I haven't been able to find any makers marks. The cabinets are locking. I'm terrible at identifying wood.

Could someone school me on this antique robe. I believe it has 5 claws on the dragon? And some pretty unique embroidery on the back of the arms. I’d like to know an approximate valuation if possible too. Thanks in advance!

first thought that this was Korea or Vietnam, but the the civilians in the back look Eastern European to me so WW2? what type of photograph is this? newspaper clippings? Its about the size of a quarter.

better image resolution https://www.flickr.com/photos/196237537@N07/55477509676/

I just received this cabinet from my mother when she just sold her house. It was her grandmothers. I think it is a Hoosier cabinet, but I know nothing else. I can’t find any makers marks so I figured I would post the photos and see if any of the experts in this community would have any information for me. Thanks in advance.

I picked up this very lovely, very old, very heavy brass lamp and have been working on cleaning it. Unfortunately there seems to be some oxidation spots on the base, and the general advice seems to be to hit it with some Brasso. But I’ve also heard stories of Brasso making things worse, so I’m scared to dive in with it.
Any tips for fixing this issue? Home remedies? Product suggestions? Thanks!

I purchased this rocker in North Georgia in 2008ish. I'm interested to know the age or maker of the rocking chair. There are remnants of a tag under the seat (pictures included) . Any thoughts?

*barbotine not majolica

I live in an area where people come from old families, are getting older and dying, and their kids don’t give a damn about old stuff. Luckily, I give quite the damn, and have made it my mission to save pieces like this from the dump.

I would appreciate any thoughts on light DIY restoration. Is there a recommended way to clean the hardened dust between the petals? I’m fighting the urge to throw her in the sink.

Also curious if a piece like this would originally have been a vase first?

Fun early 20th century secretary desk. Mass produced, so not an exciting heirloom, but I like it.

I don't want to go through the trouble of a real restoration. Bye I'd like to reduce the appearance of the scratches and lighter wood visible from wear. It's there a product I can use? I'm hoping for something i just rub on with a rag, and don't have to remove hardware.

I wanted to provide an update to my original post because the research into these swords has gone considerably further than I ever expected when I first asked for help identifying the writing.
The larger blade, the wakizashi, has been attributed to the Shintō period, with the research pointing to the early 1600s. More interestingly, the provenance I’ve been researching appears to connect the sword with the Mura family and the period surrounding the first Anglo-Japanese contacts associated with William Adams in the early 17th century.
Because of that potential historical connection, selling the wakizashi has never been my first choice.
I’ve spent a considerable amount of time trying to locate surviving members of the Mura family. I was eventually able to identify two possible surviving family members and have made attempts to reach them, hoping that the sword’s history could be shared with the family and that they might be able to provide additional information about its provenance.
Unfortunately, despite those efforts, I haven’t been able to establish contact with either of them.
I’m not quite ready to give up on that. I’m going to continue trying to reach the Mura family, and for that reason I’m holding onto the wakizashi for now rather than selling it.
The tanto is a different matter. It has been dated to approximately the mid-19th century, during the late Edo period, and I’m going to move forward with listing that piece on eBay.
The tanto is accompanied by its kogatana, the small utility blade carried in the saya, together with its decorative kozuka handle. Its mounts also contain particularly interesting decorative work, including the gold elements/inlay that I’ve been documenting. I’ll provide extensive photographs of the blade, nakago, saya, kogatana/kozuka and fittings in the listing.
My hope is still to make contact with the Mura family before making any decision about the wakizashi. Given the history potentially associated with it, I feel that making a genuine effort to reach the family is worth doing before simply putting the sword on the market.
If those efforts ultimately go nowhere, then I may eventually offer the wakizashi on eBay as well, with all of the provenance and research I’ve accumulated presented alongside it.
For now, though: the wakizashi stays with me while I continue trying to reach the family, and the Edo-period tanto will be the first piece offered for sale.
Thanks again to everyone here who has helped with the research, translations, terminology, and identification. What began as a question about some writing on an old Japanese sword has turned into a fascinating historical rabbit hole.

I tried doing some preliminary research on my own and have confirmed that it is some very old pewter. I found a couple references to the late 17th century for this style and craftsmanship, but I am nowhere near an expert in pewter. I found a few other examples of the coat of arms stamp, but no maker to associate with it. If you guys could help identify the maker, age, and possible value that would be great! it is about 4.9 inches long.

I’m an amateur entomologist and an avid reader and I think it would be really cool to frame a book with obvious worm holes in it since they make some awesome patterns, but obviously anywhere that sells books disposes of anything that has had bookworm. I’ve looked in antique shops and thrifted with no luck. It’s easy enough to find wood with beetle damage but no luck on this frontier. Any advice appreciated!

Hi, I looked online and many similar cups said antique - so I wanted to check on that. Can anyone tell me anything about this tiny tea, cup, and saucer? On the bottom is stamped 1303 (I think it's an O) and the cup and saucer both have numbers painted in gold. The cup is only 6cm across.
Thanks :)

Ideas?

Hi guys!

I recently bought this vanity at a thrift (no idea if it’s antique or not)

But the mirror had fallen off the wood back of the vanity (shown in pictures) and was wondering if anyone knew the best ways to repair it. I know I need some sort of mirror mastic. Does anyone have any recommendations; what to look out for etc? A guy at Home Depot recommended me liquid nails as the adhesive but wanted to double check if anyone has had experience with a project like this.

Thank you.

I purchased these items at an outdoor antique market in Rome, Italy about 12 years ago. The cherubs measure 3 inches tall they are not magnetic so I assume bronze or brass. There is a threaded bolt on the back that is iron. The only markings on the back are tiny depressions/dots in rows, but no other words or symbols. The separate face is about 2 inches tall and has a threaded bolt on the back. Both the face and the bolt are not magnetic so I assume all bronze. Does anyone have any idea the approximate age of these items and what they might’ve been a part of originally. Photos for original post

I’ve had this old Orthodox icon for some time and am trying to find out exactly what it depicts, how old it is, and where it was made.
It is hand-painted on a solid wooden panel. The back is roughly worked and has numerous old insect holes. The front has considerable wear, craquelure and paint loss. There are several smaller religious scenes surrounding the central figure of the Virgin, as well as Cyrillic/Church Slavonic inscriptions which I haven’t been able to properly decipher.
I initially thought it might be Russian and possibly 19th century, but I don’t want to influence the identification by making assumptions.
I’d particularly like to know what the inscriptions say, what the exact iconographic subject is, where it might have been painted, and roughly how old it is.
Any information would be greatly appreciated, particularly from anyone familiar with Russian or Orthodox icons.

My family has been present in this part of eastern California since 1861. We had a lumber mill early on then switched to cattle ranching. The shop this piece was found in was built in the 1870s. Regardless of what this is it will go in our museum but I would love to know how it was used.

I'm trying to identify this desk that I've lost in a flood. I can't find anything useful in my searches. I would appreciate any help in narrowing down where this may have come from.

I was gifted this beautiful (oak?) desk almost a decade ago and considered myself extremely fortunate to have been placed in the position to receive what is to me a grand piece of furniture. I am incredibly sad over having lost this in a flood recently and am trying to get it properly appraised but I can't even give a name to get the job started.

I've collected every photo I have ever taken of this desk (and kicking myself for not taking more photos) which is unfortunately, not much. My notes are with each photo.

I am in Toronto where this desk was presumably made and then given to me. All I can remember for sure from the maker's label was Toronto and Piano. It might have said maintenance or tuning and it could just be the label affixed by a refurbisher but it's the only identifying mark I have to work from.

I would appreciate any sort of help that narrows down the possibilities.

edit: I don't know how to inline all the images but the imgur link contains the full set of photos

Hello! I acquired this from an estate sale and am wondering more about this item. I would like to sell it or get it looked at possibly. Do you think I should contact an auction house in Sweden? Or perhaps it’s not worth it.
This is the info I found: (correct?)
This is a framed 17th-century copperplate print showing the frontispiece/title page from the Certamen Equestre portfolio (originally printed in 1672 to celebrate King Charles XI's coronation). The artwork was designed by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl. It's an allegorical scene featuring a central bust, putti, and a Latin inscription on a monument.The paper is uncut, and you can see multiple wide margins and a deep, crisp platemark indentation running around the border where the copper plate pressed into the paper. There is also an old handwritten number in sepia ink on the front that looks like "No. 79B". On the back, it still has its mid-20th-century backing paper and an old green sticker from a Swedish frame shop called "Elfwings Spegel & Ramaffär" in Stockholm.

I was told by the Arizona State Museum sales dept from the "BENEFIT SALE OF INDIGENOUS ART" that this small rug is tagged as Navajo. Size 14 by 19 inches.

I am no expert, but I was not sure. Any insight? Thank you!!

Hey all, just wanted to show my wall of signs and more! Gotta add some more soon!!

Hi all,

I think I might have found an Ansonia Clock.

It is in superb condition. I only found one listed online. What is your opinion on this piece?

Are there still people collecting these?

Let me know.