What's Old Is New Again - Antique Furniture

Antique furniture includes collectible interior furnishings of significant age. While antique furniture might be of considerable age, they can still be sturdy for everyday wear. Examples of antique furniture include beds, seats, doors, drawers, shelves, and clocks, which are all considered to be forms of decorative art. Since antique furniture are sold with high price tags, most antique furniture stores double up as restorers of these collectibles as well. Antique furniture restoration adds to the value of the piece.

Antique furniture comes in different styles and knowing the differences is vital to antique enthusiasts. The following are some of the different British and mainland European antique styles which can be useful for antique furniture buyers:

• Medieval – Romanesque style with rounded arches usually found on chests during the late 17th century. Gothic has paneled construction carved with linen-fold dating from 1480. The coronation chair at Westminster Abbey, which has a back, with pointed arches is an example.

• Elizabethan – Pieces from during the reign of Elizabeth in mid 15th century include designs with fat turnings with ionic capitals, solid inlay, carved caryatids, strap work, and split baluster turnings.

• Jacobean – 16th century style with geometric moldings, split balusters and bobbin-turnings.

• Restoration – Also known as Carolean, this late 16th century style features baroque with twist legs, carved scrolls, caned seats, and veneering.

• William and Mary – A late 16th throught early 17th century style featuring fine cabinetmaking, walnut and ebony veneers, and floral. Legs often have trumpet shapes or scrolled.

• Queen Anne – From 1702 to 1714, Queen Anne style is highlighted by cabriole leg with surfaces veneeredwith walnut.

Other styles include Early Gerogian (claw and ball feet), Mid Gerogian (mahogany, Chippendale, rib bon-back chairs, ornate gilt mirrors, con sole tables), Late Gerogian (vertical lines, ovals, circles, columns), Early Victorian (balloon-back chairs, asymmetrical chaises lounges on cabriole legs), Mid Victorian (eclectic), Late Victorian (mahogany with inlaid decoration), and Modernist and Art Deco.

With the popularity of antique furniture, there was a need to restore some of them to retain their luster and for antique furniture dealers to mark them with higher price tags. However, there are certain points that you have to consider if a piece of antique furniture has retained its quality. First, you check the color. The color finish should come close to the original intent such as those similar to mahogany for wood or bronze for metal products such as lamps. Second, most top collectors consider the worn-out, untouched paint, varnish, and oxidation of antique furniture beautiful. Finally, to check if the item is fake see if it has a non-refinished surface such as painting, paper, metal, wood, or textile. Old surfaces are very difficult to imitate.

Don’t be Fooled by Lookalikes

Learning the details above should help you as an antique buyer as to what you should look for before visiting antique furniture stores. These are essential especially if the antique furniture store also carries lookalikes or reproductions of antique furniture. There are also thousands of antique furniture stores online where you can choose and purchase different items. However, it is also recommended you to visit local stores so you can see the selection firsthand.