What Antique Furniture Dealers Can Offer You
Antique furniture dealers are individuals or companies who specialize in furniture from time periods from long ago. There are certainly plenty of them to choose from. You may find after visiting a few antique furniture centers in your area that different dealers have different specialties. For example, one may specialize in English antique furniture, while another might specialize in French antique furniture. You might find a dealer who has expertise in a variety of areas. Here is a brief rundown of some, although not all, of the popular time periods often prized by antique collectors.
Louis XIV, known as the Sun King era, was one that spanned from 1643-1715 and featured large, heavy pieces resplendent with opulent adornment. After that came the well-known Baroque period, which also featured heavy, large pieces mostly done in dark woods with carved adornments. In the New World was the Commonwealth style, which was characterized by simple design and function over form. Early Colonial soon followed in this area of the world as some settlers began to attain wealth. Early Colonial pieces in America featured more intricate designs such as beautifully carved chests and chairs.
Back in Europe, there was plenty of interesting furniture being designed. During the Queen Anne period there were feminine shapes and delicate lines, as well as top quality craftsmanship. This era rivals the Chippendale time as the finest for cabinet making. Speaking of the Chippendale era, this was a time that replaced the womanly look of the Queen Anne area with more masculine lines. Thomas Chippendale was a cabinet designer who gained fame and notoriety with his cabinets and other furniture pieces.
There are plenty more time periods to choose from, with names like American Federal, Biedermeier, and Art Nouveau — to name a few. If you have a preference, you may want to use the Internet to find antique furniture dealers that specialize in your preferred time period. If you’re not sure what you like, visit some antique furniture centers to check out a variety of different pieces. You will often find you are drawn to a particular piece or a particular time period. Follow your instincts, because as any seasoned collector can tell you, the acquiring of antiques is often a personal passion that should resonate with your own personal style.
