| Many people love to add beautiful, old furniture to | | | | periods and if the track is slightly uneven it is a good |
| their homes but some are not sure how to tell if | | | | indication that the piece was handmade. Most of the |
| something is truly antique. Having a home filled with | | | | pieces that were made before 1900 will have the |
| antiques is good way to have a truly unique home, | | | | dovetail joints on the drawers. The drawers should |
| unlike other people's home you may have seen. | | | | be easy to open without sticking or giving any kind |
| Antiques are defined as pieces that are 100 years old | | | | of resistance. |
| or more. The most popular pieces come from the | | | | Check the handles and screws, if they look modern |
| Edwardian and Victorian periods along with the | | | | they probably are. It is not necessarily a bad thing if |
| Georgian and regency. | | | | the handles and screws/nails were replaced through |
| When looking to buy an antique for your home the | | | | the years unless the hardware does not match up |
| first thing you need to do before you buy is exam it | | | | with the piece. Also, look for any screws or nails that |
| closely. Make sure that you are looking it over under | | | | may be visible, if they are this is also a good |
| good, bright lighting and if the weather permits take | | | | indication that the piece was refurbished is a shoddy |
| it outside Make sure that the colorations on the | | | | manner. |
| sides, the top and the bottom match up. Normal | | | | If you have to, ask the dealer if they can hold it for |
| wear and tear is fine but make sure that the piece | | | | you until you get back. Go grab a friend who knows |
| was not redone in a sloppy manner. If the dealer | | | | more about antiques or whose taste in furniture you |
| gets offended by your thorough examination, its | | | | would trust. Have the friend go back to the shop |
| time for you to walk away. | | | | with you and tell you what they think of the piece. |
| Next you should make sure that the piece is solid. In | | | | However, if the dealer will not hold the piece for you |
| other words make sure it does not rock back and | | | | ask yourself if it is really worth spending the money |
| forth or from side to side. If the piece you are | | | | on it now and finding out later that it wasn't worth it. |
| looking at is a chair, sit on it and move around. If the | | | | When it comes to buying antiques you should never |
| chair moves with you it means something is loose | | | | purchase for investment purposes unless you know |
| and needs a little bit of handy work. If the piece is a | | | | exactly what you are doing. Most of the time you |
| table or of the such, place your hand on the corner | | | | can get the money you paid for the piece back buy |
| of it and shake it gently. | | | | reselling it but it is quite unlikely that you will get back |
| If the piece has drawers, take one out and give it a | | | | much more than you paid for it. |
| good look over. Certain tracks are from different | | | | |