Antique Furniture and Its Authenticity - How to know if it's real?
May 13, 2015It can be difficult to collect antique furniture, especially if you aren’t sure it’s the genuine article. So, how to know if it’s real? Antique furniture and its authenticity are difficult to judge, without knowing what to look for. However, one cannot deny that the possession of an antique piece complements any home décor and adds an undeniable sense of refinement to a home. Acquiring antiques can be somewhat difficult, especially due to their growing popularity and the demand of the home fit out industry. Quality antique reproductions are also everywhere, making it even more difficult to know if a piece of furniture is genuinely antique or not.
More often than not, antiques that can be obtained today are mostly reproductions. But there are some treasures that can still be found in the most unlikely of places, if only you know how to identify them. Antiques – the authentic ones at least, have tell-tale signs that help collectors and enthusiasts identify them. To help, here’s a quick guide to identifying antiques easily.
A Quick Guide on Identifying Antiques
Appearance – due to the lack of power-tools back in the day, antiques were all fashioned by hand, with the help of simple tools. This caused some degree of unevenness or a lack of uniformity in the whole piece. Minor errors, some nicks, and the inevitable dissymmetry of a piece are tell-tale signs that it is an authentic antique piece of furniture.
Most antique furniture reproductions are either too uniform or too refined, even if they do follow the style or aesthetic signatures of a certain period. If you find a piece that looks too good, chances are it is a reproduction.
Build – another tell-tale sign of authentic antique furniture is the build. It may come as a surprise to some people, but carpenter’s nails and finishing nails are only a recent innovation to furniture-making. Truly authentic, and often highly expensive, pieces were often joined by tendons between joints and then reinforced with animal or hide-based glue. Some pieces feature nails, but this tends to be rare and will usually fall into the repaired or restored category.
Patina – perhaps the most difficult, but nevertheless the most important tell-tale sign of authenticity is the furniture’s patina. Patina, when used to describe antiques, simply means the natural wear and tear, and the ensuing aesthetic charm that it develops overtime. True antique furniture will have uneven patination. Technically, more wear will occur in areas that experience the most friction, less where it remains barely touched. Darker patinas may occur in areas that are less exposed to sunlight, while lighter patination can be found in areas that are regularly exposed to sunlight.
If a piece has an even patina throughout, your best bet is that piece is a reproduction. For more information on antique furniture and its authenticity, and how to know if it’s real, please visit: http://www.lordsantiques.com.au
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