Featured Can you give me a ballpark value?

Here is a very good comparable. Note the difference in quality again..... but also the difference in price. I just don't see the kind of quality in yours that I would expect in a 19th century piece.

http://www.onlinegalleries.com/art-...uk-pedestal-sideboard-of-superb-patina/259952

 

Looking at it now I do feel like the top and drawers don't really jibe stylistically. I know nothing about antiques though.

 

So in your opinion it's an older piece than what is advertised as? Does that explain less detail in the craftsmanship?

 

No. More likely a newer piece made in the style of the nicer 19th century ones. The seller said it was in the style of a Georgian piece which would be 18th century. It might be in the style of the 18th and 19th century ones but is no where near the quality. I found a few other 19th century ones. All were vastly superior to yours. They also were quite pricey. I guess you really need to decide if an inferior facsimile is worth a fraction of the value of a nice one, albeit still a lot of money.

 

So you think it's not really antique at all?

 

I'm a bit confused... is the one in the Ebay link Archey posted for comparison or is that the one that was purchased? It seems to be the exact same desk in form, same exact edging on the top, but not the same price.


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?campid=5337485078&toolid=10001&mpre=http://www.ebay.com/itm/161711271937

 

Ya that's the one I purchased. I gave a best offer. That's why the amounts are different.

 

Lucille that is the one Archey bought.

Brad is much more involved with furniture than I am, and definitely more knowledgeable about woods and furniture periods.
My two cents for what ever it is worth.

You obviously liked it. Surely you have done a little research on other items that are similar.
From what I have seen online, the ones in better shape and of the time period are in a much higher price range.
My only concern is that the others appear not to have hardware. So the handles and knobs may be new to the piece, or indicate that it is a copy. I also think maybe yours is missing a backboard of sorts.

If it is indeed from the early 1800s, it has seen some hard use and the price reflects the condition.
Just don't beat yourself up. You liked it enough to pay that price. Put it in your home and enjoy it.

If you scroll through these you can compare
https://www.google.com/search?q=Ant...2Y7TAhUBVmMKHa0tBDIQ_AUICSgC&biw=1450&bih=890

 

Archey,

I can't help with the piece itself, but I do know that Northampton, MA can be a rather "high rent" district. (but Springfield, MA, where their warehouse is, not so much...)

I have a feeling you're helping to pay for their nice new storefront.

 

Well I feel better now!

 

Archey, you bought something you like, as all have said, and we assume you will not have to forgo every second meal for the next several months. A great piece of furniture and a price that reflects somewhat average value, as SBZVC mentioned, in a quite high price area. Home of Smith College in triumvirate of Mt. Holyoke and Amherst Colleges.
The one item that I ask is you did notice the decent size crack in picture no. 3 before you placed your bid. Correct?
And it is solid rosewood, not veneer? Right. As stated.

 

The good news is I won't miss any meals. The bad news is that those meals will be Raman noodles. As far as the crack, yes I saw it. The top part I'm confident is solid. As for the rest of it I am unsure. I'm hoping that it is. It was advertised as being solid.

 

My only advice would be to stick to the Ramen Noodle brand and don't go for some off brand.

 

Look at Mr. fancy pants with his name brand noodles!

 

Looks like someone cut it down and glued it together to fit the desk as the edge carvings do not match up.

 

The grain matches up well. It almost looks like a book matched top actually.

 

I do see what you mean about the carving. Strange.

 

I've a desk in three pieces, as it were. The two side columns are separate from the top, which lifts off. Common here.

 

PS, and OT; Archey, did you make the guitar in your avatar (or are in the process of making?)
There's a show-your-talent thread somewhere, you could post pics of guitars you've made, if so. I (and I'm sure others) would like to see them.

 

Yep, it's mine! It isn't quite done yet. Here's another one I made. Steve liked it!