At first glance, this looks like an authentic Empire chest. It is a fine intarsia decoration, old-looking fittings, good varnish etc. To a new collector, this would appear to be made around 1850 but buyer beware.  This is a new product!

This chest is actually made around 1950.

How can you tell?  A closer look behind the chest is the giveaway.

The back of the chest and the bottom of the drawers are made of plywood.

Plywood is an older wood, but a real Empire chest would have a solid back and the drawers would be solid also.

Below are a few images to help you identify old from new:

Take a look at the back – does this look like a solid back?

Here is a reproduction drawer base in plywood.

Here is an old drawer base. (Neo Renaissance chest 1890 ) It is made of solid wood.

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to sell a one of a kind Tiffany lamp.  The thought of selling it at auction was the first decision made, because with a “one of a kind” you have no comparables in which to price it by.

By the end of the sale, the lamp had sold for $1,750,000 (plus buyer’s premium).  At the time, it was the 2^nd highest price achieved for a Tiffany lamp at auction. I thought to myself, “Who pays that kind of price to light a room?”

That question brings me to another one…Are reproductions something you should buy?  The answer is yes, and no.

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Reproduction is on left, original on right

Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of collectors like finding out that their beloved collectible is being reproduced. The mere mention of the ‘R’ word causes blood pressure to soar as prices plummet in even the most established collecting market. Yes, reproductions are the scourge of the collecting world. But is it ever acceptable to buy one?

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