Antique Furniture Tips

Why do so many people love antique furniture? There are many reasons. For some, the craftsmanship and beauty is what draws them to pieces from ages past. Others enjoy the historical significance of collecting furniture from long ago. Still others may think of buying old furniture as an investment that could pay off in the future. No matter why you choose to enter the world of antiques, you are sure to find plenty of fulfillment shopping for and purchasing beautiful pieces of furniture.

Unlike other types of collectibles, furniture is normally collected according to time period rather than particular item. For example, no one wants to have just tables or just chairs from different time periods. The most popular way of collecting furniture from ages past is to choose your favorite time period and look for items from that period. There are plenty of different periods from which you can choose. For example, the Queen Anne period dates back to 1702-1714 and is characterized by delicate lines, excellent balance and a lack of excessive adornment. This is in contrast to the later Louis XV period which features gilding and intricate scrollwork.

In addition to time period, you may find that you have a particular building material you are most fond of. Most antiques are crafted from wood, although there are many different types of wood that you may come across. Rosewood is one such wood that was popular in Victorian times for many different types of furniture. Walnut was commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries. Beech was used from the 17th to 19th centuries as a popular wood for framing and for furniture that was to be painted. Once you know how to recognize different woods and their patinas, you will be more adept in spotting fakes.

On the subject of fakes, this is something that anyone wanting to collect antique furniture needs to know about. Unfortunately, there are reproductions that are sold as the real thing to unassuming customers. Sometimes, the seller is not even aware that the piece they are selling is not a real antique. Before you go shopping, it's a good idea to do some reading and research about the time period of furniture you are in the market for. By understanding the characteristics that define real antiques as well as fakes, you can often distinguish a real antique from a reproduction.

 



Antique Furniture News:
Antiques valuation evening (Bury Times)
PARK Farm in Walmersley, Bury, is hosting a free antique valuation service event next Tuesday between 4.30pm and 6.30pm...

Don't replace furniture you value, repair it (Spartanburg Herald-Journal)
Emily Pettit, owner of Emily Jane Creations, works on a custom-fit slipcover for a chair. She pins the fabric on the chair to ensure a snug fit before she sews the cover...

RHOADS & RHOADS AUCTION CENTER SPRING CITY PA. EXTRAORDINARY ART & ANTIQUE AUCTION SATURDAY, MARCH 13TH 9:00 A.M. (Antiques and the Arts)
SNOW DATE SUNDAY MARCH 14TH PREVIEW: Friday March 12th 1 to 4 P.M...

Are YOU Looking for ANTIQUE BABY FURNITURE ? Here's Antique .
Official Site of antique baby furniture . Read up the info about antique furniture for baby, and learn more about it!..

Recession slows antique sales; eye still on collectibles and items to get new uses (Lamorinda Sun)
After several months of recession-related slow sales, many local antique stores are dusting themselves off and enjoying a rebound in business. Several dealers experienced surprisingly strong sales during the holiday season, and the trend is continuing...

FUJIAN CHEST ANTIQUE ASIAN CHINESE FURNITURE | Classical Furniture
Very beautiful veneer pattern, which is continuously extending over the french country antique furniture three drawers. The chest is worked up and therefore in a good condition. Width approx 102cm. Height approx 83cm ...

LARGE ANTIQUE MIRROR, WALNUT, BIEDERMEIER! | Classical Furniture
antique photography in the antique italian pottery makers Practitioners The photo shows the antique furniture style domestic science school in 1894 in Alzey. The frameless glass holder has a beautiful Facettschliff Dimensions 17 x 11 cm ...

LDS Church exhibitor shares tips on preserving family furniture in a throw-away world (Deseret News)
On MormonTimes.com: Larry Montgomery specializes in preserving, repairing, and reproducing antique furniture. He spoke on...

Gauguin work on sale for 25 million euros at Dutch fair (AFP via Yahoo! News)
The world's biggest antique fair opened its doors Friday to collectors and the curious in the southern Dutch city of Maastricht with a rare Paul Gauguin painting in the spotlight, organisers said...

Technorati Tags: