Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I recently inherited this chair andwWould like to know more about the history/ manufacturer since the sticker is halfway removed. Also, I would like to know what it's worth. Thanks! (:
The maker is most likely Hartwig & Kemper. Here is a PDF with some examples of chairs--for some reason, I had trouble scrolling through it, so hopefully you won't www.google.com/
Here is some info about the company: antiquesqa.blogspot.com/
If so, most chairs from this brand as a group would sell for more than a single chair.
Where I am, they sell at about $10-$20 each; however, if you found a person who was trying to replace a broken chair from their set, they may pay much more.
I always start selling prices high and take best offer--so start at $250 and see if there is interest and drop the price if asked or daily until it sells, knowing you may fetch as little as $10.
Post back how your sale goes!
Looks like PGHgirl has the right brand name - Hartwig & Kemper - and they made chairs in the early 1900's.
I could not find a chair like yours but I was able to download the link that PGHgirl posted (you have to have Chrome) and the PDF has a Hartwig & Kemper catalog from 1904-1905 featuring their chairs and other items.
You can try to download the link here:
This is a 'copy and paste link:
file:///C:/Users/CHRIST~1/AppData/Local/Temp/HartwigandKemperChairsTablesSettees_10506675.pdf
or here:
www.google.com/
Your chair originally had a cane bottom but apparently was broken and has been replaced with a fabric cover. This may lower the value.
Single straight/dining chairs of almost any brand are usually difficult to sell and generally lower value.
Chairs are difficult to ship so usually these are advertised as 'local pick up only' which means the area you live in will be the biggest determining factor as to the value of your chair.
I would say the value (in my area) would be around $15-$20 but your area could be better or even lower.
You can always list it on a local site like Craigslist, USA4Sale, Facebook Marketplace with a higher price and see if you have any offers. No offers? lower the price.
I bought this chair at an auction about 10 years ago because I liked it. However, I have no idea how old it might be or even what style it is.
I would appreciate any help with those questions. Thank you.
I believe this is a Victorian era "gothic" Jacobean-style armchair, which could be worth $500 or more. (The newer upholstery fabric is in stark contrast to the style. Originally this would have been solid, in perhaps a jewel-tone.) I love the puppies on the armrests!
I don't think the carvings are lions. They look like King Cavalier Spaniels (dogs). Does the upholstery come off? It looks like a very modern addition.
I would like to see the bones of the chair to figure out if it is an Edwardian era (19011910) chair or a modern reproduction.
What kind of springs does it have? How is it stuffed? Can you tell if it is joined by screws or dowels and if screws can you share a photo of the heads?
It is unusual as most dogs on chairs are hounds. I would love to learn more and maybe offer more assistance.
Post back with more photos if you can!
Thanks!
The bones of this chair are very cool. It looks like dowel construction so that may place it as a 19th century piece. The more I look at it, I am wondering if it is not a Foo Dog throne style chair that has had a total make over--may have originally had an ornate carved wooden back. If this is the case, if there are not the original bones, it may have lost its value vs. if it was a totally original piece. Don't panic--even totally original Foo Dog chairs don't always have high values--the one below sold for $150. Values are regional and vary with so many factors that you could see ranges from $10 to $1000 and all would be appropriate depending on exactly what you had and where you were located.
Here is the sample chair that sold (don't see year) for $150 aarauctions.com/
You don't mention where you are located. Do you have a quality auction house in your town?
When I come across pieces in my travels that are like this and I am just not sure because they have been redone, it is helpful to go to a place where they can see the chair, hear the chair, feel it and smell it (things like rough wood, creaking when you sit on it and bad smells like cigarette or mildew can instantly devalue an otherwise valuable piece).
They can help you get the big picture what we really can't see from photos (and these are GREAT photos by the way!! Very helpful and allowed me to think better on what I was seeing).
The other reason I suggested taking it to a place like this is they can help you value it for your town. Even if it is not a totally original piece, it is still going to have some value just because it is cool and different. They can help you figure that out for value for where you are located.
All furniture sales are regional so it may fetch a tidy sum in a big city where there are eclectic buyers, and nothing in college town where if it is not Ikea they don't want it.
Post back what you learn!! It is a very cool piece! I can see why you fell in love it it! Thanks for sharing and all the additional photos!
Hi, I have this beautiful corner chair that I purchased awhile ago but I am having a hard time trying to find any information on it. I would love to be able to have some history, information and value of this piece. I think it might have been a commode chair. I keep searching the internet for something similar but can't find anything. 
We would love to pass this down to one of our children and give them the information. If anyone can help with any information I would greatly appreciate it. I'm pretty sure this piece is from either NY or Boston area. Thank you so much.
I received 4 chairs and one table I would like to know more about the history/age and manufacturer. Also, I would like to know how much these pieces worth. Many thanks!
Does anyone know anything about these chairs? Any information is much appreciated! My dad has owned them for a long time and now has to decide what to do with them. I wish I knew their story.
Ive researched as far as I can get and all I found is that they are probably wainscot style. Thanks!
These have a 1950s Spanish revival style vibe to them, but sadly I have very little knowledge about in the genre as you don't see many like them in the Pittsburgh reselling world that I live in. I know they can be very valuable if that is indeed what you have, so I do encourage you to find someone where you are and take a chair and have them give it a look see.
I really don't see anything that leads me to believe they are Wainscot style...so I am curious as to what you saw. Wainstcot style (to me) is usually bulky, solid back (not leather), much more ornate carving--the backs and seats, and they often have a severe (to me) shape to them. Don't look like a chair I could relax in.
Your chairs have a bit of whimsy in them with the decorative heel rest and elegant yet simple carving, but again, Wainscot style is not something we see a lot of in my resale world--so I could be totally off.
Post back what you learn!! Thanks for sharing!
