Recognizing antique furniture: How to find hidden treasures and value

How to recognize valuable furniture

Old furniture often holds treasures – but how can you tell if it's truly valuable or merely pretty to look at? It's especially difficult for laypeople to distinguish between the two. So before parting with old pieces, it's worth taking a closer look. This blog post will help you discover the hidden value in your old furniture.

What should you pay attention to when buying old furniture?

Style alone is not decisive.

While an appealing style is certainly an indicator of special furniture, it's often not the sole criterion for value. Many styles have been copied repeatedly over the decades. For example, an 18th-century Queen Anne chair might appear to be a valuable original, but could simply be a reproduction. To ensure you don't make a mistake, you should take a closer look.

Some of the most copied furniture styles:

• Queen Anne (1720–1760)
• Chippendale (1755–1790)
• Rococo (1845–1870)

Check dovetail joints

One important detail to look out for is the so-called dovetail joints. These wooden joints often indicate whether a piece of furniture was handcrafted or machine-made.

• Handcrafted joints : Irregular and unique.
• Machine-made connections : Perfect and consistently uniform.

If you discover irregularities, it could be an old, handmade piece of furniture.

The importance of expert opinions

Get several opinions

If you suspect your furniture might be valuable, a professional appraisal is worthwhile. Antique experts can often recognize the value of a piece at a glance.

Tips for expert reports:

• Get several opinions : The value of a piece of furniture can vary greatly.
• Consider the condition and rarity : these factors significantly influence the market value.

Thorough inspection of the furniture

Does everything fit together?

Another criterion is the type of wood and its processing. In the past, it was more difficult to find suitable pieces of wood, which led to irregularities in color and grain.

References to antiques:

• Irregularities in wood color and grain : an indication of handcrafted work.
• Perfect interplay : May indicate modern, industrial production.

Looking for labels and stamps

Many antique pieces of furniture bear clues to their manufacture, such as engraved dates, labels, or stamps.

• Genuine markings : Often worn, showing signs of age.
• New labels : No reliable indication of authenticity.

Original condition vs. restoration

Prefer original surfaces

Furniture that has retained its original surface is generally more valuable than restored pieces.

Key points:

• Refurbished furniture : Visually appealing, but usually less valuable.
• Painted furniture : Removing the paint can reduce its value.

If you are looking for a new table or a custom-made tabletop, pay attention to the quality and originality of the wood.

Screws and bolts – Small details, big message

Old screws as an indicator

Even the screws on a piece of furniture can provide clues about its age.

Characteristics of old screws:

• Handmade slotted screws : Irregular, with flat edges and blunt tips.
• Modern screws : Perfectly shaped, tapered.

Rarity and rarity

The rarer, the more valuable

The rarity of a piece of furniture often determines its value. Furniture made over 100 years ago has rarely survived, which increases its market value.

• Check availability : Rare furniture is often in higher demand.
• Original pieces are more valuable than replicas , especially in limited productions.

Conclusion: The value of your furniture

Whether it's an antique table, a chest of drawers or an old cabinet – the true value of your furniture can often only be determined after a thorough inspection.

Important instructions:

• Pay attention to details : dovetails, screws, labels and surface treatment are crucial.
• Obtain a professional valuation : This helps to realistically assess the market value.

Would you like to replace your old furniture with something new? The Uzun furniture workshop offers custom-made furniture pieces that meet your requirements.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Antique Furniture

1. How can I determine the value of my old furniture?

Begin with a thorough examination for original parts and handcrafted joints such as dovetails. Then consult an antiques expert for a professional appraisal.

2. How can I tell if a piece of furniture is an antique?

Look for irregular dovetail joints, handmade screws, and labels or stamps indicating the year of manufacture. Furniture with these characteristics is often genuine antique.

3. Will restoration reduce the value of my furniture?

Yes, restoration can decrease value, especially if the original finish has been altered. Refurbished furniture is usually less valuable than furniture in its original condition.

4. Are painted pieces of furniture valuable?

Usually not. Removing the paint can damage the piece of furniture and significantly reduce its value. Original, unpainted surfaces are generally more valuable.

5. How do I know if my piece of furniture is made of rare wood?

Check if wood types such as walnut, maple, or cherry were used. These are often more expensive and can increase the value of your piece of furniture.

6. Which screws indicate old furniture?

Handmade slotted screws are a sign of old furniture. They often have flat edges, blunt tips, and a cylindrical shape – unlike modern, conical screws.

7. How do I distinguish original surfaces from restored ones?

Original surfaces often show signs of wear and irregularities. Restored furniture often has uniform, new-looking surfaces, which can diminish the piece's value.

8. What makes a piece of furniture rare and valuable?

The fewer pieces of a particular type of furniture that exist today, the more valuable it can be. Furniture from limited production runs or with special features such as handcrafted embellishments is especially rare and valuable.

9. Where can I find custom-made furniture?

At the Uzun furniture workshop you will find high-quality, custom-made furniture pieces that meet your individual requirements.

10. Are replicas valuable?

Generally not. Replicas often look like originals, but they don't have the same historical value and are therefore usually cheaper to buy on the market.

Alternatively: Buy a ready-made table directly.

If you don't want to build a table yourself, you can either choose a high-quality tabletop or buy a ready-made table.

Solid wood tabletops

Discover our range of tabletops in various types of wood:

Table tops made of solid wood in oak or ash

• Table tops made of solid wood in oak or ash
• Tabletop in oak
• Tabletop in ash
• Washbasin countertops

Finished tables made of solid wood

Our finished solid wood tables offer various options, including different legs and wood types such as oak and ash:

Ready-made tables made of solid wood in oak or ash

• Ready-made tables made of solid wood in oak or ash
• Oak table with straight legs
• Oak table with spider legs
• Oak table with X-shaped legs
• Ash table