Contents
How do you know the era of furniture?
How to Determine the Age of Antique Furniture
- Look Past the Style of a Piece.
- Examine Bottoms, Insides, and Backs.
- Check for Perfectly Matching Elements.
- Try to Figure Out What Tools Were Used.
- Look at the Wood and Upholstery Fabric.
- Investigate the Screws and Other Hardware.
At what age is furniture considered vintage?
Most antique dealers consider an item to be vintage if it is at least 40 years old.
How can you tell if furniture is mid century?
Mid century furniture is characterised by clean lines, open sides and classic shapes. If a piece looks ornate or has what feels like extraneous details then treat it with caution. Mid century furniture is often crafted from solid woods, notably teak, elm, beech and rosewood.
When did they stop using wooden wheels on furniture?
The wheels are attached to an iron frame that is mounted at the foot of the furniture. Patenting the Caster Even though wheels (and therefore casters) have been around for quite a while, they weren’t officially used to move furniture until the 1870s.
How do I find out what something is worth for free?
Use your preferred search engine, type in your item, and then include the word database. For instance, if you search “antiques database” there are many results that list prices of collectibles. Kovels is an online database that offers a free subscription to its pricing guide.
How can you tell how old a dresser is?
Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece. If the wood shows circular or arc-shaped marks, it was cut by a circular saw, not in use until about 1860.
How to tell the age of antique furniture?
The wear and tear of a piece of furniture also helps to tell its age. A legitimate antique is one hundred years old or older. It should have a bit of scarring to show for its time. Here are a few tips on how to determine the age of a piece of furniture. Measure the tabletop for round tables. Wood shrinks over time, and only in one direction.
How can you tell when a piece of furniture was made?
Make sure to search for labels, stamps, or manufacturing tags that can tell when and where a piece was made. Furniture companies and makers often listed their names, locations, and year of production This information can be found on the inside of drawers, the backs of bureaus, and on the lower edges of pieces.
How can you tell if a piece of wood is old?
Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece.
How can I find out what my inherited furniture is worth?
Take clear, well-lit photographs from all angles. Search the piece for any labels or maker’s marks. Write them down and take photos. Look to see if any previous repairs have been made to the piece (like a new screw replacing an old one). Write down any known provenance of the piece. Was it your grandfather’s? Did it come over on a ship during WWII?