Determining If A Piece Of Furniture Is A Valuable Antique

Normally the value of antique furniture increases over time

. This is usually due to the wonderful craftsmanship and the beauty of the solid wood used. Today's furniture rarely has the quality seen over a hundred years ago, hence the lesser value.

Identifying and Valuing Antique Furniture

Antique furniture can be divided into four sub-categories. These are:

* English - Divided into Victorian or Pre-Victorian

* European - Generally French or German

* American: Shaker, New York or Western

* Far Eastern: Usually Chinese - determined by the period or manufacture date

English antique furniture is sub-categorized by the rulers during that time period. For example; Georgian (1714-1812), Regency (1812-1830), Victorian (1837-1901), and Edwardian (1901-1910).

French furniture is classified based on the rule of King Louis. These include: Louis XIV (1643-1715), Louis XV (1723-1774), and Louis Phillpe (1830-1848).

Popular American antique furniture from the 17th and 18th century include: William and Mary (1690-1725), Queen Anne (1725-1750), Chippendale (1750-1780), Federal (1790-1815), Empire (1815-1845), and Country and Shaker (1690-1900).

Antique furniture values determined by: --Type of Wood-- The most valuable types of antique wood are mahogany, walnut, oak, and pine. --Wood Panels and Original Hardware--A piece with the original hardware and wood panels is more valuable. A repaired piece will have a lowered value. --Condition of the Furniture--The condition of an antique is important when trying to determine antique furniture values. While an antique that is in "mint" condition is much more valuable than one with some scratches, if you try to repair the scratches, then you will devalue the piece. An antique item with scratches on the finish is much more valuable than one you try to repair to make in better condition. Leave an imperfect piece of furniture as it is. Never strip and refinish an antique or re-attach a wobbly leg, this may affect it's authenticity. A change in the piece's finish or method of fastening may seem an improvement to you but may question the age of the piece to another.--Rare Availability of the Furniture--Generally an antique is more valuable when there are fewer of the items available. This is one of the biggest determiners for assessing the value of antique furniture. --Demand --Demand is a large factor for antique worth. A rare antique is not worth as much if no one wants it. Authenticating Antique FurnitureFraud is common is the antiquing business. In order to protect yourself from being scammed, educate yourself on the basic tricks prior to making that purchase. Request the assistance of an antique expert when you need one. Once you determine what type of furniture you are interested in, you will want to ensure the piece you have is authentic. Here are some two sure signs to look for:1. Look for signs of age. Real wood shrinks over time. You should see signs of cracking, warping, and fading. 2. Beware of perfect craftsmanship. Handmade work involves uneven boards, jagged edges, and wobbly lines in the screws. Power tools were not available 100 years ago. Perfectly straight lines in furniture usually means it was made with mechanical power tools. Antiquing can be a rewarding hobby if you take the time to familiarize yourself with each type of antique.by: Jeff Morgan

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