Antiques are hot. And anything that is hot is likely to be reproduced. Not knowing how to tell the difference between something that was made a hundred years ago and something similar that was made last year can lead to buyer burnout. With the prices paid for many antiques, it could be a serious burn.
Here are some ways to tell if it's a real antique:
- Expect to find signs of age on an older piece, such as boards separating at the seam gap. A new piece will look flat and smooth on top. Other indications include:black marks that indicate there has been water on the piece at some point (perhaps from a plant), nicks and bumps in the corners, and even wormholes (but make sure a worm, not a drill, have done)..
- Look closely at the hardware to see if it shows any legitimate signs of age.
- Each piece of hardware in an antique should also differ at least slightly from the others, while the hardware in a new piece will be regular, so regular that it's too "old".
- Pull out all the drawers and examine the bottoms and sides. An antique will have irregular dovetail joints, while a new part will have perfect joints, cut by a computer-aided machine.
- A single slotted screw is another sign of age.
- Also examine the drawer runner for signs of wear:the indication that it has been opened thousands of times over the years.
- Other indications that a piece of wood furniture is a recent brand include consistent colors, factory rounded corners, and modern screws. Another thing to keep in mind:the smell. A new piece just smells newer.
- In general, square nails and wormholes together in a piece of furniture would indicate an antique. But someone could build a new piece with old nails or use old wood with new nails, so take a good look.
- An antique store may offer the luxury of having valued pieces, but that is unlikely at an auction or flea market. When you have a part appraised, be sure to pay a per-part appraisal fee. Don't get stuck in a situation paying a percentage of the item's value to have it appraised, otherwise the appraiser might be tempted to bump the price up a bit.
- There is a way to know if an antique has been restored, and this is very important, because antiques with an original finish are worth more than the same antiques that have been restored. Turn the piece upside down or on its back and look for drops and runs that indicate the piece has been worked.
