Tips for Collecting Antique Furniture

I am not an expert, nor am I an antique dealer.  When clients call and ask me to appraise their antique furniture, I send them to a local place in Fuquay Varina called Bostic and Wilson Antiques.

However, as an antique furniture restoration company, we can suggest these antique collecting tips:

Antique furniture is defined as furniture which is 100 years old.  If you are purchasing antiques as an investment, it’s better to have a few good pieces than to have mediocre ones. Buy the best antiques you can afford, and if it’s for your own personal use or collection, don’t worry too much about whether you have overpaid. The modern, probably inferior equivalent will cost a lot more anyway.

Places to Find Antiques:

• Estate sales and yard sales
• Antique and collector shows
• Furniture Auctions

What to look for:

Always inspect your furniture before buying.  Of most importance is the condition of the furniture. True collectors typically avoid purchasing damaged pieces.  However, if you are purchasing the piece for your own enjoyment, consider that damaged pieces can often be purchased at bargain prices. The damaged antique furniture can then be restored to it’s original beauty by a professional furniture restoration company such as Salpeck’s Furniture Service.

To predict the period the furniture piece, look closely at the type of wood, how the piece was assembled and the hardware.

Before 1700, oak was mostly used, but from 1700 on, mahogany and walnut were widely used.

If the pulls look particularly nice, consider whether they are original to the furniture piece. “Since changing or altering hardware is one of the quickest and cheapest ways of improving the look of an otherwise-bland piece, the pulls are always suspect, especially if they look really good.”  You can learn more at: http://www.antiquetrader.com/antiques/furniture-detective-looking-closely-at-brass-hardware-aids-in-deciding-furniture-age

When picking up multiple furniture pieces for one room always try to make sure the pieces have the same wood tones. This helps fit the pieces together better.

One thing I always tell my clients is buy what you like and can live with.

Questions to ask:

Is it an original?  You need to be aware of reproductions and fakes.

Has it been damaged or restored? Sellers don’t need to tell you furniture has been damaged, so be sure to ask.

Is your price firm? Whether shopping at an antique dealer or an estate sales, you can usually negotiate a lower price.

Collecting antiques can be a fun and rewarding hobby.  If you are buying to resell, be sure to do your research and know what you are buying.  If you are buying for your own personal use, you can’t make a mistake if you buy what you like.