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Finding Quality Reproduction Furniture

Posted by Chris under Furniture Commentary on October 09, 2009.

Walnut serpentine chest of drawers
This is a prime example of a quality reproduction.
A host of fears and misconceptions haunt the idea of reproduction furniture—and in some cases, with good reason. Chinese junk, for instance, has long inundated the U.S. market, and some dealers aren't as honest as English Classics about where their items come from (and of course not all dealers get their stuff from England). But if you know what to look for in a good reproduction, then you don't need to worry too much about where it comes from because, I imagine, quality can come from the most surprising places. (In fact, I predict that as Chinese incomes rise, the burgeoning upper-class will want the same level of quality that wealthy Westerners have come to expect, and there will be a demand for quality right in their own backyards. This will make cheap, quality Chinese furniture a reality.)

For starters, the best way to find out about a piece is to simply ask the dealer. Ask where and when it is made, what it is made of (veneers, underlying materials, hardware metal). If it is finished, ask what kind of finish it is, and how to clean it. Ask what style it is in, whether it is handmade, and where and how the dealer acquired the piece. The answers to these questions will usually serve as good indicators of quality, and they might even get the dealer to lower the asking price.

As an example of a good, quality reproduction, take the above walnut serpentine chest. Many of our customers mistake it for an antique because of its rich wax finish, shading and distressing, and genuine style. Indeed, it was handmade with an elaborate finish just like they used to do in the old days, and this is one of the most obvious markers of quality. Still, it is also a subtle marker, so if you can't tell the difference between wax and lacquer, there are more things to look for.

For one, if the piece you are looking at has drawers, open them and look for dovetails:



The picture on the left is from a new reproduction desk with hand-cut dovetails; notice how thin they are. The one on the right is from a recently restored c1970 chest with machine-cut dovetails; they are wider and more regular than the hand-cut variety. You might also check the back of the drawers—whether on an antique or a reproduction, this is usually a sign of great quality.


A&E Squire drawer lock

Check for labels.
You can also have a look at the hardware. Labeling conventions vary according to age, location, the individual maker, or even the client for whom the piece is made. This particular label shows that the lock was made in England by A & E Squire, which supplies locks to various cabinetmakers in England.

Push the piece a little to see how sturdy it is. Take a drawer out (if it has any) to check what the inside of the piece looks like. Look at the back: solid wood paneling usually indicates fine quality, and the quality of reproduction furniture usually corresponds directly to the attention paid to the back. And that about covers it; everything else is common sense. For more tips on shopping for furniture, see our post on tips for buying antiques. Good luck and happy shopping!

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