Edwardian Art Nouveau Style Mahogany Parlor Suite
I have several pieces that belonged to my father's great aunt. These pieces came out of Wemyss Castle in Scotland. His great aunt was married into the family that lives there. I have a loveseat/bench, 2 arm chairs, and 2 chairs without arms. My understanding is that this furniture has been reupolstered but is otherwise original. I don't see any maker's marks on it and I don't know how old the furniture is.
The items came from the Wemyss Castle in Scotland. I inherited them from my father's family.
Inherited
Yes
Hi Craig,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
My first impression - just from the photographs - was that this was a second period set, probably late 19th or early 20th century - but after reading your description and comments it could be earlier, though possibly refinished (in addition to having been reupholstered).
Is it possible for you to take some detail photographs of the joints between the arms, backs, seat rails, undersides of the chairs, etc? I need to look for evidence of tools and construction techniques I can't see in these photographs.
No hurry on my end - I look forward to hearing from you at your convenience!
Delia
The backs are about 38" high. I've included several pictures of the joinery. I can't tell much other than the joints appear to be tight. I've also included a picture from the side showing the rake. The vertical line to the right is a wall corner for reference.
I haven't found any documentation on the origins of the furniture or where it came from. I only know what my aunt told me about it. I'll have to dig through my father's files. Could you give me an idea of how much of a difference it would make if I could find documentation on it?
Thanks very much for the additional photos and measurements, Craig. What I can tell from the photos is that these were made in the early 20th Century - between 1900-1930 - during the Edwardian period and in an interesting combination of Chippendale and Art Nouveau. If there had been any papers your family kept to confirm where they obtained the furniture, that would more narrowly pinpoint age and area of manufacture (including possibly a maker) and *could* see an uptick in the value.
If these were to go to auction, I would strongly recommend keeping the set intact (rather than selling the pieces individually) and it would most likely be cataloged as:
An Edwardian Art Nouveau style mahogany parlor suite
English or Scottish, 1900-1930
Comprising:
A settee, two armchairs and two slipper side chairs
38 and 37 inches high
PROVENANCE: inherited from family who lived at Wemyss Castle in Scotland
$3,000-5,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.
Also, could you take a photo of each piece from the SIDE so I can see the profile of the pieces and the rake of their backs?
If you'd like this appraisal to include dimensions - which is customary - I would also need the overall height of the back, the height of the front of the seat and the width of either the front of the seat or the width across the outside of the arms for the armchairs. Depth isnt' necessary.