If antiquing is something you enjoy, you have a lot of company. Yard sales and flea markets always draw big crowds. You never know when you are going to find something rare and under priced in the midst of cheap reproductions. If modern decor doesn't interest you and old tables and chairs do, experts have some tips for evaluating country and town house antique furniture Kensington shops have for sale.
If you want to know if you're looking at an genuinely old piece, you need to check the construction. The dovetails will tell you a lot. If you see them, the piece was probably handmade. If the dovetails are large, that indicates the rustic workmanship of a country craftsman. Smaller dovetails take more expertise. When you see these, you know the piece was created by a highly skilled craftsman. Pieces that are nailed and glued together are factory made and more modern.
Most painters sign their works. It is rarer to find a table or chair signed by the creator. You can find manufacturer labels and stamps on furnishings however. You should look for these on the bottoms and backs of dresser drawers. Stamps and labels on tables and chairs are most likely found on their backs and bottoms.
You should certainly inspect any piece you are interested in for damage. The areas on a chair or dresser that get the most wear are where you are likely to see repairs or replacements. You should check the backs of wood chairs to see if the center supports have been replaced. On dressers, the feet tend to wear out first.
You should be less concerned about cracks. Old wood has had time to expand and contract. That's what causes the cracks and why experts say they usually don't negatively affect the value.
Experts have different opinions when it comes to the subject of refinishing. If you want pieces that are completely authentic, you won't be buying tables or chairs that have been refinished. Original wood on old furniture is generally purplish or black in color. The varnish is often crackled because it's been exposed to heat over time.
There are others who argue that the discoloration and crackling are not what the craftsman intended for his pieces. They would have been shiny when new. The discolorations disguise the beauty of the wood according to this school of thought. Before you refinish any old piece, you have to decide if reducing the value of the piece matters to you. Once a piece is refinished, it may not be as valuable, and it can't be restored.
There are plenty of people who love antiques but don't live in areas where they are easy to find. Shopping online for antiques is perfectly fine according to experts, as long as you know who you are dealing with. There are trustworthy and reputable auction houses that take online bids in the course of a live auction. They can often provide details about pieces that point to their authenticity.
If you want to know if you're looking at an genuinely old piece, you need to check the construction. The dovetails will tell you a lot. If you see them, the piece was probably handmade. If the dovetails are large, that indicates the rustic workmanship of a country craftsman. Smaller dovetails take more expertise. When you see these, you know the piece was created by a highly skilled craftsman. Pieces that are nailed and glued together are factory made and more modern.
Most painters sign their works. It is rarer to find a table or chair signed by the creator. You can find manufacturer labels and stamps on furnishings however. You should look for these on the bottoms and backs of dresser drawers. Stamps and labels on tables and chairs are most likely found on their backs and bottoms.
You should certainly inspect any piece you are interested in for damage. The areas on a chair or dresser that get the most wear are where you are likely to see repairs or replacements. You should check the backs of wood chairs to see if the center supports have been replaced. On dressers, the feet tend to wear out first.
You should be less concerned about cracks. Old wood has had time to expand and contract. That's what causes the cracks and why experts say they usually don't negatively affect the value.
Experts have different opinions when it comes to the subject of refinishing. If you want pieces that are completely authentic, you won't be buying tables or chairs that have been refinished. Original wood on old furniture is generally purplish or black in color. The varnish is often crackled because it's been exposed to heat over time.
There are others who argue that the discoloration and crackling are not what the craftsman intended for his pieces. They would have been shiny when new. The discolorations disguise the beauty of the wood according to this school of thought. Before you refinish any old piece, you have to decide if reducing the value of the piece matters to you. Once a piece is refinished, it may not be as valuable, and it can't be restored.
There are plenty of people who love antiques but don't live in areas where they are easy to find. Shopping online for antiques is perfectly fine according to experts, as long as you know who you are dealing with. There are trustworthy and reputable auction houses that take online bids in the course of a live auction. They can often provide details about pieces that point to their authenticity.
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