| Why would anyone buy antique furniture | | | | And that, in a nutshell, is the answer to "Why buy |
| reproductions? If the styles and construction of the | | | | reproduction furniture?" But, since genuine antiques |
| seventeenth and eighteenth centuries are so | | | | will always hold a special place in my heart (in fact, |
| appealing, why not just buy the genuine antique? | | | | when the opportunity arises, I still collect the |
| After all, what can compare with the wonderful | | | | occasional piece), I am something of a snob when it |
| sense of history and romance conjured by a genuine | | | | comes to reproductions. In fact, in my opinion, as |
| antique? What ardent seventeenth century lovers | | | | surely as there is such a thing as a "genuine antique," |
| may have stolen a kiss on that Louis XIV loveseat, | | | | there is also a "genuine reproduction." That is, I do |
| what secret missive may have been composed atop | | | | not consider a piece of mass-manufactured furniture |
| that delicate marquetry writing desk? Undoubtedly, | | | | that is simply made in the style of an antique to |
| antiques have an undeniable cachet. | | | | qualify as a genuine reproduction, any more than I |
| All of which again begs the question: why not buy | | | | would consider a paint-by-numbers copy of the Mona |
| the original? And frankly, as a dealer who has | | | | Lisa to be a work of art. |
| collected, sold and loved antiques for virtually all of | | | | And, again in my opinion, both genuine antiques and |
| my life, I would be hard-pressed to find a reason not | | | | genuine reproductions are works of art. Both are |
| to. Except. | | | | hand-crafted by skilled artisans using centuries-old |
| Since the turn of the last century, truly fine antiques | | | | techniques and styles as timeless as - well, as the |
| have become increasingly difficult to find, and, | | | | Mona Lisa herself. |
| consequently, increasingly expensive. Antiques having | | | | On the purely practical side, reproductions are made |
| become something of a craze during the 1980s, old | | | | to last and, because of the quality of design, |
| barns and attics, once the source of many a | | | | materials and construction, they will more than likely |
| delightful find, have long since been mined of their | | | | become the antiques of tomorrow. Also, they allow |
| treasures. Oh, of course, antiques were constructed | | | | you to have, in your own home, that very special |
| to last, so that is not to say they no longer exist. | | | | desk or chair or buffet that you have seen in your |
| Only now, that sturdily comforting Country French | | | | mind's eye (or in your friend's living room), but that |
| table, that elegant Louis XV banquette, that incredible | | | | you could not otherwise buy at any price. |
| Malouine parquetry armoire that you so covet is | | | | And if you find the term "reproduction" as limiting as |
| already living happily ever after in someone else's | | | | I do, simply call these fine hand-crafted pieces what |
| home. Or being offered at a price so exorbitant it | | | | they truly are: new antiques. |
| takes your breath away. | | | | |