ANTIQUES & FURNITURE
Learn how to spot reproduction versus the real thing...
- Look inside the furniture, turn it around and inspect the whole piece. If you find an unfinished section of wood - where you can see the texture, grain and real colour of the wood, this is your best chance of spotting whether it's a reproduction or the real thing. Sometimes a table top appears to be antique, until you look at the flip-side which reveals brand new wood.
- The patina or unique "glow" the wood develops over the years is one of the most important elements when detecting fake furniture - it's nearly impossible to simulate. Most antique furniture isn't the same colour all over. Grooves and carving will look darker and surfaces which have been exposed to sunlight may appear lighter.
- Look for wear and tear. The easiest way is to assess the feet of the furniture. After centuries of standing on damp floors and being shoved around, expect antique furniture to have feet which are used and worn.
- Look for dovetail joints. Antique furniture has joints where notches are cut into the wood - so the pieces fit together like a puzzle. Original pieces also typically have wooden dowel pins.
- In the past, less expensive wood was often used in places where it wouldn't show - such as the interior of a cupboard. If you can't find any secondary wood this could indicate a new construction, rather than an antique. Past Perfect Collection
