Identification

now you have to buy lots of colorful umbrellas !!!!

 

I may just end up looking for some antique umbrellas, and I'm definitely putting my dad's cane on it, and a couple of old hats from my Husband's grandparents. Maybe my mom's urn if it looks ok.

 

Super ideas you have for it! Be sure & let us know if you bring it home.

 

Sure will!

 

It is a nice piece but I have to go against the crowd and say I think $350 is way overpriced. Id offer $250 max and walk away if she didnt accept it.I guarantee youll find another one and much cheaper to boot.I see these all the time here in fla for $100-200 . But then again,Im a cheapo .

 

The mirror appears to be replaced. I don't see a beveled edge.
For me that would lower the value of the piece.
If you REALLY like it, as suggested, try for $300.

 

You might also try facebook marketplace and check out antique hall trees. I just cruised through my area and there were several,all around $100-200.

 

I decided to pass on it. I admit that I have no idea what I'm doing, but I think it may have been a reproduction. There were some things that seem right but other things that seemed off. There were some pieces that were loose, some pieces that had obviously been glued back on, one of the hoops for the umbrella was bent weird like it had been smashed, and it was sort of wobbly. There were somethings that were nailed, and other things that were screwed on, and there was no makers mark or anything to identify it. The mirror was not beveled either. I have a very strong gut sense, and my gut told me not to get it. It just didn't feel right, so I passed. Once I looked at it in person it wasn't as appealing. Maybe I made a mistake, I don't know, but I'm sure if I am patient something that feels right will come along. Hopefully I can learn more so that when I go look at another one I will have a better sense of what I'm doing, but I wasn't comfortable spending that kind of money on something that didn't seem original. Thank you everyone for your input!

 

I look at marketplace several times a day. I just haven't had anything else interesting come up yet.

 

Often the best thing to trust. And the things you mention only confirm it.
There will be other, nice pieces.

 

I thought it was a Repro as well, it just didn't look period to me in photos, i said nothing till now because victorian isn't in my area of interest so wasn't sure.
You made the correct move, if it doubt, pass it by, there are literally millions of them around, GOOD JOB!

 

Don't think it was repo but I do think it sounds like had been treated badly and poorly repaired on more than one occasion. Beveled mirrors are not diagnostic; ; I've got examples of authentic pieces on both sides of that fence. Beveled is usually prettier. And just FYI, pre-20th century furniture is not often labeled, so don't count on that. Sometimes you'll get lucky, but usually not.

That being said I'm glad you've developed a gut sense. This one was not for you, but one of the ones coming down the pike will be. The good thing for you, Kim, is that this is a buyers market for Victorian furniture, and if you stick with it you'll get some great bargains!

 

Agree with Ghopper.

Judging from the brasses and marble, I think it was probably English and not American.
Sounds like it had some repair, which is not unusual. However, there are good repairs and bad repairs.

Antique furniture is hardly ever marked. Your best bet would be to get some books from the library.
You need to familiarize yourself with styles, woods and types of hardware used.
None of these sites reference American Oak which was very popular with the masses during the 1880s to WWI.

I only scanned these, didn't read them. It's a start.
http://www.connectedlines.com/styleguide/style14.htm
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/twelve-periods-of-american-furniture-3536520
https://www.invaluable.com/blog/early-american-furniture/
https://www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/a_primer_on_furniture_styles/

 

ghopper & cluttered bring up some very good points & illustrates perfectly why an in person examination is required to be sure.

You could very well be correct & why i thought repro, with american i would expect to see wood arms at top of umbrella holder & cast iron trays at bottom.
Still, i know just enough about Victorian furniture (ditto english) to get me in trouble.

 

The marble piece wasn't even attached, it was just a piece sitting on top of the drawer, so I don't know if it was even supposed to be there. I would have thought that it would have been attached if it were an original part. You could just pull it off.

 

I think that's normal, what did the back look like?

 

Now on to the "thrill of the hunt" for you!

Glad you got to see it in person.

 

From the pictures you show of the back, I don't see anything alarming about the use of both nails and screws.
This shows that the nails have oxidized in the wood. Meaning they have been there for quite a while. How long I can't tell you.
Maybe @Ghopper1924 or @James Conrad can explain this better.

 

Agreed, Yes, back seems to have age to it, it's not a reproduction like i first thought.
Still, none of this really matters, what matters is, you saw it in person & did not have a good emotional reaction so time to move on, plenty more out there.
You did the right thing, nexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxt!