How to Identify Antique Furniture: A Comprehensive Guide

The Art of Antique Identification

Walking into an antique shop or stumbling upon a dusty piece of furniture at an estate sale can be thrilling. Is it a hidden gem worth thousands, or a clever reproduction? Knowing how to identify antique furniture is a skill that takes time to master, but there are several key indicators that can help you determine the age and authenticity of a piece.

1. Examine the Joinery

One of the most reliable ways to date furniture is to look at how it was put together. Machine-cut furniture wasn't common until the late 19th century (around 1860). Before that, joinery was done by hand.

• Dovetails: Pull out a drawer and look at the dovetail joints. If they are uneven and few in number, they were likely hand-cut, indicating a piece from before 1860. Perfectly even, closely spaced dovetails suggest machine-cut joints, pointing to a later date.
• Mortise and Tenon: Look for these joints in chairs and tables. Older pieces often have pegged mortise and tenon joints, where a wooden pin holds the joint together.

2. Check the Wood and Finish

The type of wood and the finish can also provide clues. Different woods were popular in different eras.

• Oak: Very popular before 1700 and again during the Arts and Crafts movement (late 19th/early 20th century).
• Mahogany: A favorite during the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Walnut: Common in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and again in the Victorian era.

Look at the finish. Shellac was the primary finish before 1860. It dissolves in alcohol. Lacquer and varnish came later. A very shiny, hard finish often indicates a modern polyurethane, which means the piece is either new or has been refinished (which can affect value).

3. Look for Saw Marks

Inspect the bottom, back, or inside of the piece—areas that aren't usually polished.

• Straight Saw Marks: Indicates the wood was cut with a handsaw or an up-and-down pit saw, common before the mid-19th century.
• Circular Saw Marks: Circular saws came into use around 1830-1850. Arc-shaped marks usually indicate a later date.

4. Hardware and Screws

Hardware styles changed frequently, making them a good dating tool, though they can be replaced.

• Screws: Handmade screws (pre-1848) have uneven slots and blunt tips. Machine-made screws (post-1848) have even slots and pointed tips.
• Nails: Square, hand-forged nails were used until around 1800. Cut nails (machine-made but rectangular) were used from 1800 to 1890. Modern round wire nails appeared around 1890.

5. Signs of Wear and Patina

Genuine antiques show signs of use. Look for:

• Wear on the bottom of chair legs or runners.
• Darkening around handles where hands have touched the wood for decades.
• Uneven fading from sunlight.

A piece that looks too perfect is often a reproduction. "Patina" is the natural sheen that wood develops over time from polishing and exposure to air. It's hard to fake convincingly.

Conclusion

Identifying antique furniture is like being a detective. You have to look for clues in the construction, materials, and wear. While these tips are a great starting point, consulting with an expert or using a reliable identification app can give you the confirmation you need. Happy hunting!