Reproduction French Victorian chairs debunked and appraised

Jerry asks:

Hello,

I recently purchased these chairs and wondered what style they are,
Victorian, French Victorian or?…

I am also trying to determine if they are true antiques or knockoffs?
The store I bought them from said they were antique but I always wonder.

Any idea on value?

AW says:

Sorry to say Jerry, but these are reproduction chairs, of that I have absolutely no doubt.

If the store insists they are old, tell them to put it in writing. This period would be 1870s, and your right, the style is French Victorian.

See the speckles on the wood? A clear indication of a very modern furniture process, also, the heavy glossy finish and sharp edges of the wood is a clear indication of a reproduced piece of furniture.

Obviously, the upholstery is new, but old chairs can be re-upholstered, these however are definitely not old chairs.

As far as value goes, it would be whatever the retail price of new chairs like this go for, I’m not very familiar with that market.

If you were to sell them or any new retail item on the secondary market, count on getting about 25 to 50% of the original purchase price.

I wish I had better news, and hate to hear about unscrupulous antiques dealers.