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Page 8 The Antique Shoppe March, 2020
The most common woods of the style were crotch mahogany veneer
Questions & on the drawer fronts with solid cherry tops and sides. The style was made
all over the country but mostly in the East. Today it is quite popular in
the South but less so in the mid West and in the West and is generally
Common Sense Answers disdained in New England. Joseph T. Butler’s book “Field Guide to American
Antique Furniture”, published by Henry Holt, has an excellent section on the
with Fred Taylor period. I also have written about Late Classicism in my syndicated column
“Common Sense Antiques.” (#105 “Not Empire?- What Is It Then?”). I will
be happy to email that article to any reader requesting it.

Fred - I am wondering if you can shed some light on an antique I read an article you wrote about beds so maybe you can help
Q. sideboard. It is believed to be approximately 100 years old. It was Q. me. Currently I am seeking bed bolts for a bed that has only the
purchased from a castle in Scotland. If possible can you give an estimate on markings VIII carved on all boards and inked on the footboard. The bed has
the date, wood, and history? Thank you for your assistance. Kind Regards, six bolts, two for the foot board and four for the headboard. From your
Donna B. article I am a little frightened as the side rails sounds pretty much how you
Donna – Your very nicely done sideboard is in the English version of describe the “Empire Style” with the cut out in the side rail for the bolts and
A.Arts and Crafts from the late 19th and early 20th century. The tiles the nuts being embedded in the headboard and the foot boards. They do
in the doors are a very tasteful addition and speak to the overall quality of not show from the front. The
the piece. The Arts and Crafts bed is part of a set that seems
movement actually began in to have ornate carvings of
England under the leadership angels on all pieces (armoire,
of John Ruskin in the 1860s. He bed, marble topped chest of
was joined by William Morris drawers with mirror (has birds
(of Morris chair fame) and and angels on top) and two
later by Charles Locke East. In nightstands with marble tops.
fact your sideboard has many All pieces at some point were
individual elements frequently on castors except the two night
associated with later Eastlake stands. All advice on the type
styling such as the spindle of bed and a solution to the
gallery and the linear incised bed pins situation would be
carving. The movement came appreciated greatly. Sincerely,
to America around the turn of Hughes L
the century in part due to the Hughes – It sounds
efforts of John Larkin’s (Larkin A. like your bedroom set
Soap Company) brother in law could be European - French
Elbert (“Bert”) G. Hubbard or Italian. Many of those
who founded the Roycroft elaborately carved sets made
communities in New York. in the first half of the 20th
Hubbard died on the luxury century often used bed bolts
liner Lusitania in 1915. Your like American craftsmen did in
sideboard appears to be made the 18th and 19th century. On
of English yew. It probably the other hand it could be a
was made in an individual or The English Arts and Crafts sideboard, probably made of yew and showing an Renaissance Revival style bed
small local shop rather than Eastlake influence, was constructed shortly after the turn of the century. that has a similar arrangement
in a factory as was so much of for the bed bolts although you
American Arts and Crafts. The don’t see many Renaissance beds with angels and birds. If you can send me
Arts and Crafts market is very strong right now. You might want to get an some photos of the set I may be able to identify it for you. Send photos as
informal appraisal from a local dealer or auctioneer just to have an idea of .jpg files.
current value in your area. Thanks for writing and thanks for the photo.
If you do a Google search on “bed bolts” you will find a number of places
We just got a big heavy cherry dresser in with huge attached that can supply them. However, the implanted nuts in your set may be
Q. empire rolls for the front legs, all original, about 1850 or 1860 I metric. You need to try an assortment of regular bolts screwed into the
would guess. What was their theory on this style? When I see cherry I figure implanted nuts just to determine the size and thread type (SAE or metric).
it was made locally but am surprised a local would make this extreme style. You may even be able to use seven inch bolts from the hardware store
I don’t care for the style but its good for my Southern buyers. Whenever if you find some that work. I look forward to seeing photos of your set.
I get one of these I wish it had a nice turned front column instead. What Thanks for writing.
were they thinking? Ann, www.greenoakantiques.com
Ann - That style is typically - and erroneously - called Empire. Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423 or
A. Actually Empire was much earlier in the century, 1820-1830, and email them to me at info@furnituredetective.com
was the second phase of American Classicism. The first was American Visit Fred’s website at www.furnituredetective.com and check out the downloadable
Neo-Classical, 1810ish. Then came Empire, then came the third phase, Late “Common Sense Antiques” columns in .pdf format. His book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE
Classicism which is based on the French Restauration style. That’s where DETECTIVE” is now available for $18.95 plus $3.00 shipping. Send check or money order for
$21.95 to Fred Taylor, PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423
the big curves come from. The dominant force in the style of Late Classicism Fred and Gail Taylor’s DVD, “IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE”, ($17.00 +
was the introduction of the band saw which allowed the quick shaping of $3.00 S&H) are also available at the same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377
the sweeping cyma curves that distinguish the style. J & JW Meeks of New (9AM-4PM Eastern, M-F only), fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com.
York and New Orleans were masters of the style and it was featured in their All items are also available directly from the website, www.furnituredetective.com
1837 broadside ad.