Antiques & Collecting: 19th-century furniture

Sometimes, people like to think of the past as a steady, stable time where tradition ruled the day. Ironically, learning about antiques can prove that notion wrong; and some of the best lessons can come from 19th-century furniture.

Technological advances made complicated furniture designs more accessible, and the growing nouveau riche meant more customers in need of furniture, often with more extravagant tastes.

The Merklen Brothers of New York, active between the 1880s and 1900, were among the furniture makers taking advantage of new tools and catering to new tastes.

The chair pictured here, with twisted posts, a lattice back and a pair of brass finials shaped like storks’ heads, is an example of their work. It sold for $409 at Forsythe’s Auctions LLC.

Unusual shapes, barley twists and figural brass fittings make Merklen Brothers furniture unique. An identification tip: Furniture feet in the form of a carved wood claw clutching a glass ball were popular at the time.

Merklen Brothers, however, made their ball-and-claw feet with a wooden ball, as seen on this chair.

My father received a picture, possibly in the 1950s, that I am trying to identify. It looks like it is signed in pencil, but I can’t make out the signature.

Based on the signature, it sounds like your picture is a print. If it has any publisher or copyright information, that can help you with identification.

Usually, the best way to identify a picture is to contact an art museum. Some large art museums have events where the public can have artworks authenticated and learn more about them.

If there is a college or university with a fine arts department in your area, they may also be able to help. You can also check your library for access to online art databases or printed artist directories.

Tip: Lick a cotton swab and use it to remove dirt from small carvings on furniture. Saliva has enzymes that help dissolve the dirt.

Current Prices

Toy, horse, riding, metal, molded mane and tail, painted, white, red saddle, plastic reins, hanging footrest, wheels, Mobo, 30 1/2 x 28 inches, $50.

Leather, toiletry case, latch closure, top handle, glass bottles, retailer’s mark, Mitsukoshi Gofukuten, Tokyo, Japan, $65.

Stoneware, churn, cobalt blue feathers, applied arch handles, stenciled, capacity mark, salt glaze, slip glaze interior, wood dasher, Hamilton & Jones, Greensboro, Pennsylvania, base 17 inches, $810.

Photography, advertisement, Mr. Beard, Daguerreotype or Photographic Portraiter, color, posterboard, London, 12 x 9 1/2 inches, $1,950.