Antiqued antiques
Jeff Suggs
They are: Cavalier Cedar Chest, a curved glass secretary and a large curved
top chest. Am I better off leaving them alone or stripping them back and
refinishing them?
Also, (I'm new at this) I'm trying to get a start at dating and identifying
the curved glass secretary. I know I've see something about the curved
glass before, but I've forgotten. Description: bookshelf on left with door
with glass that bows out, fold down desk with scrollwork on lid, three
drawers below desk, the top one has a curved front, small ledge above desk.
Also has printed label on back that has:
Cabinet work by:
Filled by:
Sandpapered by:
Rubbed by:
Polished by:
Trimmed by:
Packed by:
I can't make out the names because the label has been stained over.
T-13
>I've inherited some antiques that unfortunately (IMO) my mother "antiqued".
>They are: Cavalier Cedar Chest, a curved glass secretary and a large curved
>top chest. Am I better off leaving them alone or stripping them back and
>refinishing them?
Depends on what "antiqued" means. In the middle to late
1960's antiquing old furniture was a little fad. Lots
of decent old furniture got a coat of green goo.
If they were done over in that green stuff you are in trouble.
Somehow it went WAY down deep in the wood.
I've seen lots of furniture sanded and refinished that still shows a bit of the
green. Who knows though, that was a while back. Maybe someone has
figured out how to handle this problem.
Hmmmm.... it seems to me that there were other colors used at that time -
a sort of brownish yellow. Can't really recall.
T.
Kris Baker
"Jeff Suggs" <chem...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:yFasb.9143$P%1.82...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com...
> I've inherited some antiques that unfortunately (IMO) my mother
"antiqued".
> They are: Cavalier Cedar Chest, a curved glass secretary and a large
curved
> top chest. Am I better off leaving them alone or stripping them back and
> refinishing them?
By "antiqued", do you mean the colorful steaky finishes
that were put on poor, innocent furniture in the 1960s?
I'd say you have nothing to lose, and everything to gain,
by stripping these.....although they'll never regain their
original finish/look.
My parents did a lot of this (sigh), but only to furniture
that already had a bad finish or was obviously worthless
(to them).
> Also, (I'm new at this) I'm trying to get a start at dating and
identifying
> the curved glass secretary. I know I've see something about the curved
> glass before, but I've forgotten. Description: bookshelf on left with
door
> with glass that bows out, fold down desk with scrollwork on lid, three
> drawers below desk, the top one has a curved front, small ledge above
desk.
>
> Also has printed label on back that has:
> Cabinet work by:
> Filled by:
> Sandpapered by:
> Rubbed by:
> Polished by:
> Trimmed by:
> Packed by:
> I can't make out the names because the label has been stained over.
Like this?
http://www.rubylane.com/shops/souhantq/item/81078
Side-by-side secretary.
Unfortunately, you'll never decipher the maker without some
work on that label. Maybe this is a case for that PBS
show "History Detectives". Think of a reason why they
need to investigate it ;)
Kris
Kris Baker
"T-13" <as...@asdf.com> wrote in message
news:b6m2rv8ag423mmrnv...@4ax.com...
>
>
> If they were done over in that green stuff you are in trouble.
> Somehow it went WAY down deep in the wood.
> I've seen lots of furniture sanded and refinished that still shows a bit
of the
> green. Who knows though, that was a while back. Maybe someone has
> figured out how to handle this problem.
>
> Hmmmm.... it seems to me that there were other colors used at that time -
> a sort of brownish yellow. Can't really recall.
>
> T.
Red. You forgot RED. My mother "did" several pieces
in green, then decided that a peppy RED would be nice
on the coffee table.
Kris
Jessica Vincent
"Jeff Suggs" <chem...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:yFasb.9143$P%1.82...@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com...
bed....an oak smoking stand from the teens and a oak dresser come to mind.
Two tone brown and black and white...how lovely......I've had decent luck
stripping the things as long as they weren't stripped prior to "antiqueing"
Jessica
>
T-13
>Red. You forgot RED. My mother "did" several pieces
>in green, then decided that a peppy RED would be nice
>on the coffee table.
>
>Kris
That's right. It was red. Thanks. Couldn't remember.
T.
Kris Baker
Blue! There was blue, too. NEVER discount the
damage a "crafty" woman can do to interior decor.
Kris
Having torturous flashblacks
DBallas464
> Unfortunately, you'll never decipher the maker without some
> work on that label. Maybe this is a case for that PBS
> show "History Detectives". Think of a reason why they
> need to investigate it ;)
>
Is that still on? They ran it over the summer but I have not seen or heard
anything about it since then on my local PBS station. I loved that show!
As for the "antiqued finish" question, I have a 1940's vanity I rescued from
the curb. I plan to refinish it for a teenaged friend of the family. I
noticed that it started out with a nice veneer, was painted that "lovely"
streaky olive green, then painted over much later with a pastel purple (what
were they smoking that day in the paint store!), and finally in an act of
complete desperation coated it in flat white latex paint.
I love a challenge!
Lauren
T-13
>As for the "antiqued finish" question, I have a 1940's vanity I rescued from
>the curb. I plan to refinish it for a teenaged friend of the family. I
>noticed that it started out with a nice veneer, was painted that "lovely"
>streaky olive green, then painted over much later with a pastel purple (what
>were they smoking that day in the paint store!), and finally in an act of
>complete desperation coated it in flat white latex paint.
>
>I love a challenge!
>
>Lauren
Sometimes,though, you happen across a much painted piece of furniture
that's kind of cool. You know, like, the top coat is kind of worn away
showing the colors underneath. Ah, anyway, it's just something I find
appealing. You don't see it much but it's nice when it's worn in just
the right way.
Thanks for the gold lettering photos too, L.
T.
mk...@sc.tds.net
>"antiqued".
My Father "antiqued" a beautiful old rocker that had belonged to my
great-grandmother. That horrible green with gold highlights! I love
the chair and just think of it as an old lady with way too much makeup
on her face.
Maryann
"Anything can be anywhere!"
Nancy Dooley
> Somehow it went WAY down deep in the wood.
Only if the furniture was stripped before the antiquing, no?
True to the 60s, I antiqued my great-aunt's 1940s walnut-veneer
secretary in that olive green color - even the cubbyholes inside ;-)
It came off with no problem at all - no damage to the veneer - I liked
the walnut stain that it was originally, so when I'd stripped it to
that color, I just matte-varnished it. It's beautiful....and the
current finish is almost an antique - again!
N.
T-13
---
Seems to me that very few people would have stripped their
furniture before they put this stuff on. That was the
"beauty" of antiquing, wasn't it? - that you could just
paint that goop on; that it was quick and easy.
I dunno. I will sure take your word for it that it was
easy to take off and that it did not mar the original finish
but that's the first time I have ever heard that.
Heck, I can be wrong. ;)
I wonder if there are not some variables that we have not
considered?
T.
Marybel
My friend and I had gone to my favourite antique haunt, which I avoid as
often as possible. Very* cool, however this particular piece had the
most horrid top final, gaudy gaudy gaudy.
However the old question of Stripping & Tune-Up came up while we were
there, this time with respect to very old wooden Medicine Cabinets. Darn
I love those things, and they had quite a few in. Friend was looking for
a display for figurines and wanted something antique based. Most were in
need of medical care, but these were not inexpensive, they were real
finds and old. One lovely had the obvious natural intent and state of
yellow paint, about 50% flaked off. She: take it down and get close
approximate colour historical paint. Me: strip the heck out of it and
shellac it or something (I prefer just the wood.) Another nice one had a
solid wooden door but wonderful appearance and otherwise perfect for
what she wants. She : no good, she needs a glass door for her display.
Me: get the electric saws and chisels out and cut out the door to insert
a glass. She : ===eeek!!! Well, I mean I wouldn't do that for something
of real value or of historical consideration of course, but these had no
connection to anywhere. Maybe I am thinking short-sighted though?
> "Jeff Suggs" <chem...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>>I've inherited some antiques that unfortunately (IMO) my mother
>>"antiqued".
>>Am I better off leaving them alone or stripping them back and
>>refinishing them?
Kris Baker wrote:
> Like this?
> http://www.rubylane.com/shops/souhantq/item/81078
T-13
wrote:
>In rec.antiques T-13 <as...@asdf.com> wrote:
>
>>I dunno. I will sure take your word for it that it was
>>easy to take off and that it did not mar the original finish
>>but that's the first time I have ever heard that.
>
>
>1940s firewood "antiqued" in the 1960s!! So what feckin' original finish
>would that be!!??!! .... oh I see, back to the _original_ 20 year old
>patination you mean?
----------
;)
How about, "the finish that was there before the green goo
went on," then?
Sometimes older stuff got the treatment too.
My grandmother coated a pretty good pie safe
with the infamous green goo. Looked very much like this
http://www.stevensauction.com/oct26/pages/An%20early%20walnut%20tin%20door%20pie%20safe%20ca%201820.htm
Her's didn't have the fancy tin punching though.
Hmmm... the auctioneer is calling this thing 1820's.
I dunno but I always thought these things came later, like
late 19th.
T.
T-13
>* ironic .... when my *American* spell checker encounters the word
>"patination" it doesn't recognize that word (not in the database) which
>speaks volumes, imo :)
----
Patination? What's that? ;) We ain't got no patination here
in the World's Only Superpower. We got Patton (as played
by George C. Scott, available at the local video rental).
We got pattin', as in, "If you don't stop pattin' my ass,
Betty Lou, I am gonna tell your maw on you."
We got passion,
we got our buddy Putin,
we got patterns of prevarication,
we got media pollution,
we got bombs as big as churches
dropping out of Jesus' ass,
but we ain't got no patination
because we really go no class.
OK there was a tiny bit of good stuff made in the 1940's; e.g.,
http://www.r-one.com/galere/1930s-40s/
T.
Nancy Dooley
> went on," then?
>
> Sometimes older stuff got the treatment too.
> My grandmother coated a pretty good pie safe
> with the infamous green goo. Looked very much like this
> http://www.stevensauction.com/oct26/pages/An%20early%20walnut%20tin%20door%20pie%20safe%20ca%201820.htm
>
> Her's didn't have the fancy tin punching though.
>
>
> Hmmm... the auctioneer is calling this thing 1820's.
> I dunno but I always thought these things came later, like
> late 19th.
Your definition works for me ;-)
I have a pie safe WITH the fancy tin punched panels, but the rest of
it is pretty much a wreck...too many years in barns, tool sheds, my
mom's basement and the like. It was my grandma's - probably dates
from mid- to late 19th century (I think he got it from his mom's
farm).
If I had a clue as to what to do with it, I'd work on it. The inside
of the tin panels and the rest of the inside (shelves) have been
painted (probably in the 50's or so) - and the outsides of the tin
panels are discolored from oxidation and rust (but not flaking). If I
had room in my house, I'd move it inside from the garage, where it now
holds tools & stuff.
N.
T-13
>>
>>OK there was a tiny bit of good stuff made in the 1940's; e.g.,
>>http://www.r-one.com/galere/1930s-40s/
>
>Yea? that's why that page lists ....
>
> ** 1930s - 1940s **
>
>.... and specifically does NOT list the 1940's decade on its own. Then jumps
>to the 1950s, 1960s, etc., ..... you make a strawman point.
>
>
>A few things were churned out by the Euro designers and artists. That is,
>those who were lucky enough to make it to the USA before the Hun over ran
>the place. However, Europe and most elsewhere (excluding the USA of course)
>was a bomb site, and the lands raped and pillaged. Work for the Nazi
>propaganda machine or quietly go into exile, that was the choice. Recovery
>didn't take place to late in the decade and not really before the early 50s.
>NO unified movement, style, or design period existed during the 40s. Unless
>you are heavily into utilitarianism and love that utility look. Or as it
>would appear in the case of the USA - that 'antiqued up' utility look.
>
>Anyways, we were not discussing modernism or the modern movement, seems to
>me the discussion was based upon the (not very old) furniture of the
>nondescript which was being "antiqued" up during the 1960s. Totally nothing
>to do with modernism or the modern movement, in fact, quiet the opposite.
------------
True enough, modernism has nothing to do with the subject at hand.
Oh well...
;)
T.