How to tell if furniture is antique

1. Inspect the joinery

Hand-cut dovetails often vary slightly in width and spacing. Machine-cut dovetails tend to be very uniform, though they can still appear on older pieces. Look under drawers, inside casework, and on the back—not just on visible surfaces.

2. Examine hardware and fasteners

Original pulls, locks, and screws can offer useful dates, but hardware is frequently replaced. Early screws may show irregular threads or off-center slots; later factory-made fasteners are more consistent.

3. Look at wood and underside

Observe secondary woods, saw marks, shrinkage, and oxidation in protected areas. Fresh-looking wood underneath can signal later alteration, but careful restoration is also common. Furniture should not be dated from patina alone.

4. Check construction

Check veneer, nails, drawer bottoms, backboards, and the way legs meet the frame. Design style helps establish a possible period, but revival styles and modern reproductions are common.

5. Document provenance and labels

Labels, stamps, retailer plaques, receipts, and family history can be valuable evidence. Photograph them before cleaning. A maker’s name may establish who made it, while a serial number or address can help narrow a date.

6. Ask the right question

Instead of asking only “Is it antique?”, ask who made it, when, where, whether it is original, and how condition affects its desirability. A qualified appraiser is appropriate for insurance or major purchase decisions.