Antique Furniture Collectors & Buyers
Guide
Nothing
adds style and value to your home like a fine antique, especially a
carefully selected piece of antique
furniture that's both functional and beautiful. Choosing the perfect
antique
cabinet, antique
table, or antique
dresser to accent your home is easy and rewarding.
Discover Antique Furniture
Before purchasing antique
furniture, consider first how the pieces will match your home. If
your décor is contemporary, adding an ornate Victorian
object might not create the effect you want. Also, think a bit about
what your style is and what design periods can help you create the look
you like. Then have some fun, mixing and matching your favorite styles.
Choose items that are not only vintage or antique, but also
attractive and functional, such as chairs,
cabinets,
desks,
and dressers.
Additionally, incorporate antiques throughout your home. Almost every
living space can be enhanced by a piece of artisan furniture, from a
hand-planed bench
in the kitchen to a sturdy Mission
coffee table in the den to an elaborately gilded mirror in the
foyer. You can also give your home an antique look with reproduction
furniture. True antique furniture collectors, however, prefer real
period pieces from specific popular eras.
Explore your antique furniture options
Antique
furniture of every style and aesthetic is available through us, from
stately Gothic
headboards to modernist Eames
chairs. Narrowing down what you like and what will work best in your
home is the real fun.
Peruse our entire antique
furniture category, organized by object and style, to begin to
develop your own tastes and sense of style. You’ll probably discover
items you hadn’t ever considered. A few ideas to start with:
Some other types of items to consider in your new favorite old style
include antique
benches, antique
bookcases, antique
chaises, antique
cabinets, antique
sideboards, antique
stands, and antique
vanities.
Identify Antique Furniture &
Reproductions
True antique hunters search for beautifully
preserved objects d’art, armed with pins, magnifying glasses, and
levels. Many other home decorators aren’t as concerned about a
piece’s history or authenticity, opting for quality reproductions that
are more affordable. Both approaches are fine. Your challenge: making an
educated decision based on what’s important to you.
There are many ways to determine if a
piece of antique
furniture is a true piece of history or a clever reproduction.
-
Signs of age: Since wood shrinks over time, look for
signs of cracking, warping, and fading, as well as slightly ragged
edges (a sign of the old-fashioned, pre-motorized handsaw). Mirror
glass should be very thin and slightly warped. Look for notes of
this in seller descriptions.
-
Imperfections: From your review of the listing’s
images, try to determine if the piece’s boards are of varying
widths. Uniform board widths are a fairly modern invention.
As always, it’s important to get all the facts. If you have
questions about a specific piece, ask the seller. Most antique furniture
sellers are happy to provide you with additional details or photos of
the piece to help you make an informed decision.
Research Antique Furniture
Becoming knowledgeable
about antique
furniture takes research, even if you’re focusing on only one
aspect of this wide-ranging subject.
-
Establish value: Many collectors prefer specific eras,
styles, and makers, while others have more eclectic tastes. In
either case, an authentic piece’s value is most influenced by
its condition, rarity, and history.
-
Get an expert opinion: A trained eye is more likely to
find an undervalued treasure (or a clever masquerade) than a
novice. Stay informed about trends in the antiques market by
consulting important trade
publications.
-
Consider practical matters: Carefully review the size
and weight of each antique furniture piece you consider
purchasing. Shipping furniture can be a pricey proposition.
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