I have just about refinished a set of 4 very sturdy dining room chairs that were given to me, but I’m interested in the history of this design. Internet searching helped me to discover that this style was popular from about 1880-1930. They were usually made of QSWO, with a single or double press back and turned spindles and legs. What is the ornate press back and how was it made? The name implies that the design was pressed or stamped into the wood-like a printing press metal plate. Correct or was there significant hand carving as well? Just curious. Any ball park estimates on the $value for these chairs?
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They are meant to simulate more expensive hand carved work and the design is pressed into the backs with a steam press. Value isn't much, you can often find examples for less than $50. Yours are very nice, great detail and refurbishing them increases the value, unlike some other antiques. $300-$400 each may be possible at retail. Their real value is having them back on the job and enjoying them.
As Hammer said they were made to look like hand carved earlier examples , but look carefully and some are actually hand carved .The press back process was described to like Embossing often the backs were not made of one piece of solid but more of a laminated back .
Thanks for the information. The "press backs" on the chairs are solid oak (not laminated)at 3/4" thickness. Would white or red oak be susceptible to steam bending and pressing as suggested for the production models?
Perhaps these are the real deal with truly hand carved inlays. If so, when comparing the 4 of them with the naked eye I'm impressed with their consistency. Real craftsmanship.
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