Really, really old furniture - what to do with it?

[M A V I C]

I have a bed frame, dresser and bureau that has been handed down through the family. It's southwestern in origination, and somewhere around 300-400 years old. It's intricately hand carved. It's not in perfect shape. Mirrors were added to the bureau at some point, and they're old enough that they're purple now. Someone also painted them, but my mom had stripped and restrained two of the items.

I know just because it's old doesn't mean it's worth anything. We don't have much space or use for it anymore. The dresser is pretty big, and takes up a large spot in the garage that we would like to repurpose.

Locally the feedback we've received is that it's not the type of stuff people are into right now. That said, one antique consignment shop says they'd love to have just the bureau, which is more of a desk. Feels like a shame to split it up.

Any suggestions on the best course of action for this furniture?

[testcase]

Shoot an email & pix to American Pickers?

[Randalls]

Since it has been in the family forever would any other related family members want it?

[Dennis S]

Flyers at the health food stores.

[NewtonMP2100]

....recently had to deal with this for parents furniture.....most place won't take things like furniture anymore [ they only want certain type or they charge you to pick up ].........Salvation Army, Good Will, etc......even when you post for free on Craigslist, you get 'dead beats' who don't show up......


.....was only able to get rid of 1-2 things....ended up having to dump everything in the trash......

[Dennis S]

There are local/regional swap and shop places on Facebook that lots of people look at.

[M A V I C]

testcase wrote:
Shoot an email & pix to American Pickers?

I'll look into that. Thanks.

Randalls wrote:
Since it has been in the family forever would any other related family members want it?

No. There's some reasons for that.

Dennis S wrote:
There are local/regional swap and shop places on Facebook that lots of people look at.

No one is really going to want it for furniture. Decoration, maybe. It's incredibly old. The fasteners and metal bits are all hand formed. The dresser is imperfect enough that each drawer, even though there's several of the same size and shape, has to be put in the same slot or it won't fit.

[Thrift Store Scott]

M A V I C wrote:
[quote=testcase]
Shoot an email & pix to American Pickers?

I'll look into that. Thanks.

Randalls wrote:
Since it has been in the family forever would any other related family members want it?

No. There's some reasons for that.

Dennis S wrote:
There are local/regional swap and shop places on Facebook that lots of people look at.

No one is really going to want it for furniture. Decoration, maybe. It's incredibly old. The fasteners and metal bits are all hand formed. The dresser is imperfect enough that each drawer, even though there's several of the same size and shape, has to be put in the same slot or it won't fit.
Are there any "Pioneer Village" or "Original Homestead" type places in your area that feature houses from 100 or more years ago? One of those would probably be delighted to have the stuff or to just use it as decoration on loan from you which would at least get it out of your way temporarily.

[mattkime]

THIS THREAD IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT PICS

[mrbigstuff]

Sounds like it may qualify more for folk art than furniture. Send some auction house an email