You already know that an antique is something that is no less than 100 years old, but how exactly can you be certain that the particular piece you are looking at was truly crafted that long ago? Learning to identify antiques is not difficult, it just takes a little bit of know how and understanding of what qualities make an antique an antique.

Regardless if you are not sure of the age of a piece, want to check the accuracy of an age claim, or wish to be certain the antique has all of its original parts, there are various nuances that should stick out to you. Ask these questions of yourself in order to determine whether or not the item that you are dealing with is in fact an antique.

Question #1 - Is the piece in question made out of materials that are uncommonly or even rarely ever used in modern day production?

Question #2 - Do the details on the piece in question appear to be hand painted, or does it seem as if they were created by a machine?

Question #3 – Does the particular style of the piece in question reflect a certain period of time that may give away hints as to its origin?

Question #4 – For items that are made out of wood, how thick are the pieces of veneer? In general, older veneer is going to be significantly thicker than modern day veneer.

Question #5 – Does the piece that is in question happen to possess nails that are irregularly shaped, or pegs that are squared off? These are characteristics that are reminiscent of times long past.

Question #6 – For items that are used as tables, is the item’s under side lighter in comparison to the top? Antique tables should have lighter undersides.

Question #7 – If there are any carvings or details on the piece, look to see if they are all identical as this will help you determine whether they were done by hand or if they are reminiscent of work from a machine.

Question #8 – When appraising a wooden item, you should check to see if there is darker wood around all of the hardware, indicating that the hardware is original. When the shadows are inconsistent with the current hardware, that should tell you that the current hardware is not the original hardware.

Question #9 – Finally, is there any dirt in the crevices of the piece that has always been hard for you to clean?

You should remember that items that are 100 years old are always going to show their age no matter how well kept they were. Slight wear, even when an item is in top condition, is completely understandable.

Photo Credits: Lynn (Gracie’s mom) – I’m here…

Originally posted 2009-11-13 03:04:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Antique Door Locks Antiques -> Architectural & Garden -> Doors The look of antique furniture and hardware can lend such old-fashioned charm to a room, so it's no wonder than an antique door lock is a popular item that can look great in all but the most modern décor. Someone searching for this......
• Curio Cabinet Dealers -> Furniture -> Cabinets-Armoires-Cupboards A curio cabinet is a piece of furniture that encompasses so many different varieties that it's hard to sum up in a short space. The thing each one has in common is that it allows for “curios” to be displayed. Knick-knacks, trinkets, collectibles and other......
• Sideboard Dealers -> Furniture -> Cabinets-Armoires-Cupboards A sideboard is a piece of furniture used to display China or to set food out while dining. The sideboards we’re familiar with first appeared in the 1700s, but became more popular in the 1800s when more people had dining rooms to eat in, and......
• Revolutionary New Antiques Site Aggregates the World's Stock of Antique Silver, Bringing Buyers and Sellers Together There is a new player in the international silver trade. My Family Silver is a revolutionary new website that offers a unique way to buy and sell antique silver. For the first time, myfamilysilver.com enables dealers and auctioneers worldwide to list silver for sale on one exclusive and fully independent......
• Antique Dishes Dealers -> Glass -> Plates Collecting antique dishes can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s probably not going to be an easy one! Because of the wide variety of dishes available from so many sources, you’ll probably have to brush up on your knowledge of dishes and dinnerware.......

• Understanding What Affects Paper Money Price Collecting currency is something that people have been enjoying for a long time. It is a way that you will be able to get to know the currency for your own nation as well as the currency for other nations. These different kinds of currency allow you to be able......
• Movie Memorabilia Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Props-> Posters Movies touch our hearts, inspire our souls and transport us on an incredible journey. It’s no wonder that movie memorabilia has become so incredibly popular throughout the years. You’ll find numerous different types of movie memorabilia that range from simple posters, to theater......
• Sports Memorabilia Collecting 101 Before you jump into the world of sports memorabilia collecting, there is some basic information that you should be well aware of. First and foremost, you should have an understanding of certain terms that are common when it comes to sports memorabilia collecting. For example: Photos, jerseys, cards and related......
• How to Find Money Paper for Sale There are many different kinds of hobbies out there that you can enjoy, but if you enjoy collecting paper money, you are likely always on the lookout for a great item that you can add to your collection. These great pieces can include money from around the world as well......
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days- whether your at the grocery store, or......

• Yard D�cor Christmas: Current (1991-Now) Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Snowman Figures Christmas: Current (1991-Now) Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Bells Ornaments Christmas: Current (1991-Now) Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Stockings Christmas: Current (1991-Now) Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Passage Knobs Knobs Doors & Door Hardware Building & Hardware Home Improvement