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When it comes to antique collectibles, antique chairs are among the most sought after items. One of the reasons for this is that antique chairs are easy to sell and yet is potentially worth a lot of money.
If you have a few chairs in your possession, take time to educate yourself about how they are valued so you can determine how much to sell yours for. You are welcome to follow our guide below and use all the tips. If it is not enough - you can always ask one of our antique experts.
If you want to have an appraisal of your chair and find the value, fill out our form and send us detailed photographs of the chair from different angles. Make sure you don’t forget to give us information about the brand, condition, and history of the chair
Antique chairs are very common to estimate online. At Mearto.com we receive lots of chairs that are either inherited or bought at auction. The benefit is that you don't have to load the truck with this heavy furniture and spend half a day driving to your local auction house.
But first - take a look at our guide that will explain how you value your chairs.
Antique chairs are valued by collectors because of the unique history and development of these items over the years. Before the 1600s, chairs were only available for the master and mistress of the house. For the others, they are only allowed to sit on benches or stools. It was after the end of the Middle Ages when chairs were manufactured. Prior to this, only benches were the available types of seating. But by the 17th century onwards, they were increasingly manufactured although still in limited quantities.
During the early years of production though, the chairs feature elaborate carving on the back and arms. The elaborate designs meant that they were only relegated to people of high status. You can learn more about each of these styles that were developed over the years and their corresponding market value.
The type of antique chair that you have is the single most important factor in determining its value. Below is a glimpse of the most common types of chairs that are sought after by collectors:
Wainscot Chairs
This type of antique chair comes with flat wooden seats and molded edge. This could cost up to five figures provided that the desirable features are present, such as marquetry, good patina, and fine cresting.
Queen Anne Chairs
If you have the Queen Anne chair, you will notice that it stands out in terms of its style. This chair is characterized by its curving outline and elongated scrolls. There are also some manufactured with bent back to fit the natural curve of the person’s back. You can get top value for this type of antique chair, provided it was manufactured to the highest standard of quality. If you can get a pair, its value will double as compared to selling single pieces of the chair.
Chippendale Chairs
Chippendale chairs are named after Thomas Chippendale, who was a famous cabinet maker. He was also an influential figure in the mid-18th century when it comes to chair design. The value of this chair is dependent on a number of factors; however, a good value single chair would average 4-figures.
Spindle Back Chairs
The spindle back chair, also known as ladder-back chair, were manufactured in Britain from the 18th to the 19th centuries. Single pieces of the spindle back chair can be valued at three figures but a complete set can reach four figures in value. On the other hand, there could be one-off designer pieces that can be extremely expensive.
Stools
The production of stools first came about in the 17th century. Specifically, the ‘back stool’ was a prevalent style during that time. They were also typically made in sets so they are highly sought after by antique collectors. The three common types of stools are as follows: 1) farthingales, oak dining chairs, and canework chairs.
Country Windsor Chairs
This type of antique chair was introduced in the 18th century and was manufactured in temporary workshops. Their use is quite widespread such as in farmhouses, kitchens, halls, and coffee houses. The value of Windsor chairs vary because there is also a wide range of style variations.
Victorian Chairs
A Victorian chair is one of the antique chairs that are sought after by collectors. The contemporary styles feature a rounded seat and waisted back. In terms of value, the Victorian chairs vary based on the details such as carvings and type of wood used for its manufacture (mostly mahogany, rosewood, and walnut).
Wing Chairs
This type of antique chair was produced to provide a seat for relaxation. When it was manufactured in the 18th century, it was not intended for formal use. Most wing chairs manufactured in the 18th century can generate a value of up to four figures when appraised today.
Now that you know the styles of antique chairs that are in the market, it is important to get familiar with the famous antique chairs and designers. These types of chairs tend to be of higher value. Therefore, if you have them, you can sell yours for a hefty price tag (provided that it is properly authenticated). Here are some of the famous antique furniture makers:
Before you can determine what your antique chair is worth, you must first learn how to identify it. The identification of antique chair is crucial in evaluating its value. These are some of the information you need for identification:
Are you looking to sell your antique chair? There are plenty of websites that will enable you to list your items for interested buyers to see. When choosing where to list your items, you need to choose the reputable ones such as eBay or Etsy. There are also several auction houses (locally or online) that have on-site appraisers that can look into your item for proper valuation. Before you list your antique chair for sale, you should always have it properly appraised to ensure its value.
Are you ready to have your antique chair valued? It is important that you educate yourself about what factors are used to determine its value. They are as follows:
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I am so happy to have found Mearto. Their team of seasoned professionals provide a wealth of knowledge in tandem with excellent customer care. They provided an expert valuation and advised me sell a painting that I purchased for just $10 at an estate sale for nearly $1,000 on eBay. I have used them on several occasions and have been extremely pleased every time.
Mearto provides exceptional service at an exceptional price!
I used the Mearto authentication service to develop a history of a family owned piece with little to no provenance, except being owned by my family for 65 years. They came back with a 20 page extensive report and included a full page bibliography for reference. The “Stylistic Observations” section of the report was most enlightening comparing my piece to the original, which was on public display in the 1940’s.
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Very polite and professional services that they provide, my appraisal involved looking into an oil painting by an artist whose work is over 400 years old. Not only did they write about the artist but also where he was from and where he was born and most importantly the value, I'm impressed. (worth every penny).
I will always use Mearto for future appraisals.
The authentication report we received from Mearto was very well researched and written, as well as detailed and comprehensive. From an examination of the artist's signature to a discussion of the figural representations in the work, Mearto's art specialists took the time to explain in non-technical terms their findings. Professional, responsive, and kind are just a few words to describe their communication throughout the process-- definitely money well spent!
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