Can someone tell me what type of wood this is and its current value. Quite often, cracks in old furniture arise from failed glue joints. The dovetail joint, got its name because of its similarity to the. It makes a nice change to see that someone knows what it is all about. Whether its a recent acquisition that got damaged, or antique furniture you want to restore, we have you covered.
A perfect choice for restorations, its also a wonderful addition to your kitchen or bath cabinets. Ive seen plenty of cracked up american made furniture as well as chinese imports. Antique chinese furniture restorationlearn how the antique chinese furniture are restoredrefurnished to improve the finish available so that you can select the right antique chinese furniture pieces. Caring for your antique furniture tips on cleaning. Dovetails a clue for dating antiques the harp gallery. Chair joints furniture making furniture making blog. Woodworking cabinets sawdust girl woodworking machines ideas. All that prevented such a drawer front from being torn from the drawer when the handles were pulled were two to six wrought iron nails. There are two small antique backboards missing at the back of the dresser which can not be seen nor does the fact that they are missing have any impact on the functionality of this. These historic tables fit right in with your antiques and dont waterspot like most imported tables do. Antique furniture joinery the antique warehouse blog. How to paint furniture with chalk paint by kelly dobbs henthorne, abshier house, abshier house chalk paint can be used to paint almost anything walls, kitchen cabinets, metal, wood, and even fabric but the most common use is to give new life to old furniture or to make newer pieces look old.
On the other hand, if the piece of furniture is not a valuable antique and you would prefer that the finish not have the appearance of cracking or crazing, you can try reamalgamation. The degree is determined by softness of the lumber, age, and environment. If you discover that a chair is constructed using mortise and tenon joints as opposed to dowel construction you can be sure its a high quality chair. Joinery is a part of woodworking that involves joining together pieces of wood or lumber, to produce more complex items. Because the refinishing process is done with meticulous care, and with the goal of bringing out the objects inherent character, the craftsman. I own a small furniture manufacturing plant that specializes in pine bedroom furniture. As an amazon associate i earn from qualifying purchases. Mr knapp would later patent his design in 1867, leading the way for factories to start mass producing drawers using his machinery.
Petticoat junktion is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program. Joint stools small rectangular stools with four turned legs joined with stretchers were the commonest form of seating, but brewster and carver chairs also came into use, the most popular chairs being simplified versions of english turned chairs. This is the process of applying a solvent to smooth out the damaged finish. If you have an antique piece of furniture that features drawers with a curiouslooking halfcircle joint, you can be almost certain that it was made in a north american factory between 1871 and 1900. I can date it because of the joints, but what i dont know is where it was made. This washstand features a single drawer above two additional drawers to the left and a cabinet area to the right. By john tope the male part or tongue is called the tenon, and the female recessed cut it enters on the other side is called the mortise.
Knowing the history of the technology of various periods goes a long way toward explaining clues about the age of furniture and none is more. Front of drawers have carved out floral decoration. Ive made and sold thousands of pieces of furniture and cracking is always do to improper drying of the wood and a very dry environment can speed up the cracking. Its the experience of the maker, not the ethnicity of the maker. The name dovetail comes from the appearance of the joints, used to assemble drawers and structural pieces on case or storage furniture, such as chests and bureaus, which look like the triangle shape of a doves tail. Antique walnut dresser with knapp joint drawers ebth. This type of joint was developed by a mr charles knapp of waterloo wisconsin, during the 1860s. Identifying authentic american antique furniture by myrna kaye.
Dovetail joints often hold two boards together in a box or drawer, almost like interlocking the fingertips of your hands. Learn how to repair joints and stop small structural problems from becoming big ones. One of the first things to be looked at when trying to determine the age of a piece of antique furniture is the type of joinery used in the construction of the piece. Therefore, authentic antique furniture can be discerned by inspecting for evidence of. How to keep antique furniture from drying out home guides sf. It is a five sided box that must fit perfectly with. How to make these alternative dovetail joints the knapp joint duration. Can you please confirm the era, wood, and what current resale value would be. Employing a process called overmoulding, an elastic material is cleverly used to join together the otherwise flat plywood elements of the chairs sideslegs, seat and backrest, to create an expressive three. Tom johnson of thomas johnson antique furniture restoration in gorham, maine performs several repairs on an antique bowfront chest of drawers that had. Now that we understand wood movement and why wood cracks, its important when building or designing diy furniture to recognize the types of joints prone to cracking. Our rustic tables have a lowsheen handplaned finish that begs to be felt and seen.
Antique furniture mortise and tenon joining antqrestoration. In some situations, the removal of cracking and crazing can devalue the furniture. Most quality pieces of antique furniture will have a dovetail joint in the drawer construction as it was a very early form of construction, but was so successful, it was used for many 100s of years. Mistakes with wood can cause your diy furniture to crack. Heres why joints crack and pop, and what it really means for your poor old body. Heres why joints crack and pop, and what it really means for. While it came to be known as the knapp joint, the joint is also variously described by its appearance. There are far too many idiots in the antique trade. I want to keep the pieces dresser, vanity wmirror and bedside table in the family for as long as possible but the drawers are not sturdy. See more ideas about woodworking, joinery and antique furniture. Im old schoolcannot understand how someone can buy a used cartool furniture without being able to do at least an eyes on inspection.
Learn more about caring for antique furniture in this video. The bureau had been through quite a lot over years, from dog bites on the leg. As solid as dovetails, knapp joint solidly dates antique furniture drawers. Antique tables made daily makes the most authentic reproduction farm tables available anywhere. Every couple of months, wax with a good quality paste wax that can be found in any hardware store. Aug 25, 2015 dovetail joints in antique furniture august 25, 2015 admin 0 comments furniture harriet chavasse of thakeham furniture explores the importance of dovetail joints in the evolution of furniture throughout the ages and offers advice on what to look for when examining items. Tenon joints are pegs of wood driven through two pieces to cement them together. Im not the owner, this is a piece im considering buying. Apr 16, 2018 antique furniture restoration how to fill and hide imperfections. In damp conditions, tannic acid in the oak would accelerate. So now you know that a piece of furniture with those odd little drawer joints was made between 1871 and 1900 without a doubt.
Careful placement of antique wooden furniture within the home so that it is not overly exposed to light, extremes of temperature or excessive humidity, along with a simple dusting and waxing routine will keep your furniture in great condition for years to come. Joinery is a part of woodworking that involves joining together pieces of wood or lumber. Jan 30, 2014 furniture detective columnist fred taylor says in an effort to determine the range of the age of a piece of furniture, we have the beginnings of a builtin time line if the piece has drawers. Over the years it was used by my younger brothers and is now destroyed. A pretty antique walnut wood dresser featuring grooved edges and three drawers with knapp joint construction. During your spring cleaning, dont forget to think about your antiques. To this end, in the later 19th century, charles knapp invented and perfected machines that produced what came to be called, oddly enough, the knapp joint. Caring for antique wooden furniture protect your valuable. Until the midseventeenthcentury, drawer sides were normally nailed into rebates cut in the ends of the drawer fronts figure 1.
Some wood joints employ fasteners, bindings, or adhesives, while others use only wood elements. At about the same time, machinery that did simulate the handmade dovetail was perfected and by 1900 the knapp joint had completely disappeared from the american furniture scene. Michael varese restores antique furniture for dealers and collectors. Antique furniture joints determine the quality of your antique furniture. How to paint furniture with chalk paint by kelly dobbs henthorne, abshier house, abshier house chalk paint can be used to paint almost anything walls, kitchen cabinets, metal, wood, and even fabric but the most common use is to give new life. George iii period oak joint stool sturmans antiques ltd. Here are a few quick tips on how to repair damaged furniture, and fixing it back to proper health. Feb 18, 20 i lectured on the subject of antiques from 76 till 95 and i am glad to have read this page. Antique furniture restoration how to fill and hide imperfections. Sep 21, 2018 what is a dovetail joint on antique furniture. How to repair vintage furniture pin and dovetail joint. Fred taylor archives page 6 of 10 liveauctioneers auction. They are put together using the pin and dovetail joint connection and when i pull the drawer out sometimes the. When a piece absorbs moisture, it may swell, and when it dries, it will contract, cracking and dislodging glue, veneers and joints.
Realtime visualization of joint cavitation ncbi nih. In many instances, a crack that doesnt occur at a joint can be repaired readily by cleaning, gluing, and clamping, too. By lisa, 4 years ago on identify antique furniture. May 07, 2014 in order to make furniture more cheaply, those less virtuous and skilled needed another method of joining wood. How to keep antique furniture from drying out home.
The characteristics of wooden joints strength, flexibility, toughness, appearance, etc. The history of antique furniture most quality pieces of antique furniture will have a dovetail joint in the drawer construction as it was a very early form of construction, but was so successful, it was used for many 100s of years. Knapp of waterloo, wis invented the knapp dovetail and a patent was granted in 1867 and improved patent in1872 the joint he came up with has several colloquial names scallop and dowel, pin and scallop, half moon and all. Fancy a joint innovative joinery in new furniture design. Here are four popular joints that could crack over time. Antique furniture restoration how to fill and hide. Loose joints on wooden furniture can cause longterm damage to the rest of the frame by increasing stress on other joints.
The knapp joint, patented by charles knapp of waterloo, wi in 1867, was a huge advance for the furniture industry because it could be made quickly by machines called routers, which could create circular cuts in wood. Pick from irish tables, french tables, shaker tables, tavern tables and primitive tables. Dovetails a clue for dating antiques ezinearticles. Check the drawers for the first sign of age on antique. This beautiful antique desk has been refinished in miss mustard seed milk paint arabesque. A drawer is a fairly difficult thing to build when you get right down to it. Our problem is warping and cracking along the glue lines. How to repair antique furniture joints petticoat junktion. The literally titled elastic wood chair by young israeli designer gil sheffi, one third of design collective bakery, kind of gives the game away before youve even seen the piece. Nov 29, 20 how to repair a broken chair arm is easy. May 27, 2010 i inherited some antique vintage furniture from my greatgrandmother. Invaluable is the worlds largest marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles. I was just trying to figure out how to fill the cracks and saw your tip.
Unfortunately, bubble collapse as the source of joint cracking is inconsistent with many physical. Harriet chavasse of thakeham furniture explores the importance of dovetail joints in the evolution of furniture throughout the ages and offers advice on. I know the dresser was manufactured between 1871 and 1900 but its the stamp on the back that i cant place. In order to make furniture more cheaply, those less virtuous and skilled needed another method of joining wood. Desk antique buy and sell furniture in ontario kijiji. Drying could cause them to crack or become loose, making the piece wobbly. Recognizing age and construction in antique furniture. Knapp joint dresser antique appraisal instappraisal. I was prompted to seek its info, when someone wrongly dated a chest as charles ii, when it was obviously post 1700. Each of these drawers is constructed with knapp joints and has a swan neck pull with molded metal backplate. Dovetailing is an excellent way to estimate the age of a piece of antique furniture. Restoring a chest of drawers thomas johnson antique furniture restoration, chairs get old and creaky, too reglue to the rescue. In fact it is probably the best collection of american antique furniture south of williamsburg.
Antique period country oak joint stool eras of style. This elegant 1 58inch beaded knob design was popular on sheraton style furniture of the federal period. Gk is supported by the canada research chairs program. All drawers slide well, the knapp joints date this dresser between 1870 and 1900. Antique furniture is one of the most faked types of items. As the dovetail joint evolved through the last one hundred thirty years, it becomes a clue for the age and authenticity of antique furniture. May 11, 2008 ive made and sold thousands of pieces of furniture and cracking is always do to improper drying of the wood and a very dry environment can speed up the cracking. Im talking about the nasty chip that came off the arm of the chai. It could be a reproduction or you might have a partial original with newer additions. The normal joint in this type of chair is the rectangular mortise and tenon. Knapp had worked on the idea of machinemade drawer joints. Alterations, chips or cracks may diminish value by 50% or more. I inherited some antiquevintage furniture from my greatgrandmother. By jill m, 2 years ago on identify antique furniture.
Woodworking lamp ana white wood working joints table saw. I dont know that this type of wood, whatever it may. A crossgrain joint is a joint where wood is attached perpendicular to each other. Reproduced in stamped and wrought brass with our living antique finish.
Repairing cracking and crazing furniture finishes furniture. Repairing splits in older furniture the new york times. Recognizing different kinds of furniture joints can help you determine the quality of antique furniture. Repairing these becomes a matter of cleaning out loose fibers and old glue, fitting the parts, and gluing them back together.
I have read thru many threads on this site and noticed these drawers look to have the knapp joints. Knapp of waterloo, wis invented the knapp dovetail and a patent was granted in 1867 and improved patent in1872 the joint he came up with has several colloquial names scallop and dowel, pin and scallop, half moon and all describe the new joint, which looks like a peg in a half circle on the side of a drawer. Each type has joints that are suited for the particular strains and stresses that will be placed on it. Gorgeous transfer has been added to the top, fully functioning drawer and lots of little cubby holes. In this months column, well give you seven tips to help you care for your antique furniture. The history of the coveandpin joint finewoodworking. Mar 31, 2020 top back rail joints are illustrated in 466. Drawers made between the 1860s and the early 1900s may use the knapp joint instead of the dovetail joint. They are put together using the pin and dovetail joint connection and when i.
333 608 107 1222 814 241 39 1237 1233 1611 1062 923 304 346 594 1009 335 1597 549 95 234 348 1576 722 1135 261 1148 824 278 88 1342 702