The back of this painting as you can see - it seems to be painted on canvas and then somehow mounted on a wooden backing. I acquired it 30 years ago and it is older, but I am not sure how old.
I just purchased these tables 6/14 since posting this so I have much updated information, condition of tables etc.
Custom cut glass been replaced at sometime due to glass breakage. Since they were covered a lot of the time tops in good condition. The top coffee table is the best top 2 end tables are good one with slight issues the tops them selves are a different wood than the wood used for the carvings. What ever was used to seal the wood is cracking on tops (not wood cracking just the clear top coat)
Joints are loose on most legs. Wood looks really shiny in the photos but does not show that way in person to that extent.
Only marking underneath is the action numbers appears black grease/wax pencil
Please does anyone know who did this type of carving in France in or around the 1890s? Also can one verify the date?
The type of sealant used around that time?
How would I go about gluing etc to stabilize the legs?
These tables are so sweet and in pretty good shape but not perfect. Believe consistent with age.
This matching set one of a kind hand carved (shows the chisel/carving markings underneath the table sides etc).
Estimate of value?
This appears to be an authentic bentwood rocker signed by Thonet and made in Poland. It may be made of beechwood. It has the letter and number "2Y" located on the back side of the seat. It also has a "2Y" on a supporting member and on the left-to right rear and front bottom straight spacing rods. There is a "2Y" on the back support piece. There is another piece that I think says "33" to the best I can decipher. The oval piece below the back support reads "D5."
This piece appears to have the logo/name "Thonet" burnt into the wood, as well as the location of manufacture (Poland).
There is dog-chewed damage on the ends of the rocker, but it is in otherwise fair condition.
So I was actually planning on using the frame this painting is in for a kid project and noticed all the numbers and dates on back and front. Upon closer inspection it appears to be an orginal. The watercolor paper is yellowed but the condition seems pretty darn flawless. I bought it in a big bright blue wood frame, where the painting is professionally matted and framed..still with backing in place. Weird marks on back such as, a small "137 D" in far upper left corner, a medium sized red pen marking with a "52 60/w' in lower left, and a unreadable 500 with some unreadable letters following. The front is titled and signed. Oh yeah there was an old worn green index card tapped to the back stating..."Vieux Carre (old) quarter and then a red pen signature or name reference "Marie Masson"...Noticed there were alot of copies of just prints going around...is this 2 dollar score worth anything? Did the working mans family just get a wonderful blessing? we can wish but I will keep any expectations out.
