In the industry there are generally the following classifications, and though no strict adherence to any one of them, this is my interpretation of them as follows in order from least desirable to most desirable. It actually is a term more applied to wood case goods than upholstery, as most upholstery is either Production or Hand-Crafted. You will get various opinions of these definitions, but these are the ones I use when in discussions with my suppliers.
Production Furniture: By far, the most often you see. As you would imagine, furniture moves through a plant with a number of people working on a piece as it goes through the various stages. One person will glue-up boards and nothing else, another will feed pieces into a CNC cutter, another in assembly, etc. Teams of people work on it and pass it on down the line, not unlike a car manufacturer. I'd estimate 90% of the furniture made is done at this level.
Hand-crafted: An overworked terminology that is broad spectrum in its use. Teams of workers will make a piece using a combination of power tools and hand tools, with a greater emphasis on hand-fitting and work rather than using high-speed machines. Typically used in reproduction furniture, they will use modern machines to build the piece then go over the surfaces with hand-tools to create an old-world look. There will be less workers involved in making the piece than Production furniture. Maybe as few as four or five on a piece. This method gives you much of the handmade look but at half the price.
Benchmade: This term means ONE person makes your piece of furniture using a combination of hand and power tools. That person makes it on his workbench, hence the name. Typically these will be signed pieces, and be done to a high level of craftsmanship. That person may hand it off to a finisher or do the finishing himself, depending on their operation and size. This is the highest level that most consumers purchase at.
HandMade: This term is incorrectly used most the time. In the pure definition of the word, the furniture is made using ONLY hand tools all the way through the process. No modern tools, or electric tools are used. No lumber is purchased (cut by hand as well). Very few shops do this, because the labor hours are horrendous. I only know of the Cabinet Shop in Colonial Williamsburg that follows the protocol exactly (there is no electricity in their building!). One master cabinetmaker builds a piece from the log pit to the oiled finish. Pieces are commissioned, take a very long time and are quite expensive.
Just to give you some pricing ideas. If we were to take a 18th Century Slant Lid Reproduction Desk, American, made of say....mahogany and price it out using the various forms and methods this would be fairly typical:
Production Furniture: $ 3,000
HandCrafted: $ 6,000
Benchmade: $ 8,000
Handmade: $ 20,000
Original Period Antiques: $ 90,000 +
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
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