- Spot the Signs: Tags, Stamps and Labels. A telltale sign of the furniture's maker is a manufacturing tag, label or stamp bearing the name of the creator.
- Localized Furniture. If the furniture bears a stamp or label mentioning a specific city or guild, the general time period and location are easier to figure out -- leading to ...
- Signs of Specialties. In some cases, a particular manufacturer or craftsman favored specific building materials -- such as maple when other contemporaries used oak -- or an unusual upholstery print ...
- Ask an Expert. Sometimes, even after a lot of research, it's still difficult to determine who made that antique dresser or dining table.
How to tell if furniture is antique?
Remember:
- Choose handcrafted
- High quality wood
- Exclusive craftmanship
- Unique beauty
How to determine the style of your antique furniture?
How to Identify and Research Your Antiques
- Look for Marks and Signatures. The first step in identifying and valuing antiques and collectibles is often determining the maker of the item by researching a mark or signature.
- Decoding Antique Furniture. ...
- Don't Get Fooled by Reproductions. ...
- Testing Your Antiques for Authenticity. ...
- Get a Good Antique Guide. ...
How to tell between different styles of antique furniture?
signs of age will be evident on older furniture. Marks such as this separated seam can help you tell antique wood from new imitations. Here are a few ways to tell if it's a real antique: - Expect to find signs of age on an older piece, such as boards separating on the seam separation. A new piece will look flat and smooth on top.
How to find out the value of antique furniture?
Share this article
- Key words are key - Use things that people would search for, such as brand and product names
- Choose the right category - For example if you are selling children's clothes, sell in the children's fashion category, rather than just fashion
- Pictures are important - Take them in natural light with a neutral backdrop
Is there an app to identify antique furniture?
Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff. Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff.
What is a maker's mark on furniture?
Maker's Marks It's a signature that helps us ensure that we are dealing with a genuine article. This mark not only adds interest and appeal, but it also provides provenance and, therefore, value.
How do I find the model number of my furniture?
Finding Furniture Serial Numbers. Most items made will have a serial number on them, and this includes furniture. It can usually be found stamped, etched into, or on a paper label attached to the furniture piece.
How can you tell an antique from a reproduction?
While reproductions are often made to look older than they are, you can still discern the differences between the looks of aging. Reproductions tend to have consistent signs of wear. Authentic antiques, on the other hand, will have varying degrees of wear due to years of use.
How do you identify a maker's mark?
The maker's mark will always be unique. It should have the initials within a shield. The maker's mark will never be “recycled” even if it falls out of use. The maker's mark bears the initials of the maker in a shield approved and registered at the assay office.
How do you read a furniture tag?
What do those tags on your furniture mean?THE INSIDE. Tags may have phrases like “100%” new polyurethane foam”, or “spun polyester”. ... FABRIC COVERINGS. The outside is of more concern as this is where stains show. ... CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS. Most upholstered furniture will have a tag marked “Cleaning Recommendations”.
How can you tell how old furniture is?
How to Determine the Age of Antique FurnitureLook 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.
What do the numbers on the bottom of furniture mean?
Looking for Labels and Marks Look for marks on: The inside or even the underside of drawers, a popular place for labels or burned in marks. A number could indicate the style, the maker, or even a patent granted to the company. The furniture back.
How do I know if my antique furniture is valuable?
Basically, look for irregular shaped joints. If the joints are perfect, then the piece is not truly old. If they are irregular, there is a greater chance that the furniture is old and potentially valuable.
How do you know if furniture is hand carved?
The key to identifying real hand carving is to look for these inconsistencies. Look at the carvings up close, and from a distance. Does the carving on the right side of the cabinet match the left side, exactly? If so, it's not hand carving, because hand carving will have inconsistencies.
How do you date a dovetail joint furniture?
You can get an idea of the date of a piece of antique furniture by looking at the dovetail joint, as if it is hand cut you know its pre 1880 and the more primitive the cut usually means an earlier piece. Below you can see examples, the first is a 17th century drawer, pre dovetail so very primitive clout nails used.
What does reproduction furniture mean?
Reproduction furniture is furniture made to emulate the designs of the past. Whether it be a writing desk that mimics the same one Charles Dickens used to write Great Expectations or an art-deco style armchair, using this style of furniture adds a flare of history to any space.