How to Judge the Condition of Antique Furniture?

by

Matt Young

When evaluating antique furniture, there are many techniques that can be utilized by anyone who wants to make an accurate valuation. There are particular warning signs to watch out for in antique pieces that indicate newness, and they can be discovered easily if one learns about them ahead of time.

On the other hand, there are indicators of age that can be observed, which are helpful to know about because they imply higher value in the furniture. It may be costly and time consuming to have antiques appraised by an expert, so it can be helpful to have a basic education on the signs to look out for when judging the value of antiques.

Indicators of High Value

In this section are some characteristics of age (and higher value) that can be seen in antiques. A general concept to be aware of is that wood and glass tend to become warped over a long period of time. For example, wooden tables that may have been perfectly round when it was built will most likely not still be perfectly round if it is truly an antique, because the wood will have become warped. The same can be observed in the glass that is found in antique mirrors and other glass pieces.

In wooden furniture, look for variations in colour. These occur in old furniture because certain segments of the furniture are exposed to light for many years, while others, like the back of a dresser, are not. If there are signs that the furniture has been reupholstered several times, this can indicate a higher age and value. General indicators of age can also include normal wear tear and build-ups of dirt or dust.

Indicators of Lower Value

It is also important to know how to avoid buying new furniture that can be mistaken for antique furniture. In terms of coloration, the inverse of the advice above is true: new furniture tends to be uniform in colour because it has not been exposed to light long enough to show discoloration. If there are screw holes in the furniture with nothing in them, this likely means that part of the original piece of hardware (such as a handle) is missing, which will decrease the value.

It is not uncommon for some antique items to be forged or counterfeit. The people who produce these fake antiques will use various techniques to artificially make the antiques look older than they really are, such as using old screws or other hardware. Finally, if different types of wood are visible in the furniture, this can mean that the item was damaged and repaired at some point after its original production. However, if you are thinking of buying really high priced items, it may be advisable to call the experts since a few errors can be costly.

For further details on collectibles, antique chairs or finding an antique desk supplier, or any other topics that have been raised, visit

LovedayAntiques.co.uk

who are experts in the antique trade. They also have a

sculptures page

for those who are interested.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com