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I wanted to share my recent Chinese furniture purchase, but rather than just posting pics, I thought it might be fun and educational to discuss how to decide whether to buy, or not.
I make my fair share of bad buys, so don’t assume anything about my purchase based upon what you know about me. Let’s focus on the item, in this case a pair of Chinese chairs.
So, I’m going to post photos of just one chair (I’ll explain why a bit later once I hear some responses), and I’ll provide the same info I received from the seller.
I’m curious to learn what details in the photos and info from the seller YOU find important to your decision making, and whether or not you’d buy or pass.
After some discussion, I’ll give my thoughts… let’s see how close we are in our processes.
Here goes….
The seller is an auctioneer that sells on LiveAuctioneer.com and has some knowledge of Asian antiques. In the past month, he opened a retail store to sell unsold or uncollected auction items.
The pair of chairs were labeled “Pr. 19th c. Zitan chairs $1,200”.
The seller made a point to reiterate that he believed the chairs were zitan, then offered them to me for $500.
I inspected both chairs in bright sunlight. They were surprisingly heavy.
So, I purchased them.
Take a look at the photos … consider the information shared by and about the seller, and let me know why you would, or would not make the same decision as I had.
I hope this is fun for everyone!
One more pic…
Ok… one last pic.
I am not quite sure on what level to respond is as I can't recognise or discuss zitan or indeed many other woods. I only know Zitan is heavy.
I can only say that if I were considering purchasing for re-sale, assuming these are what you say and good value at $500, I would have to consider issues like do they need some tlc that may be beyond my capabilities, storage, delivery, how desirable are they - chinese furniture isn't always the most practical in terms of size, style and usability. These are not what you would want to sit on, however they may make nice bedside tables even in a small modern home.
So I would weigh all that up and probably pass on them given my situation at the moment. If I knew I could off-load them quickly for a small profit, then that would be different.
I am not sure that is the kind of response you were looking for but as you bought them, you must think they are ok. My guess is that they are made of an even better wood? 😊
I think this chair looks nice--I really like the carving. But some parts look older than others. Also, not much sign of wear on parts I would expect to see wear on, like on the edge of the seat, or on the foot rail. Are they possibly made of older parts?
@julia Your response is very smart, and caught me completely by surprise, because I hadn’t considered the two possible motives for buying- buying to collect vs. buying to resell.
I completely agree with what you’re process is as a seller in that you must consider the MEANS of how you will resell, AND the COST associated with selling.
In this case, a pair of heavy chairs might cost $300-500 to ship within the USA, and $1000 - 2000 to ship internationally.
So, as a reseller, unless think the chairs have sufficient value to make it worth the cost of shipping, regardless of the aesthetics, you’d have to pass.
Now, I don’t want you to assume these are zitan just because the seller said so, and/or because I bought them.
However, if the chairs are in fact zitan, then they
modt certainly would have enough value to be worth shipping.
If not zitan, then you’d have to have a local means of selling (ie. a shop, or bring to an antique show) and hope a buyer finds you.
But, what would your decision be as a collector?
@kirby13 Good observations. Chairs and all types of Chinese furniture can be composed of recycled parts.
Variations in wood color, grain, and wear sometimes are signs that a piece is composed of parts from other furniture.
Let me hold off just a bit on answering if this is in fact the case with these chairs.
Looking for signs of wear is very important when considering buying Chinese furniture. That said, most hardwood Chinese furniture show wear on the feet, and not so much on the upper parts UNLESS the wood is of low quality or not properly kiln dried and then shrinks/cracks.
Knowing this, why do you think there’s not much wear?
Also, can you give more specific detail about what you like about the carving?
Good discussion points - thanks!
I guess height from the ground is a factor and the design might give an instant idea of what they are, then you just have to confirm they are old, which based on the foot alone they do look old. So really if you know by the design of the chair, then the challenge is to make sure they are authenic of the era. The ebay honesty seller posts from China.
@short-dong Very good! You’re process is much like mine, and one I recommend to everyone considering buying Chinese furniture.
First - consider the form of the furniture piece BEFORE trying to assess the type of wood.
Now, of course you notice that my chair has no arms, and the seat is not matted. Did this come into consideration when looking at comparable chairs?
It does make a difference.
You are also correct that wood color can change, or be changed, but I’ll speak more about that later - let’s see if a few more members want to give their ten cents on whether to buy or pass.
Caution with using EBay sellers in China. It’s highly improbable that they would offer anything antique for sale, never mind zitan.
So, based on your response, you think this was a good buy?
I am confident you are very confident of the Design and know instantly what it most likley is and perhap even the era and the symbols also might lend you the means to get a very detailed and specific date and time, which means based on that you were certain what it might have been,but of course then the problem of authenticating it and apprasing it.
Again you are quite good at determining Chinese Antique wood so really that is subjective, I only know from what i leanred form you about the foot of the chair being more relevant tha say the seat wear.
I hope your knowledge was tested with this and you scored right. That was be satisfying, if it was what you think then It can be worth a huge sum of money. Much more than the $500.
I have a hunch this might be even more unique maybe Ming, but it really doesnt look that old, but maybe the wood they used was different, is it really really old perhaps and if so how confident are you of it.
I think the chairs look good for 18th century. My concern with Zitan is only that if they were I’m pretty sure they would have sold long before they would hit the passed up shop. But what makes me think Zitan is that the only wood that I believe could take a beating and not show the ware expected on the feet and step rail. So I’m going with 18th century Zitan. But even modern chairs sell for $1000 for the pair so $500 is still half of that.
@short-dong I appreciate all the praise and confidence in my buying prowess.
However, I really interested in what you and others would have done in my situation.
Sounds like you’d have bought them, too!
@short-dong I appreciate all the praise and confidence in my buying prowess.
However, I really interested in what you and others would have done in my situation.
Sounds like you’d have bought them, too!
I dont have the knowledge you would have, but if I knew the design and then did some research ( if that is possible in this scenario) and then have a confident verification of the age of the chair, then oh yea i would buy them. All they need is the correct appraisal to reach the right buyer.
that is crazy money for a pair of chairs. Considering people argue over a hundred bucks for some beautiful Antique victoria and older brown furniture handmade.
A PAIR OF LARGE ZITAN ARMCHAIRS
18TH/19TH CENTURY
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