Wood identification help - antique stool

[Rob_H]

Probably just the photograph - there's lots of wear and tear on them and the bottom - alway essential checking when buying antique stools/chairs, are very well worn. There's no doubt it is a genuine period piece - and I think ash might be a good bet. I've got to get a second opinion from an auctioneer friend later in the week so I'll keep you posted. I know styles can be copied but aging can't - no matter how well it's done, a piece of furniture that's made to look old never quite looks the part. The stool has a nice patina, and that can't be faked.

 

[Ironballs]

It's not my thing but I reckon pitch pine has got to be in with a shout, it's heavier than you think, readily available and the wear between the growth rings is just like in a softwood. Plus look at those wide flat rings on the seat, looks like pine to me

 

[BradNaylor]

What Ebay has done for the world of antiques is terrific; it has democratised the whole process.

Previously, if you sold a piece to a dealer he would give you say £100 and then offer it for sale at £200. So what is the value?

Now, everyone knows that the value is £100 or thereabouts and the dealer is squeezed out.

This is good. Any market exists to facilitate the sale of goods from one person to another; not to benefit the middle-man. Any argument against this is an argument in favour of a rigged market. Surely no-one is seriously suggesting that the public should be kept in ignorance in order to keep prices artificially high...

 

[GrahamH]

The tops a softwood, probably pitch pine as others have said. I can't tell with the legs though probably the same.

Used to be in the "antique" trade back in the late eighties/early nineties and remember building various pieces. They were always sold as an "antique pine table" etc..., so yes it was antique pine and it was a table. The other popular hack was to turn a chest of drawers into a bureau to double or treble its price.

Most of the dealers/restorers were knocking stuff like this out by the volvo estate full. There is or was a fiber mop thing that was used to raise the grain and give a full antique finish.

 

[head clansman]

hi

it's a piece of pine, and someone has used boot polish to get that old worn effect on it and sold it on as an antique probable just come off a boat from china or should i say junk. hc :lol:

 

[Rob_H]

Thanks for the help - Two auctioneers from a well known auction house checked the stool over. Elm with ash legs - and put at 18th Century. It has lost some of the elm characteristics due to wear but i was much clear when they checked underneath. They liked the piece and it's going for sale

 

[Grinding One]

You can sometimes date a piece by looking at the growth rings and wear on the piece.