The Value of Antique Furniture
When you are antique hunting you need to know how to find the value of a piece of antique furniture that you are looking to buy. The bottom line is that the person who is trying to sell you this particular item is out to make a profit. There are those who have no problem with trying to sell you a piece of furniture for less then what it is worth. The only way you will know if you are getting a good price is if you are knowledgeable about what you are buying.
The easiest way to try to determine the value of an antique piece of furniture is to do research about antique furniture. Learn to tell the difference between Queen Anne and Tudor. In your research you will learn to tell the difference between antique European furniture and antique furniture from America. You will also learn the eras in which the pieces come from and therefore you will be able to determine the age of the piece. But, this kind of information is only half the battle. Sometimes reproductions can look so authentic that you will need a trained eye to tell the difference. But, don’t worry; there are a few little tricks that every good antique furniture hunter should know if they are going to find a bargain.
First off, examine your find to ensure that you are looking at a quality item. Look the piece over to see if the drawers open and close with ease, the doors are secured tightly to the hinges and that there is no obvious sign of damage like pieces missing, cracks, etc. You will also want to make sure that the piece of furniture you are considering buying is structurally sound. Have there been any repairs done to the piece such as refinishing? Does the piece still consist of all of the original wood? Obviously if you are considering purchasing a piece of furniture that is over one-hundred years old, there will be some evidence of wear and tear. But, you want to make sure that the item is not going to fall apart the first time someone sits on it. Because of all of the wear and tear that a one-hundred year old piece of furniture goes through, the edges on it should be fairly smooth. If you are finding rough edges on the piece as you run your hands along it, it is possible that the piece is not as old as you think it is. Also, you should look closely at the finish of the piece. Is it clean and is the color still vibrant? Things like that are evidence that the craftsmanship of the item was very high. But, keep in mind that older veneer is thicker than and not as even as the veneers you see on furniture today.
In addition to considering the pieces quality and condition, ask yourself if the piece of antique furniture you are thinking of investing in would be considered rare and in demand. If you are looking to purchase antiques to sell for profit, what would be the point of spending money on a high quality, rare item in great condition that nobody wants to buy from you?
James Smith is an expert in Antiques Collection. He has been very active in the Antique Collecting society. For more information on his guide and tips please visit www.antiqueshobby.com.
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