| Many people unknowingly own or purchase valuable | | | | as this was impossible to achieve when working |
| pieces of antique furniture. It is helpful for those who | | | | solely by hand. These pieces are imperfect and small |
| frequently attend garage sales to learn how to | | | | details can usually be spotted, such as rungs and |
| recognize an antique piece. Although dealers and | | | | spindles that are not uniform, or shapes that vary |
| serious collectors are best able to distinguish a | | | | somewhat. Machine-cut pieces are reproduced |
| genuine piece of furniture from a replica, a few small | | | | identically. |
| bits of knowledge can go a long way. | | | | Another way to identify an antique is by examining |
| Handypersons often like to purchase old pieces of | | | | the finish. Oil, wax, and milk paint were used on the |
| furniture for refinishing purposes. Since most antiques | | | | earliest pieces and eventually replaced by Shellac. By |
| are best left in their original state, many experts | | | | the mid-1800s, lacquer and varnish became popular |
| recommend finding out the value of a particular piece | | | | finishes, helping to date a later piece. It is possible to |
| before engaging in any modifications. It is better to | | | | test for various finishes, much to the dismay of |
| spend a few dollars on an expert opinion than to | | | | dealers. If a Shellac finish is dabbed with alcohol, it will |
| destroy a piece of furniture that could be worth | | | | dissolve. |
| hundreds or thousands of dollars. | | | | Oak represents most of the oldest pieces of |
| English and American Colonial designs are common, | | | | furniture, prior to 1700. With the turn of the 18th |
| but because these styles embrace a broad range of | | | | Century, mahogany and walnut dominated the |
| details, it can be hard to delineate. Regardless of the | | | | woodworking world. Pine has always been a popular |
| style, there are ways to tell if a piece is antique. | | | | choice for American products because it is plentiful |
| Furniture components were not machine-cut until | | | | and easy to manipulate. More valuable pieces can also |
| about 1860, so examining the drawers can provide | | | | be found in maple, walnut and cherry. |
| tell-tale signs. If the drawer was constructed using | | | | Quality and condition are the final important factors |
| handmade dovetails, it was produced prior to that | | | | to consider when shopping for antique furniture. |
| time. Older pieces also required the use of hand tools, | | | | Pieces constructed by a particular designer may be |
| such as planes and draw-knives, which left nicks and | | | | declared valuable, regardless of their age or condition. |
| marks in the wood. | | | | However, in most cases, original components in great |
| True antiques do not often display exact symmetry, | | | | condition equal higher worth. |