| How do you distinguish the differences between | | | | single type of wood. Upholstery may be stuffed with |
| vintage furniture and a true antique? The easiest | | | | horsehair or hay. |
| way is to consult a dealer or serious collector. But | | | | One way to distinguish the difference between |
| there are a few things you can look for that will help | | | | vintage and antique furniture is by examining drawers. |
| you identify some of the differences. | | | | Furniture parts were not machine-cut until 1860, so a |
| WHAT IS VINTAGE FURNITURE? | | | | drawer that was constructed using hand-made |
| The term "vintage" is often used loosely just to | | | | dovetails was produced prior to that. Nicks and marks |
| mean "old". There's more to vintage furniture than | | | | may have been left in the wood from using hand |
| that. One way to define vintage is "representing the | | | | tools such as planes and draw-knives. |
| highest quality of a past time". | | | | True antiques have been created solely by hand and |
| Vintage furniture is usually very well made with a | | | | are imperfect. Small details and imperfections may be |
| great attention to detail. It's characterized by | | | | spotted, such as rungs and spindles that may not be |
| maturity and a sense of appeal that withstands the | | | | uniform. Once furniture began being created by |
| test of time. A wide range of furniture styles can be | | | | machine, pieces were reproduced identically. Also, |
| considered vintage. Some furniture sellers use this | | | | wood shrinks with age so a true antique piece will |
| term to refer to all sorts of furniture, including | | | | not have uniform dimensions. |
| modern. It is used to describe originals and | | | | The finish on an old piece of furniture offers another |
| reproductions that can't be identified as antique. | | | | clue as to whether it's a true antique. Oil and wax |
| Some modern pieces are acknowledged as classics of | | | | were used on the oldest pieces of furniture and later |
| the twentieth century and are labeled "vintage | | | | replaced by shellac. Lacquer and varnish became |
| classics". | | | | popular in the mid-1800s. |
| WHAT MAKES A PIECE OF FURNITURE ANTIQUE? | | | | An antique is an investment, and it will continue to |
| A piece of furniture is considered antique if it was | | | | gain value with time. Both vintage and antique |
| created at least one hundred years before the date | | | | furniture pieces are well made and usually of excellent |
| of purchase. It is a unique piece of furniture that has | | | | quality. Before you make any modifications, make |
| been left in its original state. Some people may like to | | | | sure you find out whether a piece of furniture is truly |
| buy old pieces of furniture with the purpose of | | | | an antique. Many people purchase valuable pieces at |
| refinishing them, but it is a good idea to find out their | | | | yard sales without even realizing their value. If you |
| true value before making any changes. | | | | suspect a piece may be a true antique, consult an |
| HOW DO YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN VINTAGE | | | | antique expert. You may want to have the furniture |
| FURNITURE AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE? | | | | appraised to find out its actual value, particularly |
| Authentic antique items are usually not made with a | | | | before altering it in any way. |