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. In this months column, well give you seven tips to help you care for your antique furniture. Woodworking lamp ana white wood working joints table saw. Drying could cause them to crack or become loose, making the piece wobbly. 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. Each of these drawers is constructed with knapp joints and has a swan neck pull with molded metal backplate. 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.
The degree is determined by softness of the lumber, age, and environment. Restoring a chest of drawers thomas johnson antique furniture restoration, chairs get old and creaky, too reglue to the rescue. Repairing cracking and crazing furniture finishes furniture. Each type has joints that are suited for the particular strains and stresses that will be placed on it. Apr 16, 2018 antique furniture restoration how to fill and hide imperfections. Desk antique buy and sell furniture in ontario kijiji. 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. Every couple of months, wax with a good quality paste wax that can be found in any hardware store. As solid as dovetails, knapp joint solidly dates antique furniture drawers. Identifying authentic american antique furniture by myrna kaye. The bureau had been through quite a lot over years, from dog bites on the leg. George iii period oak joint stool sturmans antiques ltd. Alterations, chips or cracks may diminish value by 50% or more. 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.
This is the process of applying a solvent to smooth out the damaged finish. It is a particularly interesting joint to us at furnish green because we dont see it very often, and theres a reason for that. Antique period country oak joint stool eras of style. I was prompted to seek its info, when someone wrongly dated a chest as charles ii, when it was obviously post 1700. Until the midseventeenthcentury, drawer sides were normally nailed into rebates cut in the ends of the drawer fronts figure 1. Our problem is warping and cracking along the glue lines. 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. I can date it because of the joints, but what i dont know is where it was made. 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. 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. 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. Here are four popular joints that could crack over time.
Ive seen plenty of cracked up american made furniture as well as chinese imports. By jill m, 2 years ago on identify antique furniture. Drawers made between the 1860s and the early 1900s may use the knapp joint instead of the dovetail joint. Invaluable is the worlds largest marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles.
Front of drawers have carved out floral decoration. They are put together using the pin and dovetail joint connection and when i. To enquire about this antique simply fill in the form below and well send your enquiry on to mcbains of exeter. It could be a reproduction or you might have a partial original with newer additions. Therefore, authentic antique furniture can be discerned by inspecting for evidence of. Here are a few quick tips on how to repair damaged furniture, and fixing it back to proper health. 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. Dovetails a clue for dating antiques the harp gallery.
Learn how to repair joints and stop small structural problems from becoming big ones. The history of the coveandpin joint finewoodworking. Knapp had worked on the idea of machinemade drawer joints. Fred taylor archives page 6 of 10 liveauctioneers auction. 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. Tenon joints are pegs of wood driven through two pieces to cement them together. Joinery is a part of woodworking that involves joining together pieces of wood or lumber. Whether its a recent acquisition that got damaged, or antique furniture you want to restore, we have you covered.
In some situations, the removal of cracking and crazing can devalue the furniture. A drawer is a fairly difficult thing to build when you get right down to it. Unfortunately, bubble collapse as the source of joint cracking is inconsistent with many physical. 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. Its the experience of the maker, not the ethnicity of the maker. Antique furniture is one of the most faked types of items. In many instances, a crack that doesnt occur at a joint can be repaired readily by cleaning, gluing, and clamping, too. Mr knapp would later patent his design in 1867, leading the way for factories to start mass producing drawers using his machinery. Pick from irish tables, french tables, shaker tables, tavern tables and primitive tables. Caring for antique wooden furniture protect your valuable. Dovetails a clue for dating antiques ezinearticles. Antique walnut dresser with knapp joint drawers ebth. Antique furniture restoration how to fill and hide. How to keep antique furniture from drying out home.
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. Repairing splits in older furniture the new york times. I have read thru many threads on this site and noticed these drawers look to have the knapp joints. They are put together using the pin and dovetail joint connection and when i pull the drawer out sometimes the. Caring for your antique furniture tips on cleaning. This type of joint was developed by a mr charles knapp of waterloo wisconsin, during the 1860s.
Michael varese restores antique furniture for dealers and collectors. During your spring cleaning, dont forget to think about your antiques. I inherited some antiquevintage furniture from my greatgrandmother. May 27, 2010 i inherited some antique vintage furniture from my greatgrandmother.
By lisa, 4 years ago on identify antique furniture. 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. Dovetailing is an excellent way to estimate the age of a piece of antique furniture. Our rustic tables have a lowsheen handplaned finish that begs to be felt and seen. 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.
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. Heres why joints crack and pop, and what it really means for. Recognizing age and construction in antique furniture. I was just trying to figure out how to fill the cracks and saw your tip. 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. 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. Can someone tell me what type of wood this is and its current value. There are far too many idiots in the antique trade. 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. As the dovetail joint evolved through the last one hundred thirty years, it becomes a clue for the age and authenticity of antique furniture.
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. This washstand features a single drawer above two additional drawers to the left and a cabinet area to the right. May 07, 2014 in order to make furniture more cheaply, those less virtuous and skilled needed another method of joining wood. Recognizing different kinds of furniture joints can help you determine the quality of antique furniture. Antique furniture restoration how to fill and hide imperfections. As an amazon associate i earn from qualifying purchases.
Quite often, cracks in old furniture arise from failed glue joints. I own a small furniture manufacturing plant that specializes in pine bedroom furniture. In fact it is probably the best collection of american antique furniture south of williamsburg. So now you know that a piece of furniture with those odd little drawer joints was made between 1871 and 1900 without a doubt. It makes a nice change to see that someone knows what it is all about. While it came to be known as the knapp joint, the joint is also variously described by its appearance. A perfect choice for restorations, its also a wonderful addition to your kitchen or bath cabinets.
Chinese antique furniture joinery classic chinese furniture is unique for many reasons, including its exquisite carvings, rare woods and joinery. It is a five sided box that must fit perfectly with. A crossgrain joint is a joint where wood is attached perpendicular to each other. How to repair vintage furniture pin and dovetail joint. 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. Woodworking cabinets sawdust girl woodworking machines ideas. Petticoat junktion is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program. Im not the owner, this is a piece im considering buying. 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. When a piece absorbs moisture, it may swell, and when it dries, it will contract, cracking and dislodging glue, veneers and joints. Dovetail joints often hold two boards together in a box or drawer, almost like interlocking the fingertips of your hands. Heres why joints crack and pop, and what it really means for your poor old body.
Gorgeous transfer has been added to the top, fully functioning drawer and lots of little cubby holes. Chair joints furniture making furniture making blog. Antique furniture joints determine the quality of your antique furniture. Antique furniture joinery the antique warehouse blog. Joinery is a part of woodworking that involves joining together pieces of wood or lumber, to produce more complex items. How to make these alternative dovetail joints the knapp joint duration. Repairing these becomes a matter of cleaning out loose fibers and old glue, fitting the parts, and gluing them back together.
Reproduced in stamped and wrought brass with our living antique finish. A pretty antique walnut wood dresser featuring grooved edges and three drawers with knapp joint construction. Over the years it was used by my younger brothers and is now destroyed. 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. Gk is supported by the canada research chairs program. This beautiful antique desk has been refinished in miss mustard seed milk paint arabesque. Antique furniture mortise and tenon joining antqrestoration. Feb 18, 20 i lectured on the subject of antiques from 76 till 95 and i am glad to have read this page. 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. Harriet chavasse of thakeham furniture explores the importance of dovetail joints in the evolution of furniture throughout the ages and offers advice on. Mar 31, 2020 top back rail joints are illustrated in 466. 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. Because the refinishing process is done with meticulous care, and with the goal of bringing out the objects inherent character, the craftsman. How to keep antique furniture from drying out home guides sf.
The dovetail joint, got its name because of its similarity to the. 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. In order to make furniture more cheaply, those less virtuous and skilled needed another method of joining wood. Sep 21, 2018 what is a dovetail joint on antique furniture. Check the drawers for the first sign of age on antique. 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.
Learn more about caring for antique furniture in this video. Can you please confirm the era, wood, and what current resale value would be. Knapp joint dresser antique appraisal instappraisal. In damp conditions, tannic acid in the oak would accelerate. Mistakes with wood can cause your diy furniture to crack. Loose joints on wooden furniture can cause longterm damage to the rest of the frame by increasing stress on other joints. Some wood joints employ fasteners, bindings, or adhesives, while others use only wood elements. Im old schoolcannot understand how someone can buy a used cartool furniture without being able to do at least an eyes on inspection. Im talking about the nasty chip that came off the arm of the chai. Nov 29, 20 how to repair a broken chair arm is easy. The characteristics of wooden joints strength, flexibility, toughness, appearance, etc. This elegant 1 58inch beaded knob design was popular on sheraton style furniture of the federal period.
Realtime visualization of joint cavitation ncbi nih. How to repair antique furniture joints petticoat junktion. Fancy a joint innovative joinery in new furniture design. Tom johnson of thomas johnson antique furniture restoration in gorham, maine performs several repairs on an antique bowfront chest of drawers that had. I know the dresser was manufactured between 1871 and 1900 but its the stamp on the back that i cant place.
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