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September, 2018 The Antique Shoppe Page 23
Questions & I would guess. What was their theory on this style? When I see cherry I figure
it was made locally but am surprised a local would make this extreme style.
I don’t care for the style but its good to my Southern buyers. Whenever I get
Common Sense Answers one of these I wish it had a nice turned front column instead. What were they
thinking? Ann, www.greenoakantiques.com
Ann - That style is typically and erroneously called Empire. Actually
with Fred Taylor A. Empire was much earlier in the century, 1820-1830, and was the second
phase of American Classicism. The first was American Neo-Classical, 1810ish.
Then came Empire, then came the third phase, Late Classicism which is based
Fred - I have always found your articles to be both informative and on the French Restauration style.
Q. enjoyable to read. I’d like to ask you a couple of questions which you The dominant force in the style of Late Classicism was the introduction of
may well have previously answered in other articles. If so I am sorry I missed the band saw which allowed the quick shaping of the sweeping cyma curves
them. that distinguish the style. J & JW Meeks of New York and New Orleans were
The first question deals with a model 1800s walnut pie safe. I live in East masters of the style and it was featured in their 1837 broadside ad. The most
Tennessee and the pie safe is a locally made piece. I like common woods of the style were crotch mahogany
original finish and the cabinet is original and in good veneer on the drawer fronts with solid cherry tops
condition. The tins (8) had white paint on them. The and sides. The style was made all over the country
paint seems to be a late addition and 60-70 percent but mostly in the East. Today it is quite popular in the
has flaked off. I don’t think the paint would be milk South but less so in the mid West and in the West and
paint but maybe a later latex because it comes off fairly is generally disdained in New England.
easily. Joseph Butler’s excellent book “Field Guide to
My problem is as the paint is removed, the tin has American Antique Furniture”, published by Henry Holt,
a very uneven blotch-like appearance. I’ve taken some has some good information on this period and style.
0000 steel wool and mineral oil to try to even it out
with no luck. My question is what could I use to get a Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal
River, FL 34423 or email them to me at info@furnituredetective.com
more uniform look on the tins and what (if anything) to Visit Fred’s website at www.furnituredetective.com and check out the
seal the tins after cleaning? downloadable “Common Sense Antiques” columns in .pdf format. His book
Also is there any advice for helping to remove the “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE” is now available for $18.95 plus
paint from the tins in and around the small holes (the $3.00 shipping. Send check or money order for $21.95 to Fred Taylor, PO
Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423
holes are punched from the inside)? I even considered Fred and Gail Taylor’s DVD, “IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE
removing the tins and reinstalling them inside out since This style chest is correctly known FURNITURE”, ($17.00 + $3.00 S&H) are also available at the same address.
the insides of the tins are smooth and in very good as “Late classicism.” For more information call (800) 387-6377 (9AM-4PM Eastern, M-F only),
fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com. All items are also
condition. The drawback would be the damage to the available directly from the website, www.furnituredetective.com
doors and case removing the tins and staying with the
original finish. CRESCENT CITY PALATKA
My second question is in regard to insect damage. I have a blanket chest
with some type of boring insect damage (maybe powder post beetle). I think COUNTRY
the damage is old but I don’t want to take a chance of further infestation. Could Finders Keepers
you recommend a product for that type of insect damage? Thank you for any ANTIQUES MALL of Palatka
assistance you could give me. Joe W. 193 Highway 17 South
2167-1 S. US Hwy 17
East Palatka, FL 32131
Joe - Thank you for your kind words about my columns. The pie safe can Crescent City, FL 904-476-1038 • 386-972-4452
A. be a real problem. I would definitely remove the tins from the cabinet 386-698-0844 Mon–Sat 10am-6pm (Wed 10am -5pm)
to do any work on them. Anything you do to them while they are in place will Antiques Credit Cards Accepted
be temporary at best. You should be able to preserve most of the old wood Collectibles Consignments
and finish if you work carefully to remove the tins. Since the tins have already Unique Items Layaway
been dramatically altered by painting them and you plan to alter them again, China & Crystal
Furniture & Household Items
the integrity of the original finish, especially on the inside of the cabinet, while Items for the Entire Family
desirable, is not mandatory for the value of the piece. Rental Space Local Artist Accepting Orders For
After removing the tins, strip them with a semi-paste stripper that will stay 10 x 10 = $125 Mo Old Feed ‘n Seed Store Charcoal Portraits For Both Family
Adjacent to
on the tins and be active long enough to penetrate into the punched holes. It Crescent City High School Members &/or Pets
may take several days to accomplish this. Then rinse the tins well with lacquer 46 Teressa & Jim Maskell, Owners 24
thinner or denatured alcohol. I don’t know how to overcome the “blotch”
problem on the tin. It may be part of the metal itself. If you wish to coat the tin GAINESVILLE AREA DEALERS
to prevent rust try a thin solution of shellac which should not be too shiny but
I don’t know how long this will last. Reinstall the tins and touch up the work The PainTed Table Liquidation of Antiques
area. & Contents of homes
As for the insect problem, there is no single product that I know of that Tastefully Recycled Since 2001
will permanently remove an active infestation. I have tried all the local folk Affordably Priced Camellia antiques
remedies including tenting a piece with plastic and saturating it with bug Unique Pieces of Quality & Estate Sales, llc
spray, leaving it exposed to a bowl of ammonia in an enclosed space like with Thornebrook Village
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and dousing the piece with kerosene and letting it air dry. They all work about Gainesville, FL 32606 EARLETON, FL
Beside the Post Office.
the same - not at all. The only cure I have ever found is to put the piece into a OPEN: FRIDAYS & SUNDAYS
vault at the local exterminators and have it gassed with the stuff they use to kill (352) 371-1555 or By appointment/ChanCe
termites. The chemical is called vikane (sulfuryl fluoride). It is very dangerous Buy • Sell • Consign Call For Your Estate Sale Needs
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Farmers Market
Hello Fred - We just got a big heavy cherry dresser in with huge Every Friday 4-7PM Camille Huie - hoch21@windstream.net
Q. attached Empire rolls for the front legs, all original - about 1850 or 1860 30 31