A little research can reveal the history of old dining room chairs like these.
Furniture companies have been in production since colonial times. Distinct materials were used that made a furniture company stand out above the rest. One such company was Chippendale. It designed ornately scrolled legs from walnut wood. It is easy to find out information about famous furniture companies. Some furniture companies are not well-known. Extra research may be required to learn about the company and the furniture manufactured. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Examine your own furniture for maker's marks with a magnifying glass. Look for a company name or serial numbers. Companies from the 19th century used patent numbers. Lists of furniture companies are grouped by patent numbers, with the date that the piece of furniture was manufactured. Learn about old furniture companies in picture guidebooks. Go to the library reference section, and look through various guidebooks on old furniture. Look in antique furniture guidebooks and price guides as well.
2. Use the web to research well-known furniture companies, such as Heywood Wakefield. Go to the company's website. Find out what companies made distinct types of furniture, such as Victorian or Adirondack furniture. Research the furniture online. For example, type into search engines "Adirondack furniture manufacturers." Do this for other types of furniture, to narrow down various notable companies. Use dates to help narrow your search. For instance, type in "manufacturers of Adirondack furniture in 1910." Use keywords such as "fine furniture," "antique" or "vintage furniture" made in America and Europe.
3. See if the website for a distinct furniture designer lists which furniture companies the designer did business with. Go to museum websites that feature old furniture. These websites have exact histories and dates of furniture production.
4. Read old craftsman, furniture and company catalogs, such as "The Craftsman Magazine." Often in the old magazines, advertisements were placed by furniture companies. Old product catalog guides from furniture manufacturers are a good way to find out about the furniture sold and the company. Check to see if your local antique shop or mall has dealers selling these types of catalogs and magazines.
5. Look at online auction houses that specialize in selling old furniture. They often have the old company history and an actual list of old furniture manufacturers right on the website. Take pictures of your own furniture to bring to an auction house. Ask for help identifying the furniture company. Go to an auction house that gives free appraisals of old furniture. Schedule an appointment if necessary.
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