Quality miniature furniture appears to be harder and harder to find. I'm not talking about the reasonably quality (but pricey) Asian factory furniture from companies like Bespaq, Jiayi and JBM. They all occupy a similar market, but at varying prices, odd considering much of the furniture is probably made on the same factory line. I'm missing the brilliant basement miniature furniture makers who specialized in local pieces or reproduced antiques. True local collectibles made from identifiable wood with properly scaled finishes. The Asian factory furniture is easy to obtain, but it lacks character. Hand made furniture, with proper joins, careful carving and true hardwoods, seems to be on the decline.
Will it come back? If a new generation discovers the books of Harry Smith, and John Davenport or Dorsett publications Cabinetmaker's Guides and back issues of The Scale Cabinetmaker I hope we'll see a resurgence. We have far better tools than scale cabinetmakers before us have had, we just seem to lack the patience to practise the necessary skills.
Until real furniture makes a comeback, I'll just have to keep underlining the fact that 'museum quality' and 'artisan style' are terms often bandied about these days. Factory furnishings look fine in groups, but can't compete with the real thing.
Are you practising the art of making hand made furniture, regardless of how humble? Leave a comment below and share what you're making!
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