Appraisals of Antiques, Fine Art, Estates, Historic Dress-Couture, Documents by Dudley and Dudley Certified Appraisers


	Dudley & Dudley Richard E. Dudley, A.A.A., U.S.P.A.P., Patricia Dudley, A.A.A., U.S.P.A.P. Certified Appraisals of Fine Art, Antiques, Textiles: Historic Dress & High End Couture, Historical Documents and Books including Estates and Estate Consulting

Patricia Dudley, A.A.A. Richard E. Dudley, A.A.A. Certified Personal Property Appraisers Members, Appraisers Association of America Our Resume (pdf) Home About Richard Dudley About Patricia Dudley Appraisal Services Estate Consulting Collections Management Expert Testimony Why A Certified Appraiser How Does A Certified Appraisal Legally Protect Me? U.S.P.A.P Professional Honors Appraisers Association of America American Furniture, Advanced	Period American Furniture Among the most highly sought after and valuable of all antiques are what are called "period" American furniture, that is, the craft made furniture pieces made in Britain's American colonies and in the early years of the newly formed United States. Designed after styles popular in Great Britain and, for earlier and later periods, the Netherlands and France, they are divided into well recognized design periods. The traditional names are from either the reigning monarchs or from the leading furniture designers up through Victorian: Pilgrim Century 1620-1720; William and Mary 1690-1720, Jacobean as a precursor Queen Anne 1720-1760 (1810 for some late forms) Chippendale 1755-1800 (1815 for some late forms) Federal 1790-1810 (Hepplewhite and Sheraton) Empire 1810-1840 Victorian 1840-1900 Arts and Crafts 1890-1920 Art Deco 1925-1940 International Style 1925-1940 Art Moderne 1930-1940 Scholars, museums, leading auction houses and leading dealers now use terms for these furniture periods delineated by the great artistic epochs. They are: Mannerism 1620-1700 Baroque 1690-1740 Rococo 1750-1790 Neoclassical 1790-1820 Classical 1810-1840 Rococo Revival 1840-1900 Renaissance Revival 1850-1900 Aesthetic Movement 1880-1910 Art Nouveau 1880-1910 Arts and Crafts 1880-1920 Art Deco 1925-1940 International Style (also International Modernism) 1925-1940 Art Moderne 1930-1940 The early 19th century Empire style, now formally “Classical,” followed trends in France during the Executive Directory and Napoleonic eras, with occasional pieces in the Louis XVI style. Dutch forms of the above early periods were and are found in the former colony of New Netherlands, now spanning modern New York, New Jersey and parts of Delaware. County furniture in traditional German designs dominate in Pennsylvania while in urban areas such as Philadelphia furniture reflects the highest style forms in Great Britain. In addition, French Provincial furniture is also found in the former colony of New France, now modern Quebec Province of Canada. These forms are often found in northern border areas of Maine, New Hampshire and New York. These pieces are so highly esteemed for several reasons: Design. These furniture pieces are often masterpieces of design in the Baroque, Rococo and various Neoclassical styles. They also highly functional and comfortable, as befits furniture handmade for specific owners. Craftsmanship. The craft standards of the late 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries have never really been equaled except for the Arts and Crafts Movement and contemporary Studio Furniture, Sam Maloof of Alta Loma, California being an example . All craftsmen during the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries learned their trade in a lengthy apprenticeship period lasting at least seven years-- the equivalent to a modern law or medical degree. Rarity. Because these pieces are made one at a time for specific owners who commissioned their construction, instead of being mass produced in a factory, these pieces are not common. Cultural Legacy. These pieces are also valued because they are memorable links to the first generations of Americans who created this nation. Dudley & Dudley-- Richard and Patricia Dudley-- as nationally recognized Certified Personal Property Appraisers specialize in appraising period American furniture. Because of their very high level of expertise, scholarship and years of experience, and the esteem and recognition with which they are regarded within the appraisal profession, Richard and Patricia Dudley were asked to write the Certification Exam for American Furniture and Decorative Arts in 2009 by the Appraisers Association of America. All other appraisers wishing to be certified in this field have to take this exam. Obviously, since they wrote the exam, they were inherently certified in this field. They also co-wrote the chapter on American Furniture for the Appraisal Association's manual for appraisers. They have also brokered important period pieces to major national museums including the Smithsonian, the Henry Ford Museum, the New York State Museum as well as worked for universities, banks, insurance companies, the legal profession and leading private collections. Dudley and Dudley Albany, Glens Falls, New York, Connecticut, Delaware Office Hours By Appointment Only Dudley & Dudley Shirt Factory Artist's Building Garden Level 19 Cooper Street Glens Falls, New York 12801 518-793-8251 In Albany, NY 518-436-8100 thedudleys@dudleyanddudley.com Site and all contents copyright 1996-2011 Richard & Patricia Dudley