Antique furniture, how bad is too bad.

[plasticpigeon]

Is this too far gone? I'm tempted, it is exactly what I want, and small ones are harder to find, but it looks a bit or a wreck.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mirrored-Victorian-sideboard-project-Hand-painted-glass-Inlaid-drawers-cupboards/303202988321?hash=item46984e7121:g:HoQAAOSwjm5dE3n~

 

[livias]

I think the correct question is "How do you cost your time?"

It would take a lot of work to get it looking good. Of course if you are only planning to tart up the top and then paint it that does not apply, but i suspect you want to keep it 'original' looking. I think that if so then myself I would let it go on the principle that there will be another one along in a minute, which has been lurking in a little old ladies house, carefully polished, but if you have more time than money then it definitely has potential
If you do think of buying it then I would not do so without a personal viewing. The cupboard doors could easily be wonky etc ...

It would suit your house beautifully when it is renovated

 

[88v8]

That's a lovely thing. Unusual. I would have said Edwardian.
It'll be cheap, I'll wager.

Shame about the veneer. I've not done much veneering, can be hard matching the grain. Then there's the finishing. And when one area is repaired, it may make the rest of it look shabby.
As livias says, a potential time sponge.
But if you were to send it to a restorer, you may be pleasantly surprised how little it costs. Be clear however whether they're going to hand polish, or just blow it over.

What's acceptable, depends where it's going.
If all the furniture is somewhat lived in, that's one thing, but you have certain standards as I recall.
Also depends on the lighting. Soft light can hide a multitude of sins.

Ivor

 

[Gothichome]

PP, that is a fantastic piece of furniture, and I agree with Ivor, Edwardian or very late Victorian. For 50£ how can you go wrong. If nothing else in the short term you can clean it up and place some doilies down to hide the bad spots. Although I would call this a China press rather than a side board. In my mind a proper side board would have large flat top, with or with out a hood. I would think it would also make for a great eterge in your best parlour.

 

[Owain]

For £50 you have to save it from the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint ... :evil:

Depends whether the veneer is actually badly damaged or just lifting - it might glue back down fairly well

 

[plasticpigeon]

My head says no, but I have a weird compulsion to fix and restore things. However I don't think it will sell for £50, I might wait a bit.

 

[88v8]

...I don't think it will sell for £50, I might wait a bit.

You were right.
So, now?

Ivor

 

[plasticpigeon]

Not sure. I'm wondering about french polishing. I am reasonably comfortable french polishishing flat surfaces but all those shelves and the nooks and crannies in the mirror back woudl be very hard to polish. Does anyone have tips for reviving or refinishing awkwardly shaped areas on antique furniture? An old book I have suggests spirit glaze made from gum benzoin in alcohol. I shall keep an eye on it and if nothing in better condition comes up soon, I might have a bid, but I don't think there is any rush!

 

[88v8]

The risk is that it's broken up and those painted panels are sold as 'objet'

It has your name on it.

Ivor

 

[plasticpigeon]

When I was with my partner she wouldn't allow such extravagances in the house and there were quite a few of these inlaid OTT cabinets for sale. Lovely ones were around £300 - £400. I remember an absolute stunner for sale in Worcester that never sold. Now I am single and can go mad there are none to be seen. Just realised that one is on the south coats so nearly 200 miles!!

 

[livias]

Sit tight then. A good one will turn up more locally

 

[plasticpigeon]

You were right! I went against my instinct, waited and had a hunt about. I should be picking this up on Sunday. A bit smaller and probably a better fit in my little house.

 

[livias]

Result! I look forward to seeing it in situ

 

[plasticpigeon]

I picked up the cabinet yesterday. It's pretty good. The drawer is a slightly lighter colour than the rest which is a little odd and unfortunately the cupboard doors have been stripped of their mirror silver, but I have decided to get these resilvered to make for a lighter appearance. There need to be a few little repairs to make it neat, and the top is a bit warped which I can't do anything about, but it is a perfect size for my room, being quite a small cabinet compared to many at 120cm wide and 30cm deep. The inlays are great. There is something similar for sale for 20 times the amount I paid! The antiques market is an odd one. 2 of the panels are upside down on the pricey one. It makes me wonder how these were made, and if perhaps they came as a kit with interchangeable panels tops and shelves etc. No time served joiner would put the urns upside down would they???

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Sideboard-Edwardian-Mirror-Back-c1910/323830951007?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[Gothichome]

Well look at that, it just glows with aged elegance once all polished up. Now you need some fine antique English or chines porcelain to fill it up.

 

[88v8]

No time served joiner would put the urns upside down would they???

Very nice Eddy cabinet. Watch for the veneers lifting in your central heating.

Upside down... hmmm, when we moved from our first house in 1980, my wife pointed out that I'd papered our sitting room with the paper upside down. She hadn't liked to tell me before. It looked OK to me.

Ivor