Robert Morrissey photographed in his shop
Q And A - Conversation With Robert Morrissey
This antique dealer learned the trade with a polishing cloth in hand.
Photography by Katherine Bish
One day in 1982, Clark Graves, owner of Clark Graves Antiques, called searching for Phil Morrissey in hopes of hiring him as a delivery boy. But alas, he had moved on to Chicago. So, Graves asked Mrs. Morrissey if she happened to have any other sons in need of a job. She said yes. Her son, Robert, 23, had just graduated from Saint Louis University. Eleven years later Graves passed away, and the following year Robert Morrissey took over ownership of the shop, considered by many to be the city's finest antique emporium. Today, Morrissey still runs the shop, which has operated out of its Clayton location since 1948.
Did you grow up with antiques? I did not grow up with antiques. I grew up with nice paintings. When I started working here, I knew nothing about antiques. But as soon as I started, I fell in love with it. I bought my first antique within six months of working here and I stayed in debt to [Graves] until the day he died. He was very generous about letting me pay things off. So, I would choose an object and as soon as I was done paying it off, I'd find another one.
Your first buy? A set of four Georgian crystal saltcellars, circa 1790. I still have them.
How did you learn? Clark Graves was very generous with his information, and then as soon as I got into it, I was keenly interested. I learned mainly by cleaning and waxing the furniture. Then I started reading the trade journals as well. I studied the ads in antique magazines for many years.
What are the key factors in recognizing a fine piece from one that isn't? Proportion is a very, very important component. Then you look at the wood, what we call timber selection. Are they fine woods? Not all cuts of mahogany are the best cuts. Is it well-figured [grained] mahogany? Look at the veneer. The color is another thing you look for in furniture. Does it have a nice, deep, rich color? Patina on the surface? Careless refinishing will ruin it.
Should a person refinish furniture? No, you should pretty much leave it as it is. But obviously, furniture needs to be maintained. If it has damage and it can be polished, polish it. But I think those home refinishing kits should be avoided at all costs.
How do you determine a good refinisher? I would want references and to see samples of his work. And get whatever warranties they have.
What happens when the veneer on a piece chips? You need to find a competent restorer who can match it and patch it. Condition is important but it is complicated because you are looking at furniture that is more than 200 years old and this furniture was made to be used. So you have to expect a certain amount of wear and tear just because of the age of the piece. You can solve the condition issue by knowing what the condition problems are and as long as they are reflected in the price.
What about the hardware? When you are dealing with English and European furniture, original hardware is not that significant in terms of its value. But you should insist on the hardware being correct for the period of the furniture. In American furniture, originality is different, and if a piece of furniture has replaced hardware on it, it cuts the value of it significantly.
What periods are in demand now? Beautiful objects tend not to go out of style. One of the things that has changed for the better is that 20 years ago, people's houses would be all English or all French or all of one period. Those days are gone.
Where do you go in Europe? I go to Portobello Road, lots of country fairs in England and France, antique markets, antique shows, Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen (Clignancourt). I prefer to do business with individual dealers.
Is your French very good? It is not. But everybody speaks Euro.
Is it getting harder to find great things? Every trip is harder than the one before. It has been especially difficult with the tectonic change in the antique business in Europe since 9/11. Traveling isn't as easy as it was. Finding stock has been difficult. And the exchange rate has hurt us. But having said all that, business here is great. Yet I am also working harder than I ever have. I travel more to find fewer things.
Do you ever lament the antique you didn't buy? We all have the story of the one that got away, don't we? We had here a pair of very fine Baltimore chairs that got away. If I knew then what I know now, I would have bought them. I have a lot of if-I-knew-then-what-I-know-nows.
What is the one item people most often come in trying to find? Probably a chest of drawers. It is a very serviceable piece of furniture. You get a lot of bang for your buck with a chest of drawers.
What else is hot? Biedermeier is very hot. It has never gone out of fashion for us. Clark Graves used to say, "I was dealing in Biedermeier in the '60s before Biedermeier was invented."
What about tchotchkes? I like accessories, but the problem is they have gotten so darn expensive. I have a hard time asking the prices that they are fetching. We would sell a pair of very pretty English Staffordshire plates for $125 and now they go for $600.
Are there any good values left? French porcelain.
What about looking at antiques as an investment? I don't like that word. I tell people it is a wise purchase, but you should only be buying what you really like. There are better investments.
What is your advice to the collector? I advise people to buy the best that they can and to buy slowly. Don't think you have to fill your house with antiques all at once. Let your taste change and grow. Come in and browse--that is one of the best ways to educate yourself and to get comfortable. You should absolutely not feel intimidated if you don't buy. I make a great cup of coffee here. Come in and ask questions, or don't. But you need to start looking.
And if taste exceeds means? I have layaway. I know what it is like to suffer for this stuff. I wouldn't have half the things I have if Clark hadn't had layaway.
