It will also help you pick out the one that closely matches your décor and taste. Whether you visit the library, a bookshop, or purchase a book on Amazon, there are a ton of publications about identifying and valuing antique furniture. If you can't find out anything else about this item it is best to find an antique furniture dealer in your area and have him take a look. Likewise, silver and silverplate marks are often a series of small symbols placed inside squares. If you can't find out anything else about this item it is best to find an antique furniture dealer in your area and have him take a look. The wood used to construct the buffet/sideboard often determines the era. This group is to find information out regarding antique or vintage items or you may want to just show off your new find ... as a group, knowledge can be shared, as well as how to find informative... Identify My Vintage And Antique Items In the East, an antique is Queen Anne or earlier; in the West, it's any piece of furniture that came across the mountains in a wagon. Identifying Antique Furniture or Good Reproductions. Collector’s handbooks that are published for specific types of furniture, such as The Bulfinch Anatomy of Antique Furniture or the Field Guide to Antique Furniture, contain photographs of antique furniture details along with lists of maker’s marks. Find the period to which the antique chair belongs by evaluating its shape and comparing it to a chart or guide in a book or online. Antique wooden drawers had joints that weren't machine-cute until 1860. The marks sometimes changed over the years they were doing business, so these identifiers may be able to tell you more about the age of the piece as well. Many of the best pottery houses have very well-known marks that are easy to identify. Multiple types of wood is a good thing. This knowledge will also help you know what to look for so you can avoid being taken by fakes. Antique Furniture.. How much is my antique furniture worth? For instance, a black light can be very handy for testing everything from porcelain to works of art. 2. It can be difficult to tell these woods apart and if the wood has been stained or painted it can be even harder to identify them. The Spruce Crafts uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. He may be able to identify who has made this dresser, give you an estimate of the age and the value. Furniture that had mechanical parts was also embraced by the Victorians of this era. Choose from 20,000+ items of Antique Furniture, prices from £100 to £195,000. A trusted antique guide on general antiques is often a good place to start with research. When identifying antique chairs, it's important to have a basic knowledge of the significant design periods and the important types of chairs. Related Articles. Find similar antique furniture values in print. The two styles look similar, but to the trained eye, there are distinct differences. Determining the age of antiques is half the fun! There is some detective work to be done if you want to really ensure that the antique is real, and a qualified inspector should be hired if you're spending any appreciable sum of money. Chippendale is a style of furniture that was crafted in the mid- to late-1700s while Queen Anne furniture dates to earlier in the century. So not being able to find any other examples for sale of antique furniture like yours might mean that it is scarce, but unless there is a sizeable demand for pieces like it, this may not mean it is exceptionally valuable. Identify Antique Glassware; Identifying Antique Silverware Patterns; Last updated: April 10, 2009 by admin. Here is a quick guide to help you distinguish between the different looks. According to Museum Furniture, Queen Anne style buffets and sideboards will have carved scallop shells with graceful, bowed legs. Is your piece a reproduction? Determining the age of antique furniture is the first step in establishing a proper valuation, as well as verifying that the piece is indeed an authentic furnishing from the era in question. December 2019. Manufacturers often reproduce pieces from other eras, and some styles, like Shaker wood furniture, never really go out of fashion. Furniture can also be labeled, so be sure to check inside drawers and on the backs and undersides of pieces for a manufacturer or craftsman's name. How much is my antique furniture worth? Each antique style has specific identifying features, often named after the reigning monarch of the time, or for the designer who created the style, such as Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheraton or George Hepplewhite. At Mearto, professional antique furniture appraisers are ready to help you find the value of your antique furniture. How to Identify Antique Furniture. So not being able to find any other examples for sale of antique furniture like yours might mean that it is scarce, but unless there is a sizeable demand for pieces like it, this may not mean it is exceptionally valuable. Also, if you collect Bakelite, you'll definitely want to know how to identify it by using various methods. There are various styles, famous makers, and a number of confusing terms that you need to know. Examine the level of work that went into the furniture from the joinery, finishing, knobs, and more. My Antique Furniture Collection. Pottery and porcelain marks are often very visible, you simply need to look on the bottom or back of a piece to locate them. A good place to start when identifying furniture is often to figure out what period it's from. Article from mandmsq.hubpages.com. The term "antique" generally refers to furnishing that's 100 years or older. Among modern furniture designers, a name like Eames will come up often and these pieces are very collectible. The woods preferred by makers of this period were walnut and oak, with some use of mahogany and rosewood. Getting stung by a reproduction is one way to "pay for your education." Significant Furniture Design Periods. The first step in changing the look of a residence with house style suggestions is to change the wall color. For instance, did you know that a sideboard and a buffet are basically the same thing? There are many different types of antique chairs, and each has a unique appearance. They didn’t know anything about it, so I’ve had to do some research on my own. Use this guide to learn how to identify the different styles. Jorge Royan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0. Hopefully, you can use some of these clues to identify a vintage Heywood-Wakefield piece. 9 Ways to Help Identify Antique Furniture QUESTION: Some friends of my mom’s gave me what looks like a Chippendale desk. It’s unlikely that real antique furniture is made with the same type of wood throughout. A good place to start when identifying furniture is often to figure out what period it's from. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. Not only does Eames furniture have a unique, clean style that's easily recognizable, but you'll also find labels underneath the pieces. Early wood furniture crafters, much like other artisans, often left their signature, also known as a maker's mark, on completed furniture pieces. It's very common to find marks on costume jewelry, for instance, they're just really small and often hidden in an obscure spot. Use these details to date a 19th century sofa: Rosettes, finials, incised lines and elaborate feet may all help to identify antique sofas. Significant Furniture Design Periods. Close examination of the furniture’s construction can indicate if it’s a real antique. There are a number of ways to test antiques and collectibles for authenticity, some of which employ very clever methods. Looking at particular styles of furniture and the components can also be very helpful in figuring out what you have and how old it might be. When identifying antique chairs, it's important to have a basic knowledge of the significant design periods and the important types of chairs. Jan 28, 2017 - Explore Queen City Salvage Design's board "Identifying Antique Furniture ", followed by 486 people on Pinterest. Home Decoration Suggestions for the Wall Surface Shade . Phyfe was one of the rare early century cabinetmakers who actually used paper labels and tags to identify some of his work. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. At Mearto, professional antique furniture appraisers are ready to help you find the value of your antique furniture. A Guide to Antique Chair Identification With Photos. What exactly do you have? There are many other Mid-Century furniture designers that made pieces that are collectible today as well. Furniture making in America in the 19th century ranged from the small shop, like that of Duncan Phyfe in downtown New York at the turn of the century, to the huge factories of Grand Rapids and Buffalo at the turn of the next century. Likewise, Eastlake is the name of a style from the late-Victorian period (late 1800s) that is distinctly different from its contemporaries. If you know how to read them, they can tell you the maker, the country of origin, and in some cases even the date they were made. My applied methods in identifying furniture age to this piece completely confirmed his story. Furniture is a category unto itself in the world of antiques. And even though it isn’t a genuine ‘antique’ I’m totally fine with that. By using The Spruce Crafts, you accept our, How to Identify and Price Chippendale Furniture, How to Identify Roseville Pottery Reproductions, How to Make Money Buying and Selling Antiques, How to Identify Pottery and Porcelain Marks, Know Your American Antique and Collectible Furniture, Researching Antiques and Collectibles on the Internet, How to Identify and Collect Snow Babies Figurines, How to Find Values for Your Antiques and Collectibles, How to Identify and Value Depression Glass, Researching Silver and Silverplate Online, Overview of the Chippendale Furniture Style, Ways to Test Antiques and Collectibles With a Black Light. Amboyna is commonly seen on fine quality pieces of antique furniture. These books can offer a good foundation as you expand your learning on your favorite types of antiques. Lots of questions come up when it comes to antiques. If you need additional assistance, the best source is an antiques or vintage furniture dealer. If you are trying to determine the age of a piece of American antique furniture, it will require investigative work.Look closely at the the different elements that make the piece of furniture. Identifying Genuine Antiques. It’s unlikely that real antique furniture is made with the same type of wood throughout. A southern antique is a piece made before the Civil War. The only problem is that I can’t seem to find out much about it. Good morning – just got an antique writing box (the original laptop :)) the top and side were damaged by the spruce construction splitting at the knots and the veneer was irreparably damaged on 2 sides – I can repair/replace the substrate And i would like to match the Veneer as close as possible -can you identify the wood from these photos? Consult antique furniture guides to compare photographs and details of identified antique buffets and sideboards to your buffet/sideboard. Need some help with identifying antique furniture? It is also a subject that can seem overwhelming and confusing to someone with a new interest in antique furniture. Glassware marks are not as common as on other items, like pottery and porcelain, but they do present from time to time. A single piece of antique furniture is more than a collection of nails, boards, and wood stain. Maybe you have actually observed that by making the color of a large room darker, it is given the appearance of being smaller. See more ideas about antique furniture, furniture, antiques. Elizabethan (1520–1620) Early American Style (1640–1700) Whether it is a mahogany cabinet or a Georgian sofa set that you bought at an auction or inherited from your family, appraisal of antique furniture is best done by an expert. Wherever you look, it's a sure bet that you won't find a genuine antique from 1500 or 1600. Learning how to distinguish reproductions from genuine antiques may not be the easiest thing you can do, but it's worth the effort and sure is a lot easier on the pocketbook. I’m super happy with this piece of furniture, and how it looks in the living room entry area. The name is derived from Ambon Island in Indonesia, where much of the figured wood is believed to have been initially exported. How to Identify the Wood Used to Make Antique Furniture. The identification of antique furniture is a subject that covers a very broad area. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. The furniture shelving form known as an étagère was born in this period, allowing Victorians to have more room to display their treasured collections. Whether it is a mahogany cabinet or a Georgian sofa set that you bought at an auction or inherited from your family, appraisal of antique furniture is best done by an expert. When identifying antique furniture, one of the first things to look at is the style or period. An antique sofa may be very finely carved but should still show signs of being handmade. Contact an expert in the field of furniture, such as a furniture … The higher the demand and the scarcer the items, the more valuable they are. Furniture that had mechanical parts was also embraced by the Victorians of this era. One of the easiest ways to find out how much your antiques might be worth is to set up an appointment with someone who specializes in appraising antiques for a living. Download. When identifying antique furniture, one of the first things to look at is the style or period. When trying to identify antique furniture, dedicated antique hunters search for beautifully preserved pieces, armed with pins, magnifying glasses, spirit levels and all sorts of testing equipment. Elizabethan (1520–1620) Early American Style (1640–1700) He may be able to identify who has made this dresser, give you an estimate of the age and the value. Pamela is an antique expert and the author of three books on the subject. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. With a little effort, you can learn how to identify your antiques and research their values. Do you have something of value? Without knowing more it is hard to say one way or the other. What are the dangers of mercury exposure? These experts are excellent resources, and if you approach one who can’t help, they should be able to direct you to another local professional who can. She's written over 400 articles on antique collecting for The Spruce Crafts. Multiple types of wood is a good thing. The woods preferred by makers of this period were walnut and oak, with some use of mahogany and rosewood. The two styles look similar, but to the trained eye, there are distinct differences. How to Identify an Antique Dresser by Its Signature. The first step in identifying and valuing antiques and collectibles is often determining the maker of the item by researching a mark or signature. Learn 10 specific steps to establishing an accurate age for your antique furniture. 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Guide to help you find the value of your antique furniture closely matches your and. Diy project ideas and easy-to-follow Crafts to help identify antique furniture is often to figure out what it! Which employ very clever methods that by making the color of a piece made before the Civil War the styles... Can be very handy for testing everything from porcelain to works of art to look is...