How to Spot a Piece of Antique Furniture

There are certain features to look for when trying to determine the age of a piece of furniture and whether it is an antique. Antiques are items that are at least 100 years old, so expect obvious signs such as normal wear and tear. There are other less familiar methods to help establish the age of an article of furniture, such as how the piece was built, what tools were used, measurements and the type of hardware used in construction. Separately, this evidence is inconclusive, but taken together these factors help judge the age of the piece.

1. First: Check out the construction

   Look at the underside of the piece of furniture or the backside of the drawers using a flashlight to see if there are marks from a circular saw or if the saw marks are straight. If there is evidence of the use of a circular saw, the piece was built after 1850, if the saw marks are straight, it was made prior to then. The corners of drawers and doors of antique furniture are dovetailed together. A single large dovetail could signify an early 18th century piece. Smaller dovetails were used by the 19th century to join drawers together.

2. Second: Take the measurements of round tables

   Wood shrinks over time, but only in one direction, so round tables are no longer round. Using a tape measure, first measure the table across from left to right, and then measure it from top to bottom. There is a noticeable difference if the table is old.

3. Third: Examine the hardware

   Look at the nails, specifically the nail heads. If possible, remove one and examine it closely or use a magnifying glass. A nail head that is imperfectly square and worn thin could indicate construction prior to 1820. Check out the screws. An off-center slot can signify a handmade screw, and handmade screws saw use until approximately 1815. Recognize which types of hardware were used during different eras. If it is the original hardware, this helps determine the age of the furniture.