I am looking for advice on an antique or vintage dining set. I have been trying to research and study up on this dining room set for almost a year. I am wondering the value. I also don't have a problem with a dealer taking a percentage of the sale. Who or where is the best place to go?
There are a few things you should consider before calling an appraiser or even an antique dealer.
1.) what is their specialty? If they are not familiar with vintage/antique furniture they probably cannot really help you. Not that they will tell you right off what they work with but maybe you can ask a few questions and find out a little. Can they tell you the value on the spot or will they have to do research? Most should tell you a 'somewhat' figure but current value should require a little research.
I always suggest asking for a free appraisal online before going to a 'hands on' appraisal as many times you can gain valuable information for free.
Many of the free appraisal sites will not provide an appraisal for free if the item is valued at less than $500. This is because they all represent auction houses and may wish to see your item.
If you wish to try one of these sites you will need more pictures and a very good description (your best) as well as measurements. State any damage you see.
They will also wish to know where you are located and any information (provenance) you have on this set.
I believe your set will go over the $500 mark so that should not be a problem.
Your pictures are good but you need several full length pictures (standing away from the table) without chairs. Also full length pictures of one chair - front, side and back.
Here is a link but you should post your question to several sites.
www.whatsellsbest.com/
If you wish to have an excellent appraisal you should use this link and pay the $20 fee, which - most likely - you will never regret paying.
This site is a part of Barnaby's auction house.
www.valuemystuff.com/
This is a really interesting grouping. It is not clear from the photos, because there is so much that needs studied (truthfully best in person--so I am only going by what I can see in a zoom on the photos), but at first blush it appears that chairs may not be original to the table.
The wood seems a different color and the shape of the turns are different.This may be why you are having trouble finding comparable items.
The table looks to be an Italian Renaissance Revival (1890 to 1930). The chairs are much less ornate and may be from the 1940s-1950s.
My suggestions go along with the suggestions of cybergrannie.
Although before I would pay any money for an appraisal, I would love to hear a discussion on the items from the Facebook group called Antique & Vintage Furniture Identification and Estimated Values. You will have to ask to join and answer some questions. Once you are approved, you can upload your photos and ask for guidance there. People can sell from that site so keep that in your back pocket.
Please know that generally, values are a totally different animal as they are regional. In NC, one of the furniture hubs of the country, you may well fetch much more for these pieces (together or separately) than I would in Pittsburgh or another person in Texas, but a buyer in California may pay twice what one would in NC. Furniture is very supply and demand driven and low supply and high demand can give you totally different audiences and selling prices.
I think the table at least, my jury is still out on the chairs, but I feel the table may have a significant value to it, and if it does, it would be best sold in an auction format (not eBay) but a real, antique and collectible auction where their book is shared nationally and maybe even internationally and they take care of the freight shipping.
Please post back what you learn. Thanks for sharing these neat items!
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