Posted 10 years ago
Fentonia
(8 items)
So this is the newest love of my life, a vintage Crestwood French Provincial armchair. It is in mint, unused condition . It has a distressed, cream painted carved wood frame with what looks like fisted claws at the ends of the arm. It is beautifully tufted, and upholstered in an eye-catching lime and gold silk-type brocade. It has a Crestwood label under the cushion, as well as the original furniture store label from where it was originally purchased from in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. I initially thought it was from the 50s or 60s due to the style and color, but the "do not remove under penalty of law" tag, mentions about the item "being in accordance" with upholstery laws of 1928 and 1929. I suppose its possible that it's just that the upholstery laws never changed between 1929 and whenever this chair was made. There is a blue State of Ohio 2-cent tax stamp on that tag, too. Anyone have any idea how old this wild beauty is???
Sales tax stamp?
Well, PhilDavid, I find it desirable, and I guess that's all that really matters.
Hi, aghcollect, and thanks for your love it. Yes, its a lightish blue stamp, roughly these size as a postage stamp, and has the Ohio seal on it, two cent in all four converts, and says "State of Ohio Bedding and Upholstery". Yes, I believe a tax stamp.
There is a difference between a "Sales Tax Stamp" (which was used post-1935 to collect sales tax) and a "State of Ohio Bedding and Upholstery Stamp" which was used to show the manufacturer was properly licensed to make furniture. - And yes, the Upholstery laws and wording on the labels has changed several times since 1928/29. - If you have the original store name and address on the label, try looking up when that store was actually conducting business.
Wow, that's excellent info, thank you. My research on the stamp itself only lead to people collecting those stamps themselves, but nothing about the stamp other than the obvious already printed on the stamp. So it sounds like the chair may be older than I thought. Thanks again!
You can also look up '"State of Ohio Bedding and Upholstery Laws" - it takes a little searching on the site but they give the actual wording required on the labels and when it was enacted. - The "sales tax stamps" were used up until 1962
What a nice chair Fentonia :) I really love furniture as well as the other pieces I collect but space just doesn't allow. I've passed on so many nice pieces at minimal cost. I figure there's always plenty more where they came from. Maybe some day....lol -Mike-
Thanks, Mike! I know what you mean. Our house is only 768 square feet, so anything I bring home I'd better either love or have purchased with the intention of reselling. I look through my glassware every month or two to see what I am willing to let move on.
Yes, I have a weakness for this style as well. Since its not the hubby's style, I pass (but covet). I get my fix by going to a girlfriends house who has girly all over the place. Love it!
Thanks, AmberRose. I couldn't take a whole housefull of this furniture, but its a fun accent piece. Luckily the color worked for me, otherwise I would have left it behind regardless of the price and condition.