How can you tell how old a chest of drawers is?
Original handles will often leave a bruise mark on the drawer front from hitting against the wood over hundreds of years or even leave a shade mark by blocking out the sun which can be seen in this photograph. If the handles are original it will give a very good indication of the age of the chest.
Which is the lowest drawer in a 1880 chest?
Figs. 3-4 Drawer A in Fig. 3 is the lowest drawer in a ca. 1880 chest. Exposure to the air has made it darker than drawer (B) the top draw from the same chest. The light colored band along the double arrow of (A) in Fig. 3 is also shown as (A) in Fig. 4. The light band exactly matches the dresser frame (B) in Fig. 4.
What makes a chest of drawers look Victorian?
Like most Victorian-era furniture, chests of drawers that hail from this time period tend to be heavy, beautifully ornate, bow-fronted and grand! Most are made from woods such as Mahogany with knobs as drawer pulls. Edwardian – Furniture from this period was made between 1890 -1910, although the actual Edwardian reign started in 1901.
Is it a chest of drawers or chest of chests?
In fact, any chest containing drawers is liable to be seen and spoken of as a chest, not of, but with drawers. Nevertheless, it is from chests that modern chests-of-drawers are descended.
How can you tell how old a dresser is?
Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece.
How do I know what era My furniture is?
How to Determine the Age of Antique FurnitureLook Past the Style of a Piece.Examine Bottoms, Insides, and Backs.Check for Perfectly Matching Elements.Try to Figure Out What Tools Were Used.Look at the Wood and Upholstery Fabric.Investigate the Screws and Other Hardware.
How do you date furniture by drawers?
8:5112:54You can also use tool marks to date a piece of furniture. For example here on the bottom of theMoreYou can also use tool marks to date a piece of furniture. For example here on the bottom of the drawer we can see marks from the saw. The earliest American lumber was milled by two-man pit saw teams.
How do I identify a Victorian chest of drawers?
Saw marks can help you determine dates. Straight saw marks signify antique chest of drawers from the first half of the 18th century. From the end of the century, however, circular saws were used, leaving visible circular saw marks on the inside of carcases.
Is there an app to help identify antiques?
Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff. Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff.
What do the numbers on the back of furniture mean?
Serial numbers will often reveal the manufacturer, model number, or date that the furniture was made.
How do you tell if a chest is an antique?
0:143:01You can see that is worn from front to back and also this excessive wear here but their TimbersMoreYou can see that is worn from front to back and also this excessive wear here but their Timbers literally. Has more way to nothing that's a good sign of age look at the interior. You will see that.
How old are dovetail drawers?
It was patented by Charles Knapp of Waterloo, WI in 1867. This type of joint was a significant advancement in furniture construction as it was made by machines whereas the dovetail joint had to be done by hand. The rate of production went from 20 drawers per day to 250!
What is considered vintage furniture?
It is a term that is loosely used to describe a previously owned piece of furniture; however for a piece to be considered “VINTAGE” it must be between 30 to 100 years old. Furniture that is at least 100 years old is classified as “ANTIQUE”. Any piece that is circa 1990's to present is just simply used furniture.
How can you tell if furniture was Victorian?
Of all the pieces commonly associated with the Victorian period, Chests of Drawers are without a doubt one of the most easily spotted pieces of furniture. Most chests were either Bow fronted (out swept curving front) or were simple square fronted chests with rounded corners and edges.
What is the difference between Victorian and Edwardian furniture?
While Victorian era furniture is dark, extremely ornate, and heavy, Edwardian furniture generally adopts a much lighter, less formidable aesthetic. Mahogany is a popular wood found in Edwardian styles, and lighter materials such as wicker and bamboo were also introduced during this period.
What period is Victorian furniture?
Victorian furniture refers to the style of antique furniture that was made during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 – 1901). It is often revivalist in style, in that it adopts stylistic motifs from other periods, creating huge waves of revivals with nostalgic nods to the past.