Besides having different levels of enthusiasm, people also have divergent pools of knowledge about antiques. No matter where you stand on that scale, if you’re going in search of even one piece of antique furniture, you should know a few things about identification methods concerning materials, manufacturing styles, periods, and designs.
One of the biggest concerns that people have is being fooled into buying a fake. Many stores and websites offer authentic reproductions, and bill them as such, to ensure that people know that they are selling replicas. These are not fakes. A fake is a piece of furniture deliberately made to appear older than it is, and offered by an unscrupulous dealer who reinforces that impression.
If a fake is constructed from newer lumber, it can be easy to recognize, as the wood will lack the patina that results from the natural aging process; but it can be harder to identify if it’s made from older wood. One thing to look out for is a piece that’s touted as 18th century, but which has markings from a circular saw, which wouldn’t have been used after around 1800.
Sometimes, furniture will be created from pieces of different items that were never intended to be together. This is referred to as a ‘marriage’ (and ain’t it interesting that it’s defined as two things that weren’t meant to be together?!). These parts can be from the same general period, or different eras, or even have brand new sections. Marriages are almost always less desirable than single pieces in original condition (and, again,…!).
One way to spot such an injudicious and disastrous pairing is looking for pieces that are ill-fitting or out of proportion, such as a top that looks too heavy, or legs that are too big or too small. These are some of the most common indications that a piece is a marriage. So, the best advice that I can give about an item like this is the same that I’ve always given about marriage – stay away from it!
Actually, any alterations that have been made to antique furniture will usually decrease its value. Some of the most frequent changes that you may encounter will be larger pieces that have been reduced to smaller sizes. To avoid these, watch out for sections of wood that look as if they have been recently cut, and handles that have obviously been relocated. If they have been repositioned, you should be able to see plugged-up holes.
These tips can come in quite handy when you’re scouring the stores for a great piece of antique furniture. On the other hand, if you want a gorgeous new armoire, jewelry chest, or some outdoor furniture, all you have to do is to visit CedarStore.com.
CedarStore.com offers breath-taking oak and cherry Queen Anne style armoires, available in six shades of wood stain, with jewelry drawers lined in hunter green or burgundy felt, and accented with brass handles.
Other home accents, which also make stunning gifts, include jewelry and silverware chests, cedar, oak, and cherry storage chests, steamer trunks, and quilt racks. To see the entire selection, go to CedarStore.com. To contact a design consultant or customer service representative, call 1-888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@cedarstore.com.
