How Can You Tell If Furniture Is Antique Or Reproduction

Remember not everything will have a makers mark so dont give up hope if you can.

How can you tell if furniture is antique or reproduction. Considered antique furniture- I cannot speak for just furniture but generally anything antique needs to be at least 100 years old. Machine-cut furniture wasnt made until about 1860. Reproductions are symmetrical smooth and the flaws are contrived rather than authentic.

If you dont see hand cut dovetails Its a reproduction. Etons of Bath can help point you in the right direction. Look for signs of age.

Chippendale is a style of furniture that was crafted in the mid- to late-1700s while Queen Anne furniture dates to earlier in the century. A makers mark is one of the main clues in figuring out the age of something. Inset caning post 1900 has a spine bordering the caning.

A new reproduction piece will be in perfect condition but an antique will show subtle signs of its age. These marks can also tell us who made the item and where. If thats a little out of your price range I have found this great tutorial on how to do a DIY fabric upholstery on an antique chair.

If it does its likely a reproduction. However there are some antique furniture identification tips you can use to help. Furniture and other items like art or jewelry must be 100 yrs old to be considered antique otherwise it is identified by its period or style such as art deco or early american etc.

There are several ways you can spot an antique. Reproductions have no old aspects. A new piece simply smells newer.