Antique Chair or Repro? How to tell the difference?

[@elliegreen4738]

I knew immediately that it's an antique but thought that the wooden seat might have been redone because it looks newer. I don't like it though because it looks uncomfortable and as if it came from a strict household. Lots of athmosphere about it. I prefer furniture made from beech and Ash, blonde and white wood lifts my heart to look at it.

[@johnbuston1732]

Another informative piece, cheers David 👍

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Thanks 👍 John, Cheers D

[@AlisonLWiebe]

Really informative, and interesting as always. Thanks!

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronmellor5951]

Another great post David, the chair I believe to be from the aesthetic design period so 1870’ish maybe late 1880’s.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

You are correct!

[@tammy707]

Beautiful chair! I have a massive piece of furniture, a cabinet of some sort and I'm trying to find out if it's antique or not. I'm going to have to check out more of your videos.

[@citywise8773]

Tell you what, I prefer that mahogany chest on chest behind you! Lovely blind fretwork. Not sure about the handles and escutcheons, but a nice thing

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

It’s a good looker isn’t it

[@mickfromaustralia902]

Some get it, some don't. I love it.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

I’m with you !

[@OriginalNethead]

The antique hall chair had to be real. No one in their right minds would make something that uncomfortable now. (LOL) Even wooden school chairs weren't meant to keep visitors from lingering. A split in a one board seat is definiltely a good sign of age; a multi-board seat is a sign of post-WWII department store furniture.

[@asahearts1]

Coumterpoint: no one is in their right mind anymore.

[@eodnhoj8387]

it looks to me like the legs have been cut down.

[@asahearts1]

@@eodnhoj8387 He said they had small casters which were removed.

[@eodnhoj8387]

@@asahearts1 removing the casters has ruined the aesthetics of the chair...chairs like this are so cheap to buy complete with casters...it makes me wonder why an expert and connoisseur of david's standing would give it houseroom.

[@ronmellor5951]

Being cut down was my first thought as well. The casters were meant to allow the chairs to be tilted and moved into place. Often the front legs would split at the caster holes. I bet that’s what happened here.

[@lucamotor4195]

I have to disagree about one observation...the holes on the bottom of the front legs are from the spigot of the lathe they were turned on. No castors on a chair such as that. Great little video though thanks sam

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

Thanks Sam and I can see what you're saying and it would make sense. However, this design of chair had small castors on the front legs for ease of movement. I’ve had many of the years. Cheers, David

[@lucamotor4195]

@@DavidHarperAntiques Very good and a surprise to me!

[@taavitimberg2867]

If it had castors, the front legs shoud be shorter than rear legs.

[@michaelarmstrong9617]

If you have to flip over a chair to see if it is an original or "dreadful, horrible" reproduction, then it must not be that dreadful or horrible of a reproduction! Also, seats are often newer on old chairs as they wear and are subject to design or color whims over 125 years.

[@DavidHarperAntiques]

I wouldn’t need to flip the chair over because of years of experience. I’m showing tips to those that have never done it before!

[@wystan1000]

At first glance, I thought, "it's not antique, it's Victorian!" Well, you know what I mean...