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DETAILS OF FAKE ANTIQUE FURNITURE


The best way to protect yourself from losing money on fake furniture is still your own study and familiarization with the materials, construction styles and the styles of your chosen period. It is also important to get into the nitty-gritty details to be absolutely sure of your purchase.

If your furniture is made of wood, you should expect some shrinkage. If the sides are too perfect, they may not be as old as the dealer claims them to be. Large boards were commonly used because lumber was much more abundant in the old days. As a result, many tables and chests were often made with a single large board and the other parts were cut in awkward shapes to minimize wasted wood. Furniture made out of maple, cherry and pine should be inspected closely. Fake antiques have different wood grains in different parts of the piece because they most likely used different kinds of wood (as lumber is harder to come by these days), hence there will be different grains. If a dealer says that you are buying something made out of old pine, be careful. Many supposedly antique pine furniture pieces have been made out of old pine floorboards. You will get antique wood, but not an antique piece. This principle is applied in all other wooden furniture.

Check the color of the piece. A typical yellow color is noticeable in antique furniture because the wood's patina "glows" with years of polishing. The color should not also be even because carving and groves will be darker than the exposed surfaces. If the wood does not have the patina of age and the dealer claims it is quite old, you are looking at a sure fake.

View the entire piece for balance. If a part looks out of place, it may be a "marriage" of old boards on a newer piece. A "marriage" is a piece made out of separate items and these are always less desirable than an intact piece, so refrain from buying these. When buying furniture with legs, a genuine antique piece should be well crafted to stand sting and proudly while the surrounding wood is expected to shrink a little. Also, feel the piece with your hands. The smoothing plane was not invented yet, so an old board feels very different from a modern, machine-planed one.

Check the dovetail joints on pieces that claim be made earlier than the 19th century. If they are too sleek and clean, they are most likely to be cut by modern tools when they should have been cut by hand. Also, take a close look at the veneers on pieces that date earlier than the 19th century. They should be thicker than machine cut veneers. Remember that all wood was sawn and separated by hand until the late 18th century when the circular saw was invented. If the piece was sawn by hand, it should bear straight or circular saw marks that are quite visible on the wooden surface.

Check the handles. Handles are important in dating a piece, but it is more common to find pieces with replaced handles. Antique handles were cast by hand from a single piece of metal, usually brass. The nuts that attached the handles in the 18th century are irregular and circular. Newer nuts are hexagonal and machine-cut.

Inspect the locks. Antique locks are made of wrought iron that were held in place by iron nails. After the 18th century, locks were made of steel and brass. Steel screws also replaced iron nails.

Check the carving: an original and complete carving on your piece adds to the price and desirability. If your carving was added with other carvings on a later date, the value of the piece is lesser. If your furniture has inlay, your piece can also have a greater value as it gets older.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Antiques

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Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author

The Beginner's Guide To Antique Carpathian Burl Bedroom Furniture


Purchasing any item of antique furniture requires some knowledge, but any individual showing and interest in antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture must have specialist knowledge of items in that classification before actually making a purchase. Antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture is most definitely in a class of its own so read on to learn more!

Antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture is undoubtedly beautiful. It has a classic quality that is positively unique but is soft and elegant in appearance rather than chunky and heavy. They are also extremely valuable and present a real investment opportunity as well as bringing a touch of class to your bedroom.

Antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture is loved the world over by antique collectors because the pieces bring a lightness to any room without being overbearing. They will draw attention because of their opulence, which is generally what an antique collector craves. The admiration of others is a massive plus and gives pieces from this class of antique an advantage over most other antiques. They have been described as Victorian in the sense that they do dominate a room but have a modern feel to them that enables them to fit into any home with almost any type of décor.

Searching out the right antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture does require a little patience. The collection and availability of these items is extremely good, but the choice does mean that it is necessary to shop around before settling on the pieces that best suit both you and your home. You should definitely put a lot of thought and consideration into each piece before choosing the right one for you!

It may in fact be a good idea to have set characteristics or requirements before you begin shopping for antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture. If you do your research to see what is on the market beforehand then you will have a great idea of the sense of style and class that would best suit you. Although you may not find something to exactly match your specifications, you may well find something in the same vein.

There is one golden rule when it comes to purchasing antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture. Stick to a budget! Antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture can be extremely expensive and its natural beauty will, more often than not, force you to become carried away! You will always get your money’s worth but should avoid getting into debt at all costs! Formulating a budget in advance may restrict you as to what you can spend and the amount of furniture you can buy, but it will ensure that you enjoy your antique Carpathian burl bedroom furniture stress-free!

You can also find more information at Antique Furniture Lighting and Antique Furniture Reproductions. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

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