from bottom to top (maybe 3 up close pictures for detail. Back probably 2 pictures as well as sides and legs. Inside of any door and they will want as much history as you can give them and also your location. This sounds like a lot but this may be worth a lot of money and they will not put their name on it without being sure.
Take a look as some of these pictures and you will see some similar to yours.
www.google.com/
Here are links to online appraisers. You can submit information to more than one site.
www.whatsellsbest.com/
Please let us know what you find out about this unusual etagere.
This looks like an incredibly ornate and rare antique piece. Even if it was damaged, it is probably rare enough that it is worth preserving.
It looks like it could either be a Chippendale or Hepplewhite era (or at least style) but here's a list of different Victorian furniture styles.
You have to find as much identification you can to place this piece and period. If you can not locate (back, underneath, serial numbers). You could take more pictures and show to a antiques dealer/appraiser, they have the answer to this lovely piece!
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