How to Tell if Furniture is Antique

Whether collecting antique furniture to keep or resell, there is no question about its value. This is why it is very important to know what to look for in determining when it was made. There are some key factors to remember to know if a piece of furniture is actually an antique. These are used by experienced antique collectors all over the world to estimate the value of all types of antique furniture.

The Joinery

One important thing to look for is how the furniture is joined together. It wasn't until after 1860 that machine-cut furniture was available. If there are slight imperfections in how the furniture is joined together, it is most likely handmade and a genuine antique. For example, handmade dovetails were commonly used to attach the fronts of dresser drawers to the sides in the early to mid 1800s.

The Handiwork

Another thing to pay special attention to is the handiwork of wooden furniture. Antique furniture such as rockers, tables or other items with legs or spindles may not be symmetrical. Look closely and you may see small differences in the size and shape of legs and spindles on these pieces of furniture. Handmade antiques commonly have these imperfections, but machine-made furniture is completely symmetrical.

The Finish

The type of finish on a piece of furniture can also help determine how old it is. Up until the Victorian years, shellac was the only clear finish that was available. It wasn't until the mid-1800s that varnish or lacquer was on the market. Some extremely old pieces of antique furniture may be finished with wax, oil or milk paint.