Q: I inherited this bed and was wondering if you could tell me what kind it is and if it’s worth anything? We have talked to several people and no one has seen anything like this. I’ve attached two photos of it and can send more if you need them. There are no words or dates written on the piece. This bed has been in the family for several generations. If you could give me any insight into this family heirloom I would appreciate it.

A: That is quite a bed. The basic bed is Renaissance Revival style from the 1870s/1880s made of walnut with walnut burl veneer.
I have never seen or heard of a Renaissance Revival bed being able to expand like that. It could be a more or less modern revision to an old bed. I would have to see the attaching hardware and workmanship to be certain. If the attaching hardware that connects the moveable siderail to the post is flat stamped steel hooks it is modern adaptation. If the hardware is cast iron it is probably period from the late 1800s. If it turns out to be genuine and original it could be worth in the $1,000 range (or more) at auction. Otherwise it is a $300 bed.

Q: My family owns a rocking chair, perhaps from the 1920s, that I believe was made by the Larkin Co. of Buffalo, N.Y., and was obtained through premiums from buying Larkin’s Soap. The chair is black in color, has arms, and has a unique painting of courting lovers on the back of the chair. It is not in especially good condition and the painting has faded over the years. Would you know the value of such a chair, and whether it should be restored?

A: I do not believe your chair is a Larkin chair. My reproduction copy of the Larkin catalog goes from 1901 up to 1922 and there is nothing even remotely resembling that chair. The style and construction of your chair predates the 1920s by two decades. Your chair was made around or just after the turn of the 20th century. It is made of birch with a mahogany finish. That is called “simulated mahogany” and was correctly explained in the 1902 Sears catalog as being both stronger and less expensive than genuine mahogany.

The reason it looks black is because the original finish was shellac. Shellac is an organic finish that oxidizes and turns black as it ages. Your chair originally was mahogany colored.

The style of the painting is called “Vernis Martin” and it is frequently seen on French vitrines of the late 19th and early 20th century. The chair can certainly be restored by a good furniture professional without disturbing the painting. Unfortunately the chair does not have a great deal of value. It is a factory made 20th century chair. In restored condition your chair would sell in the $100-150 range at auction.

Q: I have recently acquired an old bowback Windsor chair and it has some old repairs done to it. The question I have is how old is this chair and do the repairs greatly impact its value? I think the repairs add character but that’s just me.

A: Your chair is virtually identical to one illustrated on page 119 of Field Guide to American Antique Furniture by Joseph T. Butler, Henry Holt. It is described as “Bow back chair.

New England probably Connecticut. 1790-1810.” That is also about the age and provenance of your chair.

The repairs, while maybe adding “character,” are crudely done in antique furniture terms and greatly detract from the value of the chair. It appears that period Windsors in good condition just don’t bring much money. I found numerous examples of similar chairs in better condition than yours that sold at auction recently for between $80 and $100. Your chair would sell for less than $100 at auction.