| We all dream of finding that perfect piece of antique | | | | The patina of a certain object indicates its use; for |
| furniture at the yard sale or auction, but remember | | | | instance, there may be spots where the antique |
| that you'll only make that purchase if you can | | | | furniture itself is often lifted or handled. If you notice |
| recognize its worth in the first place! While only a | | | | that the patina is unnaturally uniform and even, |
| professional appraiser will be able to get the real | | | | someone might have been trying to gloss over some |
| story on a particular piece of furniture, you'll find that | | | | flaws or create an aged look that doesn't really |
| by just keeping a few pieces of information in mind, | | | | belong to that piece of furniture. |
| you will stand a fighting chance the next time you | | | | How is the antique furniture constructed? Recognize |
| come across a great piece of antique furniture! | | | | the joints and the use of techniques like dovetailing |
| First, make sure that you are familiar with the styles | | | | and mortise and tenon joins. These will obviously be |
| that you like. Do you have a love for Chippendale, or | | | | older than furniture that has been glued or screwed |
| do you have a real love of Shaker pieces? If you are | | | | together, but if you see screws, don't forget to |
| looking for specific pieces, make sure that you are | | | | check it out. The older and simpler the screw itself, |
| well versed in the commonalities and motifs of the | | | | the more likely it is that you have a genuine antique |
| style; this is the best way to make sure that one | | | | on your hands. |
| doesn't escape your grasp. | | | | Recognize and make sure that the piece hasn't been |
| When you are looking for antique furniture, learn to | | | | "married." A "married" piece, in terms of antique |
| recognize veneering. Essentially, this process involves | | | | furniture, means that two pieces of furniture have |
| making the "carcass" of a piece of furniture out of a | | | | been put together for one reason or another, |
| less expensive wood and then using thin slices of a | | | | whether that is decoration or utility. While this may |
| more desirable wood to cover it. While this may have | | | | not detract from the appearance of a piece, it can |
| started out as a money saving device, furniture | | | | certainly make it less valuable. Look for obviously |
| makers soon started utilizing the natural grain of the | | | | newer joints or screws, or a strong difference in the |
| wood, and you'll find some wonderful examples of | | | | patina of one wood to the other. |
| how this grain was incorporated into the design. | | | | Whether antique furniture is a hobby or a job for |
| The second thing you should look for is the patina. | | | | you, remember to keep on looking and apply your |
| The patina is essentially the gloss that a piece of | | | | brain to making sure that you get the best buys |
| antique furniture gets from an accumulation of dirt | | | | possible! |
| and polish and this is nearly impossible to replicate. | | | | |