What Sells Online: Antique Furniture

The definition of “antique” varies from person to person, but many collectors and dealers use it to designate furniture that is at least 100 years old. Buyers of old furniture acquire it for a variety of reasons—some collect pieces made by specific designers; others are looking for unusual items to furnish their homes.

In general, everyday furniture sells best through an online Classifieds site such as craigslist. Antique furniture, on the other hand, can also be sold through an online marketplace such as eBay, a popular source for historians, collectors and design enthusiasts alike.

The range of antique furniture offered for sale online is incredibly varied. Some of the most collected styles include:

• Gothic: heavily ornamented with trefoils and pointed arches
• Early American and Colonial: featuring turned wood and padded or caned chair seats
• Louis XIV: elaborate, oversized pieces often painted white with gilt trim and marquetry inlays
• Neo-classical: featuring graceful designs by renowned designers Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Sheraton and Duncan Phyfe
• Shaker: characterized by straight tapered legs, woven square chair seats and mushroom-shaped wooden knobs
• Victorian: featuring heavy proportions, dark finishes and elaborate carvings and ornamentation (often recalling earlier Gothic styles)
• Arts & Crafts and Mission: substantial furniture often made of oak with strong horizontal and vertical lines

Two excellent books that will help you identify different types of furniture are The Encyclopedia of Furniture by Joseph Aronson and The Bulfinch Anatomy of Antique Furniture by Tim Forrest and Paul Atterbury. These will help you determine not only the style but also the age and types of wood (and other materials) used in creating each piece.

Antique furniture is rarely in perfect, like-new condition. Even if a chair or table wasn’t subjected to decades of daily use, it might not have been stored properly resulting in damage due to excessive heat, moisture, bugs or mold. Fortunately, many older furniture pieces were constructed with excellent materials and craftsmanship, and are therefore able to withstand the ravages of time and Grandma’s basement.

Inspect antique furniture carefully:

• Look at the back and undersides (you may find the maker’s name hidden here; if so, be sure to include a photo in your listing)
• Open doors and remove all drawers so that you can look at every side
• Gently press seat cushions to test stuffing and springs
• Insert and remove leaves from tables
• Test all other moving parts

In your listing, describe and take photos of all damage, including:

• Scuffs, scratches and gouges
• Faded, worn or ripped upholstery
• Chipped, cracked or broken glass in cabinet doors
• Missing handles and door pulls
• Rusted or broken hinges
• Warped, cracked or split wood
• Uneven or wobbly legs
• Damage from water, alcohol, wax and other substances

Faded paint, dirt and worn finishes aren’t necessarily negatives; original finishes are often prized by collectors, so don’t have the item cleaned and refinished before selling it. You can remove dust with a soft cloth but don’t use polish, oil or wax; let the buyer worry about that.

Keep antique furniture in a well-ventilated room, away from children, pets, smoke and cooking odors. Don’t place an item in direct sunlight; cover it with a sheet or better yet, keep the windows covered. Don’t place items next to heating vents or air conditioners either, since temperature/humidity changes can cause damage.

Large furniture may require expensive shipping; before you accept an item for sale, determine how you will ship it (to be picked up locally, shipped by freight or another method). Estimate the shipping total and include the amount in your listing. Also, measure the item and make sure you can fit it into your vehicle and through your front door.

Some furniture pieces can be easily disassembled. If you take an item apart, be sure to label the parts clearly so that you can easily reassemble the piece. Store fasteners and other small parts in Ziplock bags and label the bags with a permanent marker. Be extremely careful when using tape on furniture; blue painter’s tape is easily removable but can damage the finish.