Pine, Cedar, Blackwood and Huon Pine Antique Furniture is Becoming Increasingly Rare
Pine furniture in the walnut-stained original condition is under extreme threat, as few collectors buy it for its originality but rather for its desirable honey colour after stripping and refinishing. This is a shame, as often a good original piece of pine shows up and is considered virtually unsaleable unless priced as a restoration piece. It is very difficult for devoted collectors of original pine, as even restorers will strip and sand these pieces because they are considered to be undesirable by most pine collectors.
Cedar furniture is certainly in its original saleable stale, but will sell faster and to a broader cross-section of the collecting community if cleaned and brightened up the finish which is disappointing to me as a collector involved in the conservation offurniture. Nevertheless cedar has gained acceptance in homes without having to be radically restored as it would have been 10 to 15 years ago, but unfortunately there is still much more restored than being conserved, which will continue until all of the original pieces have vanished.
Blackwood furniture I personally feel is not well received by the majority of collectors and is grossly under-estimated. It bears the stigma of being a 20th century cabinet timber hut has been used in this country since cabinet making began. There are many good examples of 19th century Blackwood furniture as well as superb in this timber veneered furniture with its beautiful figure. It is a first-class hardwood for all types of cabinet work, allowing for exceptional detail in turning work and extremelydurable. Due to its hardness, however, it was more difficult to work and was less favoured as a cabinet timber until mechanised machinery was available.
Huon pine, probably the most highly regarded of our dominant native furniture timbers, is known for its brilliant birds-eye grain. Furniture in this timber is mostly acquired for its quality, originality and patina, as its followers are usually seasoned collectors that want only the best. One of its most important attributes is that it attains a beautiful mellow colour with age that most polishers have trouble replicating.
Cedar Furniture Reviews
Australian furniture has been manufactured from every indigenous timber and also many exotic imports by master cabinet makers. Each piece should be appreciated for its own charm and character, be itdecorative or utilitarian, and never underestimated. Remember, we are only guardians.
STEVEN & DENISE KOSZEK Gumnut Antiques and Restorations
Pine, Cedar, Blackwood and Huon Pine Antique Furniture is Becoming Increasingly Rare