Antiques & Collecting: Fantasy furniture

“Fantasy furniture” usually refers to postmodern pieces with whimsical shapes and unusual colors made from unexpected materials. Like many furniture styles, it’s older than you might expect.

Furniture has been made in fanciful shapes for hundreds of years, with animals being a favorite element.

While the name “fantasy furniture” may imply mythical animals like dragons or griffins — and you can certainly see them in furniture and decorative arts — representations of real-life animals count, too.

Black Forest furniture with elements carved to look like realistic bears are fantasy furniture. So are Italian grotto chairs with backs shaped like enormous scallop shells.

And so are pieces made to look like a whole animal, like this 19th-century carved walnut chair that Fontaine’s Auction Gallery described as an “ostrich-form fantasy chair.” It sold for $3,276.

Its decorations aren’t limited to its legs or back. It’s complete with an outstretched wing for a back, the head and tail as asymmetrical arms, a feathery body with a folded wing for the seat and bird legs carved into the base.

I recently had my 1956 Gibson guitar authenticated as original with original finish from the Gibson company. It has the original Gibson finish and I was told the wood includes spruce and mahogany. I was curious about its value and also wondered what avenues I could use if I would like to eventually sell. Can you assist me with suggestions?

The best way to find the value of a vintage or antique instrument is to take it to a local store that sells used musical instruments. Look up prices and get multiple opinions before you sell!

Gibson guitars can be worth a lot of money. We have seen them sell from about $500 to several thousand dollars, depending on the model and condition.

Gibson does not buy or appraise vintage guitars, but their website, at gibson.com, has a tool to help you find dealers in your area. They recommend Carter Vintage Guitars, at cartervintage.com, for appraisals.

Tip: Cover scratches on dark cherry or mahogany furniture by rubbing them with a bit of cotton dipped in iodine. Scratches on lighter woods can be covered by rubbing with a solution of equal parts iodine and alcohol.

Current Prices

Planters Peanuts, jar, lid, barrel shape, embossed, Mr. Peanut, etched name on lid, peanut finial, 12 1/2 inches, $75.

Lamp, sconce two-light, gilt bronze, mirror back, rectangular, pierced frame, urn shape crest, two dolphin supports, scrolled arms, 19th century, 22 x 8 inches, pair, $160.

Toy, car, racing, Super Hot Rod, open top driver, red, yellow, light blue, flashing lights, battery operated, friction, box, Marx, 1950s, 11 1/2 x 4 x 5 inches, $250.

Sewing, pincushion, Iroquois, figural, bird, multicolor beadwork, early 20th century, 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches, pair, $375.