(b) — Categories · 07 Furniture
An antique or design piece, checked over video by an expert.
Chest, chair, sideboard or lamp: a furniture expert examines the structure, joints and finishes with you, and records the piece’s real condition in a sealed report.
(a) — What the expert checks
The checklist points.
Each point is recorded as compliant, with reservation or not checked. A point that cannot be observed is never presumed compliant. The Basic format covers the essential points; Expert and Premium, the full checklist.
10 points checked
- 01Physical identification
- 02Chassis and connectors
- 03Damage mapping
- 04Stress areas
- 05Structure and stability
- 06Joints and assembly
- 07Veneers and finishes
- 08Edition markings
- 09Visible restorations
- 10Hardware and mechanisms
(b) — What we often find
The defects that matter to a buyer.
- Woodworm holes and frass, sometimes still active.
- Lifting veneer, splits along the grain, rings on the finish.
- Loose joints, wobbly chair.
- Cut-down legs, replaced handles or escutcheons.
- Missing maker’s label or marking on a design piece.
(c) — Preparing the session
What to have at hand.
- The piece cleared, accessible from all sides, drawers empty.
- A torch for raking light and the inside of drawers.
- A coin or ruler to give the scale of defects.
- Purchase, provenance or restoration documents.
(d) — What the report does not say
Written limits, not promises.
- The report describes markings; it does not certify that a piece is an original edition.
- The inside of upholstery is not examined without dismantling.
- Stability is judged by the handling possible during the session.
(e) — Frequent questions
Furniture
How can you tell whether woodworm is still active?+
Fresh, pale frass and sharp-edged holes signal a probably active infestation. The expert records it, without being able to confirm it remotely.
Does the report authenticate a designer piece?+
No. It describes the label, markings and visible elements, or their absence, without concluding on authenticity.
Are restorations mentioned?+
Yes, when visible: replaced parts, refinishing, shades that do not match.
Other categories
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