Friday, 17 June 2011

Can Antique Furniture Reproductions Be Genuine



Why would anyone buy antique furniture reproductions? If the styles and construction from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries are extremely appealing, why don't you just purchase the genuine antique?

After all, so what can match up against the wonderful a feeling of background and romance conjured with a genuine antique? What ardent seventeenth century lovers might have stolen a kiss on that Louis XIV loveseat, what secret missive might have been composed atop that delicate marquetry writing desk? Undoubtedly, antiques come with an undeniable cachet.

All which again begs the question: why don't you purchase the original? And frankly, like a dealer that has collected, sold and loved antiques for almost all of my entire life, I'd be hard-pressed to locate a reason to not. Except.

Since the turn from the 20th century, truly fine antiques have grown to be increasingly difficult to get, and, consequently, increasingly expensive. Antiques having become something of the craze throughout the 1980s, old barns and attics, when the supply of many a wonderful find, have long since been mined of the treasures. Oh, obviously, antiques were constructed to last, to ensure that isn't to express they no more exist. But now, that sturdily comforting Country French table, that elegant Louis XV banquette, that incredible Malouine parquetry armoire that you simply so covet has already been living happily ever after in another person's home. Or on offer at a cost so exorbitant it requires your breath away.

And that, the bottom line is, may be the response to "Why buy reproduction furniture? " But, since genuine antiques will invariably hold a unique devote my heart (actually, once the opportunity arises, I still collect the sporadic piece), I'm something of the snob with regards to reproductions. Actually, for me, as surely because there is really anything like a "genuine antique, " there's also a "genuine reproduction. " That's, I don't think about a bit of mass-manufactured furniture that's simply produced in the design and style of the antique to become qualified as an authentic reproduction, anymore than I'd think about a paint-by-numbers copy from the Mona Lisa to become a thing of beauty.

And, again for me, both genuine antiques and genuine reproductions are pieces of art. Both are hand-crafted by skilled artisans using centuries-old techniques and designs as timeless as - well, as the Mona Lisa herself.

On the purely practical side, reproductions are created to last and, due to the quality of design, materials and construction, they'll most likely get to be the antiques of tomorrow. Also, they permit you to definitely have, in your house, that very special desk or chair or buffet you have observed in your mind's eye (or perhaps in your friend's family room ), but you could not otherwise buy at any price.

And if you discover the word "reproduction" as limiting when i do, simply call these fine hand-crafted pieces the things they really are: new antiques.

.

No comments:

Post a Comment