Pair of Chairs

As my moms is downsizing I’m having to triage on what I can keep….it is sad that I don’t have a basement lol!
Anyhow…all I “know” about these is the story that they came “around the horn”, which I’ve heard since the 70’s. They need a bit of love and they’re not the sturdiest/hardiest…which somewhat jives with the story that the others broke over time and were used as kindling/etc.
Any info on age and origin would be appreciated as always!!
Thanks Folks!

 

It appears that the original seat material was not the caning that's there now. This caning is the modern "press in" type and the picture of the underside does not reveal any holes for caning from a previous job. When you heard the "round the horn" story, what did you understand the timing to be for that trip?

 

It would have been quicker and cheaper to put them on a train at the time.

Debora

 

The story was that they came from Europe before the Sues Canal was in operation..which would make them older than they seem to be…and likely make them French…or at least European based on family heritage. Again…most of the “stories” haven’t panned-out…probably due them getting “richer” as the years go on, as happens pretty often it seems!

 

Well, that's quite a story. But you do know there is zero chance that these chairs are that old, right?

 

Came from Europe through the Suez Canal and around the southern tip of South America? No offense but... That would have been a h***va detour.

Debora

 

Many families have similar provenance stories. They're quite sweet chairs, no matter how they reached their final destination. And, just for perspective, the Suez Canal opened in 1869. Sailing "around the Horn" was no longer necessary when the Panama Canal opened in 1914.

Debora

 

SORRY!!

I meant the Panama Canal!! I’m guessing my brain went to Suez because it was in the news recently….my poor brain!!

 

Thinking early 20th century oak on these. They look like "folk" pieces by somebody who was very accomplished, but not necessarily a professional cabinet maker. Journeyman pieces.

 

@Ghopper, what would their original seats have been?

Debora

 

Could have been channel caned or board. I actually think these look good with the channel caning, if it were repaired/replaced.

 

I do too. Adds to impression of weightlessness.

Debora

 

We’ll, they are feather-light!

Thank You so much for the info everyone! FYI, my mom has asked me not to share any informed information I discover about any of these pieces unless it corroborates the story or increases the value. Like a lot of folks she doesn’t realize that oak isn’t worth much more than particle board if you’re selling…so I’m keeping quiet!

 

Not share with whom? A potential buyer? Hmmm, if so, that seems rather dishonest.

 

Here's a little more information: Not only is brown furniture in a lengthy depression, but chairs lead the way. It's very easy to over-value chairs, but they are almost always worth less than you think they should be. In my part of the U.S. Midwest these chairs might bring $20 each at auction.

 

We had this same exact set of six in our auction gallery. We could not sell them. Finally, we had an onsite estate sale and they sold. All 6 for $50. None of them had damaged caning. The new owner was lacquer painting them.

 

Ahhhh. Lacquer painting? Noooo!

Debora

 

And it will cost more than that to re-cane them.

 

The machine caning looks original to the chair's design to me.

 

In my museum days, I found that 99% of the given family origin stories were disproven by the manufacture date of the item itself. The stories are charming, but rarely valid. One of my favorites was this alligator bag that came across the Oregon Trail. Perhaps it did...but in an automobile!