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Learning About Early Parlor Side Tables Duncan Phyfe and certain other furniture makers were so popular
Before You Shop that their works have been copied many times over. Therefore, you need
to have eagle eyes when searching for originals. Some things to look for
When shopping for when inspecting a parlor side table include wood used, construction
antique side tables for methods, and general condition. Certain woods come from specific
your parlor, it is impor- regions, allowing you to pinpoint the likely place a side table was made.
tant to know its traits As for the construction method, some tools were not available, or at least
so you can learn to spot not commonly used during some periods. For example, square-headed
reproductions easier. nails were used in the 1880s and earlier. Thus, their presence could
The traits can also indicate a side table is an original, not a reproduction. Certain saw marks
teach a lot about where and uneven dovetail marks on the insides of side tables that have drawers
your antique side tables can also be clear signs of age.
originated.
In many instances,
furniture makers either Modern Side Tables
did not mark their early For those seeking a more modern approach to
Arts and pieces or the markings side tables in their living room, Mid-Century
Crafts era Modern is certainly one way to go. Makers to look for
Stickley Side used cannot be traced include Haywood Wakefield, Eames, and the style-
Table back to certain makers,
but knowing makers’ setting Danish imports. And while your
signature styles helps. “parlor” may today be a
Even if you find a parlor side table you like with no markings or more relaxed
markings you cannot interpret, the style of the piece can say a lot about living room,
when and where it was made. For example, Irish side tables and British having a pair
side tables often seem similar at a glance. However, paw feet and elon- of stylish mid-
gated C scrolls on the legs were much more common in Ireland than in century “silent” side
Britain in the mid-1700s. Every region and period had certain popular tables certainly
furniture making styles. Familiarizing yourself with those can help you makes a statement
to more easily date many types of furniture, not just parlor side tables. when having guests over.

Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance writer specializing in writing short articles for 15 years. She is also an avid collector of both antique books and Star Wars memorabilia. Although she is not
in the antiques industry professionally, she has learned a lot about antiques over the years by periodically helping out at her mom’s antiques shop in Greenville, NH. She currently balances
maintaining the antiques shop’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MallofNE, and working on various freelance writing assignments. She can be reached at dementorskiss77@yahoo.com.

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Chippendale pieces, Dutch chairs, • He authored twenty+ books,
Windsor chairs, settles, and braided rugs including the 3-volume Furniture
for most rooms. The Webb House was Treasury which is still widely recognized
the southern-most house in the chain. as the most comprehensive book ever
Wentworth-Gardner House (56 published on early American furniture.
Gardner St., Portsmouth NH): Built in • He reproduced the finest
1760, this house represented the per- reproduction early American Furniture
fect Georgian style home at the peak of of the entire 20th century.
the colonial period. Located on the • The Wallace Nutting Collectors
Piscataqua River across from Kittery, Club is still around, nearly fifty years
Maine, the front door opened into pos- after its founding.
sibly the finest colonial hall of the peri- So, was Wallace Nutting successful?
od. The home included ten rooms, His fans loved his work. His critics
four fireplaces, with a North and South could always find fault with it. But
parlor. Furniture included Gothic more than 75 years after his death,
Chippendale chairs, triple-back settee, we’re still talking about him … and his
pie crust table, a corner cupboard, gate- accomplishments. So I would say
leg table, as well as some interesting “Yes,” he did a great job of preserving
china. The floors were adorned with Colonial America for future genera-
both hooked and braided rugs, along At the Cutler-Bartlett House,Very Satisfactory tions. Thank you, Dr. Nutting.
with several Oriental rugs. Today’s Wallace Nutting Picture
Cutler-Bartlett House (32 Green St., Newburyport, MA): Built in Values: And what about the value of Wallace Nutting pictures today?
1782, this represents both the latest and largest house in the chain. Like many other areas of antiques & collectibles, there probably hasn’t
Furniture included mostly Hepplewhite and Sheraton, with been a better time to buy in the past twenty-five years. As collectors my
Hepplewhite chairs, a Sheraton dining table, corner cupboard, card age begin downsizing our collections, our children don’t seem to want
tables, Dutch serving table, and of course Windsor chairs. as many as we did. Rarities can still cost $500-$1,000 and more.
Financial success with the chain proved elusive, and by 1920 the Common pictures can usually be had for less than $100.
final house had been sold. Although Nutting had closed his entire My advice is the same as it’s always been: Buy the best that you can
Colonial Chain, he continued taking his colonial photographs in the afford, don’t overpay, avoid damaged pictures, and buy them because
homes of dozens of friends and acquaintances. you like them, not for investment

What Spells Success? Mike Ivankovich is the country’s leading authority on Wallace Nutting
Was Wallace Nutting successful in his quest to preserve Colonial and is the host of the What’s It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser Radio
American Parlor Life for future generations? Consider this. Show in Philadelphia. He can be reached at 215-264-4304 or by email
• He sold millions of his hand-colored photographs. at info@Michaelivankovich.com

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