Researching Antique Furniture

Antique chest

These days, it seems there’s an “antique shop” on just about every corner. It’s pretty easy to tell when the sign outside really means “purveyor of junque.” Sometimes, though, you stumble into a very nice store with what seems to be lovely antique furniture. Its pedigree isn’t all that important if you’re not giving much money for it. When it comes time to pony up a large sum for a piece that's being sold as a genuine antique, it’s time to begin researching antique furniture to make certain you’re looking at the genuine article.

Instructions

1. Begin your research by learning the language that experts use to identify a particular piece; an antique commode, for example, is a low chest of drawers, not a bathroom fixture.

2. Go to the library. Read a general reference like Judith Miller’s “Furniture: World Styles from Classical to Contemporary,” to familiarize yourself with eras and styles. Take a look at titles like, “A Field Guide to American Antique Furniture” and the “Antique Trader Furniture Price Guide” for an idea about the relationship between quality and price.

3. Know what you’re looking at and how to identify reproductions if you’re interested in antique furniture for its value. Make a detailed inspection of the piece up close to look for telltale signs of age. Handmade square nails and crystallized glue may be an indication that the piece is genuinely old, while sharp edges, circular saw marks and perfect screws are all signs that your piece is more modern than it may appear.

4. Be aware that an antique’s provenance matters very much in terms of its value; make every effort to verify any documents that claim to identify the original source of the piece. A piece of furniture may be called Chippendale, for example, because of its age and style, and that’s important. A genuine Chippendale, one manufactured by Thomas Chippendale, is extremely rare, however, which makes the documentation even more important. Any time someone drops a name, look it up. You may need to refer your Chippendale to an expert.

5. Know that antique furniture is desirable and valued for a reason that an expert can identify with ease. An antique piece may have value because it is very rare or because it is in exceptional condition; on the other hand, old furniture isn’t necessarily antique furniture for a collector if it’s falling apart or if it has been clumsily refinished.

Tips & Warnings

• Understand that “antique” means different things to different collectors. A car may be classified as an antique if it’s 25 or 30 years old. Rugs are considered antique if they are 60 years old or more. In the US, firearms manufactured before 1899 are antiques, according to the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. In fact, the US government considers anything over 100 years old to be antique, while many collectors use a benchmark of 50 years.

Resources

• Glossary of terms