Repro rules, OK!

There are fine dividing lines around how an antique item should be described for sale.

Generally, if something is described as ‘in the style of’ it could be made by someone simply trying to emulate another. Often a painting will be described in this way. It means the artist has tried to be true to the manner, style and content of a better-known artist.

It’s precisely what an item of reproduction furniture or furnishing is – its being true to the manner, style and appearance of something often much more valuable, more famous or sought after by the purists.

Another word associated with the renewal of an age or style is Revival. Illustrations are Gothic revival, Sheraton revival, Arts and Crafts revival, Art Nouveau revival, and so on.

Both words - reproduction and revival - cover furniture (or other items) made to emulate the designs of the past. They shouldn’t be confused with the word ‘fake’; that applies to items designed to cheat, to mislead and deceive.

And don’t confuse a fake with a marriage. (No, not that sort of marriage.) A marriage is when someone ‘marries’ a piece from one item with a feature from another. each of a similar age and era.

It is not a marriage made in heaven for antique dealers or their customers. An example might be the top off one tripod table that finds its way onto the tripod legs of another.

Now, back to the main point. You may turn your nose up at the word ‘reproduction’ but its perhaps time to stop and consider that what comes around, goes around. Or is the other way around? In any event, every generation has been guilty of following fashion and simply tipping out an ‘old look’ in favour of something new.

The Victorians admired the heavy bobbin turned legs of furniture in the 1600s, so much so they recreated it. But not just with one item. They applied the look to a whole generation of cupboards, cabinets, tables, chairs, etc. Then, the late Victorians and Edwardians admired the lighter look of Sheraton (originally around 1790 to 1820) and so recreated it for the Sheraton revival period 100

years later.

And we now buy it again and again today because those pieces are still popular today, still recreated, either as mass produced items or one offs. Customers are not always put off by reproduction items.

Looks, quality and price often come above genuine antique status, which, can be unaffordable for a lot of us.