If you enjoy spending your free time browsing yard sales, antique shops, and flea markets for old and unusual furniture pieces, you have plenty of company. It's a popular pastime, and sellers are eager to show off everything from rare tables and chairs to convincing reproductions. If you're not a lover of modern styles, and are interested in learning how to spot genuine antiques, the pros have some suggestions for choosing country and town house antique furniture Kensington decorators use.
One sure way to determine the general age of a piece is to look at the way it's made. You will be looking specifically for dovetails. These will indicate that the piece was handmade. The size of the dovetails makes a difference. If you see big dovetails, you are probably looking at something that was created by country craftsmen. Smaller dovetails indicate higher quality and the presence of a highly skilled craftsman. Nails and glue mean the piece is factory made.
It is customary for artists to sign paintings. It's unusual for a craftsman to sign a piece of furniture. What you may be able to find are manufacturer's stamps or labels that will help you identify the age and maker of a piece. The most common place to find stamps or labels is on the bottoms or backs of drawers. For pieces without drawers, you should look for identifying marks on the bottom or back of the piece itself.
You should certainly inspect any piece you are interested in for damage. The areas on a chair or dresser that get the most wear are where you are likely to see repairs or replacements. You should check the backs of wood chairs to see if the center supports have been replaced. On dressers, the feet tend to wear out first.
Cracks are very common in old pieces. They are caused by the wood contracting and expanding over time. This concerns a lot of potential purchasers, but experts say it seldom affects value.
There are differing opinions when it comes to refinishing. If you are a lover of authenticity, you will prefer pieces that have their original finish. Original finishes are indicated by a purplish black coloring. The varnish is often crackled from exposure to heat.
There are others who argue that the discoloration and crackling are not what the craftsman intended for his pieces. They would have been shiny when new. The discolorations disguise the beauty of the wood according to this school of thought. Before you refinish any old piece, you have to decide if reducing the value of the piece matters to you. Once a piece is refinished, it may not be as valuable, and it can't be restored.
Not everyone lives in an area where there are large selections of antiques to choose from. The experts say that buying online opens up a whole new world for these folks. There are established auction houses that allow online bidding in addition to inhouse bidding. If you choose to go this route, it's important to know that the seller and the auctioneer are trustworthy and knowledgeable.
One sure way to determine the general age of a piece is to look at the way it's made. You will be looking specifically for dovetails. These will indicate that the piece was handmade. The size of the dovetails makes a difference. If you see big dovetails, you are probably looking at something that was created by country craftsmen. Smaller dovetails indicate higher quality and the presence of a highly skilled craftsman. Nails and glue mean the piece is factory made.
It is customary for artists to sign paintings. It's unusual for a craftsman to sign a piece of furniture. What you may be able to find are manufacturer's stamps or labels that will help you identify the age and maker of a piece. The most common place to find stamps or labels is on the bottoms or backs of drawers. For pieces without drawers, you should look for identifying marks on the bottom or back of the piece itself.
You should certainly inspect any piece you are interested in for damage. The areas on a chair or dresser that get the most wear are where you are likely to see repairs or replacements. You should check the backs of wood chairs to see if the center supports have been replaced. On dressers, the feet tend to wear out first.
Cracks are very common in old pieces. They are caused by the wood contracting and expanding over time. This concerns a lot of potential purchasers, but experts say it seldom affects value.
There are differing opinions when it comes to refinishing. If you are a lover of authenticity, you will prefer pieces that have their original finish. Original finishes are indicated by a purplish black coloring. The varnish is often crackled from exposure to heat.
There are others who argue that the discoloration and crackling are not what the craftsman intended for his pieces. They would have been shiny when new. The discolorations disguise the beauty of the wood according to this school of thought. Before you refinish any old piece, you have to decide if reducing the value of the piece matters to you. Once a piece is refinished, it may not be as valuable, and it can't be restored.
Not everyone lives in an area where there are large selections of antiques to choose from. The experts say that buying online opens up a whole new world for these folks. There are established auction houses that allow online bidding in addition to inhouse bidding. If you choose to go this route, it's important to know that the seller and the auctioneer are trustworthy and knowledgeable.
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