Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Larkin press-back

In Furniture > Chairs > Show & Tell.
Boattail71's items1 of 1
3
Love it
0
Like it

RonMRonM loves this.
blunderbuss2blunderbuss2 loves this.
officialfuelofficialfuel loves this.
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 11 years ago

    Boattail71
    (1 item)

    I just bought a set of Larkins. I cannot find extensive information on them. I think I know what a #1 is but this set doesn't have the twists on the stiles. What does this mean? I have also read about a Larkin #6 chair but I don't know what the specific differences are.

    I also have three Larkins with the rope twist stiles but they are missing the skirts. Would I be adulterating a Larkin and the purity of an antique if I swapped a skirt from one of these pictured and placed in on the "twist-stile" Larkin?

    I have read about the extreme values of Larkin press-back chairs but I don't believe they have retained that value - at least not here in Colorado. I haven't found many antique folks who care much about them. And wish me luck to find someone who would care what a Larkin is and pay whatever they're worth if I ever decided to part with them.

    Comments? Love to hear 'em.

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

    logo
    Chairs
    See all
    Authentic Signed James Pearce Walnut Adjustable Industrial Screw Piano Stool
    Authentic Signed James Pearce Walnu...
    $821
    Set Of 4 Vintage Burke MCM Fiberglass Swivel Metal Tulip Base Dining Chairs
    Set Of 4 Vintage Burke MCM Fibergla...
    $350
    Full Set (4) Bearings Lowentraut Hall Glider Rocker East lake Antique Chair
    Full Set (4) Bearings Lowentraut Ha...
    $24
    RARE 18TH C WOODBURY CT QA SIDE CHAIR CARVED EAR CREST IN ORIGINAL RED PAINT
    RARE 18TH C WOODBURY CT QA SIDE CHA...
    $76
    logo
    Authentic Signed James Pearce Walnut Adjustable Industrial Screw Piano Stool
    Authentic Signed James Pearce Walnu...
    $821
    See all

    Comments

    1. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      When you get ready to replace the cane bottoms, if they are the type with holes instead of a groove, take it to somebody who does these things & pay them whatever they want. They earn it! I'm redoing one now with the perimeter holes & what a job. Will be ready for the rubber-room soon if not now.
    2. Boattail71 Boattail71, 11 years ago
      Blunder,

      Fortunately, these have the pressed cane with the groove. If you are caning your first chair I admire your determination. I remember my first hole caning job. I was lucky and had my father as a teacher. I can't imagine learning by reading a book.

      What kind of chair are you caning?
    3. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      Boattail, there's a book!! I did one of these chairs years ago & had completely forgotten what a job it was. Had no book then either. I can see that with the grove, it is easy. I actually almost grooved my chairs but a router won't go "thru" the back legs but now wish I had channeled out that part by hand. The one I did maybe 15 yrs ago lasted longer than the one I let a local do who used staples under. Un-weaving that stuff & then the strands have to go thru the holes in a natural order. I'm about 1/3 done with the 1st chair. I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ANYMORE!!!
    4. Boattail71 Boattail71, 11 years ago
      I feel your pain, blunder. I don't understand your "un-weaving" task and I wouldn't ask you to suffer through a painful explanation - and I'm not sure I want to know! I have seen staples holding cane from underneath. Yikes!

      I'm impresse with your learning the hole caning process without the help of an expert (or book).

      IMHO, don't cut grooves! At least not in an antique. I actually find the hole cane jobs more fun than the pressed/groove kind. I have an interesting problem with these Larkin chairs. They have pressed seats but the original grooves were damaged. Someone routed a new groove to the outside of the originals. I am actually planning on restoring the seats to match the original cane seat size from the factory. Ya, that means filling in the outside groove with grain-matching oak. (have I said "yikes" yet?)
    5. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 11 years ago
      The seats aren't square & the pre-made woven matting is. You have to undo the weaving back to where the holes are & thread the cane strands thru the holes. Almost half way now & still thinking about a plywood bottom!
      You will never get wood to match the antique wood & will regret trying. Even when matching new wood perfectly, it will age differently with time. Unless you are going to paint the chairs, don't go that route unless you are talking about filling the inner groves.
    6. Boattail71 Boattail71, 11 years ago
      Good point B. I have made similar repairs to decrepit chairs with good results. Good point about the aging issue. I will use a period donor chair for the oak. Wish me luck.

      I would never paint an antique that wasn't originally painted - I don't want to be cursed at by a future restorer.

      Hole cane: I "weave" a single strand of cane in and out of each hole (the holes in the wood frame of the chair seat). No staples necessary. Time consuming but its more fun than pressed seats with the groove.

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.