Antiques can be of many different types and all collectibles and antique furniture that becomes the most popular and practical choice. antique furniture is different from other categories of antiques in the sense that no one collects the same type of object repeatedly. This means that you do not want to buy and collect only tables or chests and fill your home with all the same. However, you may have a specific liking to certain wood or style.
Regardless of your preference, if you are planning to purchase antique furniture, you need to know the basics. In other words, you should have some idea about various styles, techniques of construction, finishes and variety of woods used. You will need this knowledge to determine if a particular piece is original (in its original state without any major changes) or altered (if some major alterations or additions have been made to it.)
When You Know The Basics
go to as many dealers and auction of antique furniture as possible. A to inspect the goods, do not hesitate to pull the drawers, kneeling to look at the underside of the lifting tables or chairs to take a look at your legs. If you get down and dirty, you will never learn.
In the beginning, furniture was crafted from solid wood but with improvement in cabinet making techniques, furniture decoration by applying veneers (thin sheets of wood) was developed. This provided an inexpensive method of creating decorative effects from different grains and patterns. It was also an economical technique that made inexpensive woods look like expensive hard woods. Such furniture had a solid body called a carcass that is made of a different, generally less expensive wood, like pine. Some of the woods used in antique furniture are beech, cherry, chestnut, ebony, elm, mahogany, pine, oak, satinwood, walnut etc.
The following characteristics are important to determine the age, authenticity, quality and value or price of antiques:
- The color and patina: Patina is the glow of the wood after years of accumulation of dirt and wax polish. A rich subtle color is also an important feature antique furniture.
- Proportion: A piece of furniture might be disproportionate “marriage” of different parts of the different furniture.
- Construction: Before the end of the 17th century, furniture was made using joints and mortise and legs were handmade.
- Condition: Do not ignore parts marks or stains as wood is not damaged. A good restorer can undo surface stains. antique furniture in the same original pristine condition, worth the higher price.
- Alterations: Altered furniture is always less desirable than the original piece. Telltale alterations include large pieces reduced in size, freshly cut surfaces, plugged holes, repositioned handles etc.
Now that you know what to look for, the question is where to look for antique furniture?
Well, apart from auctions and dealers, you can still see the small section of your newspaper to see if the cabinets of everybody and go and check. You might even find a good deal that way. In addition, you will find many sites that sell antiques on the Internet or you can use the internet to know where you can go for bargains on antiques.
