Is the Table You Inherited from Great Aunt Velma a Rococo Revival or a Reproduction

American Rococo Revival center table from the third quarter of the 19th century. It features rosewood, white marble with flowers, scrollwork, finials, and cabriole legs on casters. It sold for $3,500 in January 2021.

Fontaines Auction

Assessing whether your furniture is collectible or contemporary involves careful observation, a basic knowledge of historical styles, and some understanding of furniture construction techniques. Antique furniture, typically over 100 years old, is often hand-crafted with a level of detail that is difficult to replicate today.

When determining whether your piece is fabulous or faux, examine the craftsmanship. Look for signs of hand-carving, dovetail joints, and other traditional joinery methods that suggest the piece was made before modern fasteners or electric tools. With its uniformity and precision, machine-made furniture became common in the late 19th century, so any irregularities in the construction could indicate an older piece.

This pin-and-cove dovetail joint on this Eastlake dresser dates to 1890-1900.

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Another key indicator that your piece may be antique is the type of materials used. Older pieces are often made from solid wood, such as oak, mahogany, or walnut. They may have veneers of these woods applied to less expensive wood underneath. The aging process typically gives these woods a rich patina—a soft sheen that develops over time—that is hard to replicate with newer finishes. Additionally, older furniture might show signs of wear in areas where hands or bodies have regularly touched, like armrests or the edges of tabletops, which is a good sign of genuine age.

This Windsor chair, ca. 1800-1820, shows its age, especially in the seat, where bodies have left their impressions throughout its 200 years of use.

Lonestar Merchantile

Style is also an essential aspect when identifying antique furniture. Style guides can help identify popular furniture styles of different historical periods, such as Queen Anne, Georgian, Victorian, or Art Nouveau. Each style has distinct characteristics, like specific shapes, decorative motifs, and proportions. By comparing these features to your furniture, you can narrow down the period it was likely made. However, remember that furniture styles often evolved gradually, sometimes overlapping, and a piece may have elements from more than one period, especially if made during a transitional time.

Another critical factor is the hardware and fittings on your furniture. Original hardware, like drawer pulls, hinges, and locks, can be a telltale sign of an antique. Older furniture often features handmade hardware with slight imperfections, while more modern pieces tend to have uniform, machine-made fittings. Screws, nails, and other fasteners can also offer clues; for example, screws with uneven slots or hand-forged nails often indicate a pre-industrial age of manufacture. If the hardware appears too new, it may have been replaced, or the furniture might be a reproduction.

The type of nails used in constructing antique furniture can often be a clue to its age.

Finally, consider the provenance and any markings or labels on the furniture. Provenance refers to the history of ownership, and pieces with documented origins, such as those passed down through generations or purchased from reputable antique dealers, are more likely to be genuine antiques. Some furniture may also have maker’s marks, labels, or stamps that can help identify the manufacturer and period. However, beware of forgeries. Some pieces might have markings added or be the recipient of a number of aging techniques designed to deceive buyers.

C. Hindley and Sons were cabinet makers in London from 1820 – 1892. This mark is commonly found on their furniture.

Antiques Atlas

Identifying antique furniture requires a keen eye for craftsmanship, materials, and design details that reflect the era of its creation. By understanding critical characteristics like joinery, wood type, and stylistic elements, you can distinguish genuine antiques from modern reproductions and appreciate the history behind each piece.

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How To Identify Antique Furniture Styles

Antique and Vintage Furniture Glossary

To Refinish or Not to Refinish: The Great Antique Furniture Debate

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