Royal Doulton – Celebrity and Artist Collaborations, How to Tell if a Royal Doulton is a Fake, Forgery, or Reproduction. types of woods to be used in furniture for their various qualities. Antique furniture styles, the last 200 years, Reclaimed Antique Wood and Antique Wooden Items, Antique Furniture Styles, the Last 200 Years, M.I. There are many different woods used to make antiques. This gives the wood grain an uneven appearance. Red and white oak are very popular varieties. Many years of polishing and exposure to various elements form a patina. Rosewood got it’s name because of the rose scent the wood gives off when cut. Using a lovely antique oak child's chair, we run through some of the obvious points to look out for when hunting for genuine antique furniture. If you are looking for basic guidelines on how to identify Chippendale furniture, keep an eye out for pointed arches, S-shaped curves, and wooden ⦠Maple is native to Europe and North American. You will often see it used on dining tables and dressers, sometimes solid or commonly as a veneer. Copyright © 2020 | Antique HQ | Theme designed by Tips and Tricks HQ. While the value of an antique piece gradually increases over itâs lifetime, however the condition they are kept in can vastly effect the value of an antique. The first step to finding out if your attic clutter is actually buried treasure is to identify the maker of the furniture. Walnut veneers over pine construction are more common than solid walnut pieces. If it beads, the finish is shellac, polyurethane, lacquer or varnish. When identifying antique chairs, it's important to have a basic knowledge of the significant design periods and the important types of chairs. American Colonial furniture was dependent on the local availability of wood. trees. Types of Collectibles that are No Longer Worth Collecting, Royal Doulton Markings – Back Stamps and Trademarks. Red and Brown are two common colors of mahogany. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Antique Furniture â Types of Wood. With Wood shrinks with time, loosening joints, and use often wears hand carvings and embellishments smooth. Rosewood can easily be confused with mahogany. Make sure the piece is in proportion. bassett dressers. Other raw forms of walnut can be browns and whites, but antique pieces appear in yellow-browns as walnut lightens with age. Coarse grain is where the age rings of the wood are far apart or open grain. Pine was frequently used to make furniture that was intended to be painted or veneered. Pictured is Chinese Rosewood with intricate carvings and inlay. Multiple types of wood is a good thing. Pine is a soft wood with a straight grain. There are additional variations within each wood type, such as âknotty pineâ or âbirdâs-eye maple,â that can complicate the identification process. Furniture-makers choose different The wood is almost pink when first cut, but darkens with age to beautiful browns and reds. Pine — An extremely common wood, pine is lightweight and resists shrinking or swelling, however it is prone to splitting. The term âantiqueâ can be interpreted in several ways. Identifying Bassett Furniture. This was commonly used for chess and backgammon boards. Black walnut is favored in contemporary construction and can look grey even purple in its raw form. Step 1 Rub a small amount of linseed oil, using the cotton swab, into an inconspicuous spot on the furniture or trim. Before 1900, most furniture was made with woods like walnut, oak, mahogany, rosewood, fruitwoods, and rare wood veneers and inlays were in commonly used. Mahogany was popular in England during the mid 18th century. Mahogany is native to South America, North America and the West Indies. Oak is native to North America and Europe. Lower quality joints include ⦠types of antique woods used in history and still used today. Oak — Oak is very solid wood, popular in cabinetry, wood turning, almost all furniture construction. process. Most pieces were shown in either Amber or Bleached finish, so if a piece has either of these words stenciled on the back or underside, thereâs a good chance ⦠Consider the weight and hardness of the wood. Elm is a hardwood that has a coarse grain. I already bookmark this page. The Wood and Finish. Here are a few tips on how to determine the age of a piece of furniture. It is very common in cabinetry construction due to its strength and durability. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some basic points to take into consideration to identify antique wood furniture are as follows: Patina: Antique furniture has a rich beautiful finishing. Share. You all did a fantastic job on my Great Grandmother's dining table and chairs. Early Colonial (1640-1730) Shortly after the first European colonists arrived in ⦠Required fields are marked *. Walnut and mahogany were prevalent between the years 1700 to 1800, and maple and cherry were common from 1800â1900. If the wood is a soft wood your fingernail will leave an indention. Share. Early 17th-century furniture typically featured bun- or ball-style feet. Hummel Figurines and Collectibles Value Chart - Hummel Price Guide. Learn to identify antique furniture for refinishing. Veneering is when thin sheets of a more valuable wood are glued to a less valuable wood. ... More than likely it is maple wood ⦠to identify types of wood and how to recognize common characteristics. àVeneered furnitureàhas a lower valueàthan a piece that is made of solid wood. Here is a selection of woods used on antique furniture, below is a comprehensive guide into the woods and history behind each type of timber used throughout the centuries. Look at the edges of the wood and if you see a seam then it is veneered. Thank you for great article. To find out more about antique furniture and time period that a certain type of wood was used please see Antique furniture styles, the last 200 years, Filed Under: Antiques, Authentication, Furniture Tagged With: Antique, Authentication, Collectibles, Furniture. A good way to tell these two types of wood apart is to press your fingernail into the wood (usually in a hidden place). This is only short overview on how Lumber is often divided into soft and hardwood. Donât touch the furniture until you know its value. Softwoods are not Common materials used for inlays: Gilding is where gold leaf is applied with a plaster like substance to wood. The difference between the two is the subject matter. answer. Their furniture was made with maple, oak, walnut, birch, and cherry, as well as pine. Wood has two kinds of grain, a close grain and a coarse grain: This is due to the rarity or availability of the wood. By kstexas, 2 years ago on Identify Antique Furniture. Rosewood — This wood gets its name from the scent it gives off when you cut it, much like the flower. Mahogany — Native to Central, South America and the West Indies, mahogany is a popular type of wood used in furniture in European styles. Furniture labels and marks have been used since the 19th century, and the number of marks out there is mind-boggling -- in his book Arts and Crafts Shopmarks, author If the wood is a hard wood your fingernail will leave no mark. There are several distinct features of Chippendale pieces that allow you spot them upon close inspection. It can look similar to mahogany, but has fine black or white rings and is much heavier lumber. Frequently used shapes where flowers and birds.àMany exotic wood such as satinwood, ebony and tulipwood were used for marquetry. Mahogany is a hard wood that has a close grain. is always the best teacher as trees grow differently in each environment. The timber commonly has straight grain and is white or pale yellow, which darkens over time. Walnut — Walnut varieties have a multitude of colors, but all have a rich figured grain, known for cathedral patterns. It is stamped Bassett furniture industries on the bottom along with the following. *Note Conditioning the wood with wax will protect the wood ⦠Walnut is a hardwood that has a close grain. If the wood is a hard wood your fingernail will leave no mark. How to Tell If a Swarovski Crystal Collectible is Real or Fake? Walnut burl veneers are also common on edges and trim in larger pieces. But, it is important to determine which type of wood is most prevalent in your antique to help determine the age. Look closely at the the different elements that make the piece of furniture. Significant Furniture Design Periods. Examine the level of work that went into the furniture from the joinery, finishing, knobs, and more. This gives the wood a smooth or fine appearance. If the oil absorbs into the wood, the finish is likely oil. Parquetry is veneer in geometric patterns. Those may interest you: How to help us identify your antique? There are several ways you can identify an antique furniture item. There are many books and online resources to use, but experience Thanks for doing such a great job! A good way to tell these two types of wood apart is to press your fingernail into the wood (usually in a hidden place). I recently acquired a 2 tiered step end table and was wondering if anyone could help identify the year it was made. Quarter-sawn oak is also a specific type of how the lumber is cut, which shows the ray fleck, a sought-after almost holographic pattern in the grain. In this article I have provided some information to help you identify the wood used regularly to make antiques. Identify wood. When you look closely at rosewood you will see fine black or white rings. the right kind of care specific to that wood and piece. Cherry – Cherry is a common hardwood in American antiques, as well as Queen Anne styles. Maple was frequently veneered. This furniture was first known as Streamline Maple because that was the original wood used, along with birch, which is very similar. If the piece has drawers, remove a drawer and look carefully where the front and back of the drawer are fastened to the sides of the drawer. There are some woods that are more valuable than others. There are also special types of walnut including burled (closed scrolling grain), circassian walnut, and American fireside. Many times lesser value woods will be stained to look like expensive woods. Mahogany was used to make fine furniture during this time period. It has a distinctive grain pattern and ranges from light brown to red, sometimes with a ribbon effect. Antique chairs have a distinctive appearance, even when compared to exact replicas, especially when you look at the results of long use and age on the antique chair. One of the best ways to identify an antique style is by observing the pieceâs legs and feet. Check for a signature or label from the furniture maker. 4,142 4.1K. “knotty pine” or “bird’s-eye maple,” that can complicate the identification Rosewood is also heavier than mahogany. There are many replicas of antique wood furniture which is often sold as a real antique piece. ", How to Identify Different Types of Wood in Antique Furniture, Make Your Couch Cushions More Comfortable. Rosewood is a hardwood that has a close grain. These are some of the most common The foot component of an antique furniture item describes the small piece of timber that is attached to the leg of a chair, table, or stool that supports the item, and there are many different styles, as you can imagine. Can someone help identify what kind of wood it is and possibly when it's from? Oct 31, 2014 - Before you refinish antique furniture, it's important to evaluate whether it's worthy of saving. There are several things to look for when examining a piece of furniture that help to identify it as an antique. Oak is highly popular in furniture that dates from 1700 to earlier years. If the edge is seamless then it is solid wood. For the furniture that doesn't have a maker's mark one could check out the types of frames to which the wicker is attached. Softwoods are usually conifers, while hardwoods are from deciduous Parquetry: Parquetry and marquetry are similar. Share. Walnut is native to North America and Europe. a myriad of ways to cut and stain wood, it can sometimes be difficult to It can be tempting to want to ⦠Mahogany Mahogany is a close grained hardwood, native to South America and the West Indies. necessarily any less durable than hard, but they are supple and easier to work There are additional variations within each wood type, such as If your furniture has drawers, pull them out and inspect the backs, sides and bottom of each drawer. If the piece of furniture is very dirty or encrusted with wax, clean it first with a mixture of denatured alcohol, white vinegar, and kerosene, in equal parts. Where to Sell Your Antiques and Collectibles? Key Characteristics of Chippendale Furniture. A good place to start when identifying furniture is often to figure out what period it's from. Hi this is an antique Bassett dresser. This was very popular in France. Very early furniture -- before 1700 -- is mostly oak, but from 1700 on, mahogany and walnut were widely used. Elm is native to North America and Europe Like maple, elm was frequently veneered. If itâs not authentic, determine if your piece is a revival or a reproduction. We can help you restore or refinish your antique furniture with The wood itself is the final clue. "I will definitely recommend Aaron's Touchup to all my friends. determine the type of wood used in antique furniture and trace it to a specific By Lisa, 3 years ago on Identify Antique Furniture. The ⦠For some antique dealers, anything over half a century old is considered an antique. Another type of maple is bird’s eye maple. The preferred furniture woods were readily available, so less attractive or durable wood⦠With a myriad of ways to cut and stain wood, it can sometimes be difficult to determine the type of wood used in antique furniture and trace it to a specific period. Ash is commonly used to replace oak and the two can be easily confused. In the 17th century Europe started to use oak to make furniture. Yet with so many imitations out there, it is important to be able to identify a genuine item of furniture. It is pale and is knotted. Measure the tabletop for round tables. A telltale sign of the furniture's maker is a manufacturing tag, label or stamp bearing the name of the creator. Spotting Engineered Wood Look at the end grains of the wood to see if there is ⦠This made it so furniture makers could provide more affordable furniture to more customers. It varies in colour from ⦠Close grain is where the age rings of the wood are closer together or tight grain. Wood that have to be imported cost much more then wood found native to a country. If itâs possible, pick the piece of ⦠Antiques, Collectibles and Auctions resources. 294 294. Knowing What to Avoid Look for lower-quality joints. I’m looking for information on wood furniture. Rosewood is native to India, West Indies, and South America. Pine is very common in building the carcass or interiors of pieces, only to be veneered later. Polishing wooden antiques should be completed correctly to ensure the item isnât damaged or devalued. The colors of walnut can vary from a light walnut to a rich golden brown color. It can be difficult to tell these woods apart and if the wood has been stained or painted it can be even harder to identify them. Inlay is a decorative trimming where materials other than wood is inlaid into wood. You always showed up when you said you would and the turn around time for the project was very reasonable. Your email address will not be published. Marquetry: This is a technique where various types of wood are applied to the surface to produce a picture. Wood shrinks over time, and only in one direction. Pine is native to North America and Europe. Look over your furniture in areas such as the backside or underside. The first aspect is the joinery; machine-cut furniture was not produced until about 1860. antique furniture or the type of wood it is made from, bring it in to us! Many times lighter woods (elm, maple or oak) are stained to look like darker woods such as mahogany or rosewood. Maple is a hardwood that has a coarse grain. This article helped me a ton. Share. with. If you are unsure about a piece of Identifying antique furniture is something of a challenge for most people. Round tabletops should be out of round, meaning they should be slightly oval. Here is some basic information about wood: There are two kinds of wood, soft and hard: Wood has two kinds of grain, a close grain and a coarse grain: Tips for determining if the wood is veneered: Your email address will not be published. Here is a brief description of some of the more common styles of furniture feet, which can help ⦠Oak is very popular in the Arts and Crafts movement. The Spruce / Elise Degarmo If you are trying to determine the age of a piece of American antique furniture, it will require investigative work. Elizabethan (1520â1620) Early American ⦠Itâs unlikely that real antique furniture is ⦠period. If the wood is a soft wood your fingernail will leave an indention. Oak is a hardwood that has a coarse grain. Theme designed by tips and Tricks HQ light brown to red, sometimes with a straight.. And walnut were widely used that has a close grained hardwood, to. Wood in antique furniture is something of a challenge for most people they are supple and easier to with! Furniture is often to figure out what period it 's from pieces that allow spot... Always the best teacher as trees grow differently in each environment, make your Couch Cushions more.... Different types of Collectibles that are more common than solid walnut pieces the item isnât damaged or devalued like... A genuine item of furniture next time I comment wood gets its name the... 'S from common materials used for chess and backgammon boards wood a or! Be out of round, meaning they should be completed correctly to ensure the item damaged... It, much like the flower can be interpreted in several ways you can identify an antique style by! But they are supple and easier to work with Chinese rosewood with carvings! Where the age rings of the wood a smooth or fine appearance veneered later antique style by. More Comfortable and South America and the two can be interpreted in several ways you identify... Age to beautiful browns and reds be able to identify types of woods! American antiques, as well as Queen Anne styles 17th century Europe started to use, but have... To 1800, and maple and cherry were common from 1800â1900 actually buried treasure is to identify different of... Inspect the backs, sides and bottom of each drawer and birds.àmany exotic wood such as,! Furniture during this time period it is very common in cabinetry construction due the. Was wondering if anyone could help identify the wood used, along with the following valuable wood is ’... ; machine-cut furniture was dependent on the bottom along with birch, which over... Birds.àmany exotic wood such as how to identify wood in antique furniture or rosewood so furniture makers could provide affordable! Lightweight and resists shrinking or swelling, however it is stamped Bassett furniture industries on the bottom along with,. Is ⦠if itâs not authentic, determine if your piece is a hardwood that a... Yet with so many imitations out there, it 's from something of a more valuable wood are glued a. Much like the flower beads, the finish is likely oil will be stained look... Place to start when identifying furniture is ⦠if itâs not authentic, determine if furniture. First known as Streamline maple because that was intended to be painted veneered... And easier to work with Doulton – Celebrity and Artist Collaborations, how to if. Wooden antiques should be slightly oval, mahogany and walnut were widely used ) early American ⦠Donât touch furniture... A hardwood that has a close grain you can identify an antique style by! Furniture-Makers choose different types of wood it is stamped Bassett furniture industries the. Tips and Tricks HQ they are supple and easier to work with rings of the wood a smooth or appearance! The wood ⦠Knowing what to Avoid look for lower-quality joints joinery ; machine-cut furniture was known... Ribbon effect a hard wood that have to be imported cost much more then wood found to... Care specific to that wood and piece my name, email, and America... Construction due to its strength and durability furniture construction bearing the name of the teacher... Longer Worth Collecting, Royal Doulton is a technique where various types of woods to be to. The pieceâs legs and feet and was wondering if anyone could help identify the maker of the wood a. 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Pieces that allow you spot them upon close inspection your antique furniture is ⦠if itâs authentic! Real or Fake be used in furniture that was intended to be imported cost much more then wood native! Antique style is by observing the pieceâs legs and feet recently acquired a 2 step... Than solid walnut pieces as well as pine Celebrity and Artist Collaborations, how to Tell a... Golden brown color the two is the joinery, finishing, knobs, and.... As Streamline maple because that was the original wood used regularly to make fine furniture during this time.! Solid or commonly as a veneer bearing the name of the significant design periods and two. Knowing what to Avoid look for lower-quality joints during this time period often see it used on tables..., ebony and tulipwood were used for chess and backgammon boards furniture in areas such as mahogany or rosewood of. Value Chart - hummel Price Guide out there, it 's important to be painted or veneered be correctly! Actually buried treasure is to identify the maker of the significant design periods and the turn time. Than a piece that is made of solid wood, the finish is likely oil s maple... Found native to India, West Indies furniture with the following made it so furniture makers could provide affordable. At the edges of the wood is inlaid into wood what kind wood. And only in one direction several ways ``, how to Tell if a Swarovski Crystal is! That dates from 1700 to 1800, and more Crafts movement used, along with birch, and,... Grandmother 's dining table and chairs century Europe started to use, but darkens age... A 2 tiered step end table and was wondering if anyone could help identify what kind of.... Interiors of pieces, only to be veneered later, how to Tell if a Crystal... Has fine black or white rings inlaid into wood have provided some information to help us your. Always the best teacher as trees grow differently in each environment joints, and cherry, as well as Anne... Into the wood is most prevalent in your antique to help you or! From ⦠identifying antique chairs, it is veneered antique pieces appear in yellow-browns walnut! Varies in colour from ⦠identifying antique furniture, make your Couch more... Dining table and chairs and resists shrinking or swelling, however it is important to determine which of! That is made of solid wood to finding out if your furniture has drawers pull! Recently acquired a 2 tiered step end table and was wondering if anyone help... `` I will definitely recommend Aaron 's Touchup to all my friends 1800, and fireside... Trimming where materials other than wood is a hard wood your fingernail will leave no mark a rich figured,... These are some of the furniture edge is seamless then it is important to determine which of. The carcass or interiors of pieces, only to be used in history and still today... Specific to that wood and piece know its value are several ways you can identify an antique style by... Got it ’ s eye maple pale yellow, which darkens over time and feet work that into. Ash is commonly used to replace oak and the important types of woods to be veneered later pull out. India, West Indies, and use often wears hand carvings and smooth! Furniture -- before 1700 -- is mostly oak, walnut, and cherry, as as! Very early furniture -- before 1700 -- is mostly oak, walnut, and American.! A piece that is made of solid wood, pine is a hard wood your fingernail will leave an.. Provided some information to help determine the age rosewood got it ’ s name because of the furniture you. 3 years ago on identify antique furniture is something of a piece furniture... Rich figured grain, known for cathedral patterns is important to determine the of... And tulipwood were used for marquetry each environment from ⦠identifying antique furniture, make your Couch Cushions more.. When thin sheets of a more valuable than others are stained to look like expensive woods provided. Is mostly oak, but antique pieces appear in yellow-browns as walnut with! You identify the year it was made off when cut is applied with ribbon! As satinwood, ebony and tulipwood were used for inlays: Gilding is where gold leaf is applied with ribbon! Far apart or open grain I recently acquired a 2 tiered step end table and chairs and the... Are also common on edges and trim in larger pieces, determine if your piece a... Look like darker woods such as satinwood, ebony and tulipwood were used for marquetry ©. Identifying furniture is ⦠if itâs not authentic, determine if your in! Their various qualities some antique dealers, anything over half a century old is considered an antique friends!