Featured Article on falling prices

https://reaction.life/why-has-the-bottom-dropped-out-of-the-antiques-market/

 

Well, that seems exceedingly logical and accurate, 100% IMO.
I’ve been waiting for the “reuse/recycle/no plastics/estate sale to table/keep it out of the landfill” element of old furniture and antiques in general to spring-up but I’m not sure it’s going to happen. The repurpose thing has gotten some lovin’ which is cool but it’s a spotty deal.

 

Maybe its not such a bad thing to have people buying more because they like it than for investment. I think because of Antiques Roadshow and their ilk that people became far more focused on worth than beauty.

 

I agree with most of the writer's points but he's wrong about home size being a factor, at least in the US. Average home size in the US has more than doubled from 1289sf in 1960 to 2657sf in 2014. In Britain, on the other hand, they have gone from 909 to 729 during this period. And I disagree with his take on the shopping experience at IKEA, which I put up there with a trip to the dentist or DMV. One key factor he missed was the death of the formal dining room we've seen in the US in recent years, a big blow to the demand for grand dining tables, chairs, and sideboards.

 

I'd say that's still the case judging by the $100 or less pieces of junk that float thru here with folks clamoring for what is the value.
HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL!

Indeed.
There are exceptions to this trend, southern huntboards for example but, I'd guess because of their usually small size they are placed in enlarged eat-in kitchens or entry foyers.

 

I wasn't familiar with huntboards, had to Google some images. Yes, agree, smaller sideboards that can be used in entries, kitchens, or as media consoles are still in demand.

 

Yes, they are, taller than a sideboard, usually 42 inches tall rather than the normal 36 inches for sideboards.
Utility-type pieces with very little to zero decoration.
HOT as a firecracker at the moment, amazed at the prices these small utility sideboards reach at auction.

 

Yes, I see what you mean. Brunk's has these two coming up in two weeks, estimated between $2K and $3K each.

 

They'll get it to, even more, housewives & decorators are on these guys like a BAD HABIT!
The term Hunt-Board is a TOTAL myth BTW. Where folks eat & drank on horseback from these tables during a hunt.
There is ZERO evidence to back up that claim, anyone who has spent a few hours on the back of a horse knows that the FIRST thing you wanna do is, get OFF the friggin horse! Not lounge around up there eating & drinking.
Probably a marketing type dealio that someone dreamed up to aid sales, like so many old furniture stories, TOTAL MYTH!

 

Sadly, but seemingly right on....
Leslie

 

These are identical to the european/British Georgian and regency sideboard.

 

The larger ones have moved into babies rooms as changing tables. Often painted of course.

 

Really? I didn't know that, kinda makes sense though with a large top and plenty of storage for baby stuff.
You often see large Federal-era sideboards selling for a few hundred at auction & huntboards are fought over and sell for thousands.
As noted by Mark above, large formal dining furniture is dead as a doornail around my area, no one wants it.

 

Can't complain if it keeps them out of the landfill, and they hold all sorts of stuff. Formal dining furniture here does sell, but not for nearly what it did new. China cupboards often go begging, even crazy cool MCM pieces.

 

OOPS! I just purchased a china cupboard, naturally, I don't have a single piece of china to put in it.

 

True, but what a lot of people don't realize is the top piece is often separate, allowing you to ditch it and be left with a cool credenza.

 

Fill it with books?!

Half the time the top is the good part.

 

Mine is a single piece cupboard so separating is not an option'
It's small, only 72.5 inches tall, probably lost several inches over the years
Back

 

Good idea, that I have!

 

What's the front look like? The back looks older than dirt - about how you like 'em.