Dating old tables

How can you tell how old a table is?

Very coarse and irregular teeth marks can place the table to the late 16th century, when only basic handsaws were available. Rough-hewn wood suggests even earlier origins. Another way to date a table is to examine the hardware holding it together.

What is an antique table?

Certainly, it is one of the most versatile with styles ranging from delicate and mobile to massive and ceremonial. Tables are often key specimens of a particular style, era, or furniture designer. There are primarily two categories of antique tables: accent tables and dining tables.

How to determine the age of an antique furniture?

Study the materials used from the wood, fabric, and screws. If you take all these factors into consideration, you may be able to figure out on your own if have an antique or a machine-made reproduction. When you are trying to determine the age of piece you cannot just look at furniture style.

How do you determine the value of an antique wood table?

The condition and markings on the wood, the style and the hardware used to assemble the table can help determine if its antique -- more than 100 years old -- or simply a collectible. Age is just one determinant of value, however.

How can you tell how old a dining table is?

The underside of the table is where a lot of the age determination happens. Look for a tag stapled under the surface for a manufactured table -- it may list the manufacturers name and model number, or potentially a year or address. Looking up your findings online, if no actual date is mentioned, can help pinpoint a general time frame.

How to tell the age of furniture?

How a piece is constructed is a common measure of age. You should look at the screws, nails, wood, joining and hardware. The condition and quality of materials are used to gauge the age of a piece. The wear and tear of a piece of furniture also helps to tell its age. A legitimate antique is one hundred years old or older.

How can you tell how old a table saw is?

Examine how your table was put together to find clues to its age. Prior to 1880, most nails had square heads, while those crafted after 1880 were round and uniform. Handmade screws date back to the mid-19th century or earlier, and may have off-center heads or flat spots on the shaft.

How do you determine the value of an antique wood table?

The condition and markings on the wood, the style and the hardware used to assemble the table can help determine if its antique -- more than 100 years old -- or simply a collectible. Age is just one determinant of value, however.

How do you determine the value of old furniture?

In order to determine whether your old furniture is valuable, you should find out the following details, if possible: original owner, age of the furniture, rarity, quality and condition. However, if you don’t have any experience with antiques, you should seek out the help of an antique dealer or appraiser to help you determine its worth.

How can you tell if a wooden table is antique?

The condition and markings on the wood, the style and the hardware used to assemble the table can help determine if its antique -- more than 100 years old -- or simply a collectible.

Is my antique furniture worth anything?

Sometimes antique furniture can be worth more than you realize. Check the value of your old furniture before selling or donating these potentially valuable items. This is a page about finding the value for your antique furniture.

Does the age of an antique table affect its value?

The age of the antique table adds to its value. Yet, just because a table is old, it does not necessarily mean that it will draw a high price. The overall condition of the antique table is important to note. This could include scratches, stains, missing or broken components, and finish.