How to identify antique furniture?

Identifying antique furniture from the regular ones is an art. It is constructed in a special way and moreover, it has a special style that distinguishes it from the original pieces. One should be able to differentiate between the real and reproduced items.

It is not easy to identify antique furniture. The subject covers a wide area. Some may find it overwhelming and it can be confusing for some others. Obviously, one cannot visit an expert each time before buying an artefact therefore; one must learn a few basic tips to recognise the right piece.

Most of the antique dealers and novice collectors follow the below-given tricks to make the right decision. However, you can always buy antique furniture from an Indian Art gallery in London. 

Tips and Tricks

Examining the piece of furniture carefully is the first thing you should learn. 

1. Check if there is some signature or label from the maker of the artefact.
2. Make sure that each piece of the furniture is in the right proportion. For example, the legs of the cabinet can be out of balance, if it is perfectly balanced or not or if it is a furniture marriage. Marriage is a piece of furniture that is made by joining tow different pieces of furniture.
3. You should check the construction of joints. It can be a great way to identify its age.

• Until the late 1600s mortise-and-tenon joints were held together with handmade dowels or pegs.
• In 1700s glue replaced the dowels or pegs in order to make perfect dovetailed joints. The joints become more improved and refined by the mid of the 17th
• By the year 1860, a Knapp joint machine was developed. Different kinds of joints known as half-moon, pin, scallop and dowel we made.
• A machine-made perfect dovetail was constructed by the late 1800s and it completely replaced the Knapp's joints. The whole process took place with the start of the 19th

1. Until the beginning of the 18th century, furniture was made from hand-sawn wood. You can clearly see the visible saw marks on the furniture of that time. Later, the straight saw was replaced by the circular saw and the circular marks can be seen on the furniture.

To refine your research further, you need to study the following points as well.

• Timeline of furniture periods. What kind of furniture was made in which era?
• Detailed prescription of popular furniture styles and woods used in their construction.
• Furniture anatomy.

You can use these tips to identify and differentiate antique furniture.

• Kinds of woods
• Patina
• Handles of the cupboards and drawers
• Locks used
• Screws, pommels and nuts
• Veneers
• Marquetry
• Alterations
• Drawers