American Arts and Crafts furniture reflects a shift in taste, values, and domestic life. Emerging in the late nineteenth century and reaching its greatest…
Brass hardware can reveal as much about an antique piece as its wood, joinery, or silhouette. A drawer pull, escutcheon, hinge, or caster may look like a small…
A Chippendale-style desk can attract serious interest at auction, yet its value rarely comes from appearance alone. Age, origin, materials, construction,…
Veneer can transform a practical piece of furniture into a highly expressive work of art. Thin sheets of carefully selected wood were arranged across doors,…
An old tabletop carries more than a finish. Its softened edges, mellow color, small scratches, and uneven sheen record years of use. That accumulated character…
A china cabinet is more than a convenient place to store dishes. Its glass doors, carved details, polished wood, and carefully arranged shelves turn household…
A vintage bed frame is more than a functional piece of bedroom furniture. Its wood, joinery, finish, hardware, and signs of age all contribute to its character…
Learning to identify antique furniture begins with more than memorizing names such as Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, Victorian, or Arts and Crafts. Each…
A beautiful old-looking cabinet, table, or chair can create an immediate impression, but appearance alone rarely proves age. Modern manufacturers can distress…
A wicker chair can look delicate, yet a well-made example often contains a strong hardwood frame beneath its woven surface. Restoration requires attention to…