When it comes to the furniture in your home, the question of whether it’s antique is more than just a matter of curiosity—it can reveal fascinating history, impact its value, and change the way you appreciate your space. But how do you know if that dresser, chair, or table you’ve inherited or found is truly an antique?
In this post, we’ll walk you through some key steps to help you identify whether your furniture could be a genuine antique or simply a vintage or retro piece.
What Makes Furniture ‘Antique’?
First, let’s define what qualifies as an antique. Typically, furniture is considered antique if it’s over 100 years old. However, some people mistakenly think that anything “old” is antique. While vintage and retro furniture may be charming and collectible, they don’t fall into the same category.
Antique: Over 100 years old.
Vintage: Around 50–100 years old.
Retro: Refers to furniture styles that mimic earlier decades, typically less than 50 years old.
Signs Your Furniture Might Be Antique
So how can you tell if your piece is antique? Here are some key indicators to help you figure it out:
Craftsmanship: Hand-Carved vs. Machine-Made Older furniture, especially from before the 20th century, was often handcrafted. Look for irregularities in carvings or hand-finished surfaces, as this can indicate the work was done by hand rather than machine. Machine-made furniture became more common after the Industrial Revolution, so if you spot perfectly symmetrical, identical designs, it may be more modern.
Materials: Wood, Metal, and Finishes Antique furniture is often made from solid wood like mahogany, oak, or walnut. You’ll also want to look at the metal hardware—older pieces may have brass or iron hardware that shows signs of wear, such as oxidation or patina. If the screws or nails look too modern, that might be a clue the piece has been repaired or is a reproduction.
Joinery: Dovetail Joints and More Pay attention to how the furniture is constructed. Antique furniture was often joined using dovetail or mortise-and-tenon techniques, which didn’t require nails or screws. Handmade dovetail joints will often look uneven or asymmetrical, a sign they were cut by hand. This is a major indicator of age.
Wear and Patina: The Beauty of Age Natural aging is one of the best indicators that furniture is antique. Look for areas where hands, feet, or objects have worn the surface smooth over time, as well as uneven coloration or patina in the wood. These subtle signs of wear can’t easily be faked, making them a great clue when evaluating age.
Labels and Marks: Maker’s Marks and Stamps If you’re lucky, your furniture might have a label or stamp identifying the maker or manufacturer. These can be a treasure trove of information. Many 19th-century and earlier furniture makers stamped or signed their pieces, and researching these marks can help confirm the age and origin of your piece.
Style and Design: Recognizing Periods Familiarize yourself with different furniture styles from various eras, such as Victorian, Georgian, Art Deco, or Mid-Century Modern. Each of these periods has distinctive features in design, material, and craftsmanship. Recognizing these styles can offer clues to whether a piece might be antique.
Where to Look for More Clues
Even after checking for the signs above, you might still be unsure about the age of your furniture. Here are a few more ways to gather information:
Ask about its history: If the piece has been passed down in your family or was purchased at an estate sale, see if you can track down its story. Family lore or sales records can provide valuable clues.
Consult antique guides: There are plenty of online resources and reference books that can help you identify antique furniture styles and makers.
Get a professional opinion: Sometimes, the best way to be sure is to have an expert evaluate your piece. At Afternoon Estate Sales, we can help you determine if your furniture is an antique and even assist in selling it at your estate sale if you’re interested.
Conclusion
Knowing whether your furniture is antique can open a window into the past and add sentimental and financial value to your pieces. By learning to recognize key signs such as craftsmanship, materials, and wear, you can begin to identify whether a piece might be a true antique. And if you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to seek professional help to ensure you have all the facts.
Should you have an interest in selling antiques at your estate sale, please do not hesitate to contact us at Afternoon Estate Sales for professional advice and support.