How much are old Windsor chairs worth?
Prices for period Windsor chairs now range from about $1,000 to $200,000, with rumors of private sales of over $500,000. “Windsor chairs are very hot right now,” says Charles Santore, author of The Windsor Style in America.
How do I know if my antique Windsor chair is real?
Spot a Fake Antique Windsor
They may appear too light, or they can look too dark because a dark stain has been applied. They can look too perfect. With a genuine antique chair, you expect to see some natural variation and unevenness in color. Real antique chairs have patina, or wear from use.
What are Windsor back chairs?
The Windsor chair is, in theory, quite simple. The seat is made from a single piece of wood that is shaped to cradle the sitter gently. The spindles are carved, later turned, and run through the seat and into the crest rail or bow. The legs splay outward and run into the seat, but do not become part of the seat’s back.
What era are Windsor chairs from?
The main period of Windsor chair production was the 19th century. However the design originated in the early 18th century when it is thought that Windsors were often made in small workshops. The earliest known date relating to the supply of Forest chairs is currently 1720.
Are Windsor chairs Classic?
The Windsor chair is a classic beauty and worthy of a seat at any dining table. This style of chair originated in England during the 18th century and was widely popular during the revolutionary period of America. Windsor chairs were first used in gardens and were typically painted green and left to weather outside.
Are Windsor chairs popular?
Those spindles extending downward form the legs and those extending upward form the back and arm rests. The Windsor chair has been produced in numerous local variations and is extremely popular in both Great Britain and the United States.
How can you tell how old a chair is?
One of the greatest telltale signs of a chair’s age include the markings or tags left by the manufacturer. Modern upholstered chairs may feature a tag listing both manufacturer and serial number or design name, which can be looked up on the manufacturer’s website or on collector websites.
Why is a Windsor chair called a Windsor chair?
The Windsor Chair takes its name from the English town of Windsor, where it originated around 1710. This type of chair is a form of wooden seating in which the back and sides consist of multiple thin, turned spindles that are attached to a solid, sculpted seat.
What makes a Windsor chair unique?
The Characteristics
Their legs, which typically splay outwards, are often reinforced by h-stretchers and their backs slightly recline. Known for their durability, grace and sense of lightness, both the vintage Windsor chair and modern Windsor chair offer charm and quaintness that make them infinitely desirable.
What makes a chair a Windsor chair?
Windsor chair, popular type of wooden chair constructed of turned (shaped on a lathe), slender spindles that are socketed into a solid, saddle-shaped wooden seat. Those spindles extending downward form the legs and those extending upward form the back and arm rests.
Why is it called a Windsor chair?
Are Windsor chairs comfortable?
Handmade Windsor chairs are among the most comfortable wooden chairs there are. This is because the seat is deeply sculpted and sloped backwards and the angle of the back can be adjusted to fit the individual.
How do I know if my chair is valuable?
Basically, look for irregular shaped joints. If the joints are perfect, then the piece is not truly old. If they are irregular, there is a greater chance that the furniture is old and potentially valuable.
What do the numbers stamped on the back of furniture mean?
Serial numbers will often reveal the manufacturer, model number, or date that the furniture was made. Finding the serial number might require some hunting.
How do I find out how much my furniture is worth?
To price used furniture, multiply the original price by 0.7-0.8, which means you’d be selling it for 70-80 percent of the original price. If the furniture isn’t in the best condition because it’s worn, faded, or banged up, you’ll probably need to sell it for less than that.
How do I find out what year my furniture was made?
Make sure to search for labels, stamps, or manufacturing tags that can tell when and where a piece was made. Furniture companies and makers often listed their names, locations, and year of production This information can be found on the inside of drawers, the backs of bureaus, and on the lower edges of pieces.
How do I know how much my furniture is worth?
Contact a major auction house, such as Sotheby’s or Christie’s, for value lookups on extremely rare or valuable antique furniture. Check websites such as Antique Trader where information of events offering free antique appraisal information is posted.