Vintage Antique

Antique Furniture Basics

Written by admin on August 20, 2008 – 7:39 pm -

By: Simon Oldman
Antiques may be of many different kinds and of all the antique
collectibles and furniture happens to be the most popular and
practical choice. Antique furniture is distinct from other
categories of antiques in the sense that no one collects the
same type of object repeatedly. It means that you would not want
to buy and collect only tables or chests and fill up your home
with everything 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.)

Once you are acquainted with the basics, go to as many antique
furniture dealers and auctions as you possibly can. When
inspecting the merchandise, don’t hesitate in pulling out
drawers, getting down on your knees to look at the underside of
tabletops or lifting chairs to have a look at their legs. If you
don’t 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 features are significant when determining the
age, authenticity, quality and worth or price of antique
furniture:

I> Color and Patina: Patina is the glow of the wood after years
of accumulation of wax polish and dirt. A rich subtle color is
also an important characteristic of antique furniture.

II> Proportion: A disproportionate piece of furniture may well
be a “marriage” of different parts from different furniture.

III> Construction: Before the late 17th century, furniture was
made using mortise and tendon joints and pegs were handmade.

IV> Condition: Do not ignore pieces with marks or blemishes as
the wood has not been damaged. A good restorer can undo surface
spots. Antique Furniture in it original pristine condition is
worth the highest price.

V> 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 always check the
classifieds section in the paper to see if anybody’s selling
furniture and go check it out. You might even find a good
bargain this way. Also, you will find many sites that sell
antique furniture on the internet or you could use the internet
to find out where you could go to get good deals on antique
furniture.

Simon Oldmann has been experimenting with internet auction sites for some years now, he is writing about his experience in researching and buying Antiques online, Simon writes articles antiques.zupatips.com/

Posted in Furniture |