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“Antique” is a word thrown around in conversation, splashed across sales windows, and generally misused. Today we offer some explanations and examples on the topic of antique furniture. By definition, an antique is any piece of furniture or décor valued for its age and rarity: condition, utility, and other unique features also add to the item’s collectability.

In the United States, antique furniture must be at least 100 years old. Mass production began around 1830, and a tariff in 1930 set the 100-year mark. In Europe, items designated as antiques were handmade (before 1832 and Industrial Revolution). Overall the consensus is that items made since the mid-nineteenth century are considered vintage, period, or collectible. Then that means a collectible is less than 100 years old, and an antique is over 100.

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Antique Queen Anne Walnut English Curio Display Cabinet

According to a 1993 trade agreement, an antique must be less than 50% restored or refinished as long as the piece’s “essential character” is unchanged. So, an antique must be rare, over 100 years old, and less than half restored while retaining its original, essential character.

Be Your Own Appraiser
As we have said many times before, a seasoned shopper knows to look for types of finish and provenance (proof of authenticity). A great place to begin is with joinery: simply take out a drawer to inspect one of the corner joints. If there are multiple dovetails cut with precision, the piece isn’t an antique. Remember that joinery would have been constructed by hand. If there are fewer, larger dovetails in the joint with less than perfect cuts, the piece could be an antique.

Age detection is always a great starting place. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Are the dimensions all perfectly even? (shrinkage from aging is inevitable)
  • Are there signs of aging: tiny cracks, ripples, warping, buckling, discoloring from sunlight (often uneven shades), or wear and tear?
  • Are the screw heads flat without tapering? (If so, they were made during or before the early 1800s)
  • Are there subtle differences around edges, panels, or feet? (Replacements and refurbishments are common in aged pieces)

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Antique Golden Oak French Center Dining Table

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Antique English Rare Assortment of 16 Glass Bottles

Other signs of age involve edging differences (ragged from handsaws versus smooth from power saws), nail or screw holes filled in since original construction, and different types of assembly methods (tongue-and-groove is newer than earlier plank styles). A certain amount of historical sleuthing and research are major parts of being your own appraiser. Remember to take your time. Avoid antique shopping if you are in a hurry. There is no greater tragedy for a collector than a poorly studied, rushed transaction.