Buying Queen Anne Dining Tables at Auction

Auctions can be one of the best places to look for high quality furniture, especially solid wood pieces such as a Queen Anne dining table or a complete set of Queen Anne dining room furniture.

What you should know and do before buying a Queen Anne dining table at auction:

Pre-view the Queen Anne dining table. In other words before making a bid be sure to check out the table, ask any questions, and determine that if the table is not as represented the bid will be null and void.
Check the cabriole legs and especially the feet of the Queen Anne table. The "toes" of the feet are the weak points. Often as the wood dries out over decades, the wood becomes brittle. The first sign is a broken toe.
Ask or look to see if the piece has been refinished. In most cases the preference is a Queen Anne dining table with the original finish. The wood will look darker because the finish darkens with age. Patina is a good thing.
If you plan to paint the table (don't cringe!) the condition of the present finish is not important. Queen Anne dining tables make great shabby chic furniture additions when painted. However, if the finish is not in good or excellent condition you should not pay as much for the table as if it were in excellent condition.
Check the wood underneath the table. Look for any replacement pieces. The wood replacements will be a brighter color of wood as all raw wood has a tendency to grey with age.
Remember: Although it is worth checking the prices in antique guide books for a ballpark figure, do not rely on those prices. A piece of furniture at auction is worth nothing more than what it brings on that day at that time. And, depending on the area of the country prices vary greatly. The prices in the antique guide books are based usually on museum quality furniture. You won't find that quality at most auctions and if you do you probably don't want to buy it for daily use even if you can afford it.
Do your homework. Bid. Even the best dealers get burned once in a while. Even the least knowledgeable will find a gem occasionally. In general, determine what you are willing to pay for a piece of furniture and do not go over your limit. There is always another table out there. If the one you are looking at gets away, there will be another. Learn patience.

One of the best ways to learn about auctions is to watch them on eBay. Ask questions of the sellers. Don't be afraid to ask and then do your homework. And, yes! There are some great buys, too. You may find just what you have been looking for.