Antiques and reproductions-can tell the difference?

Can tell the difference between an antique and reproduction? Really even matter?

There is nothing wrong with reproductions of good quality. You want to make sure that you know that's what you're getting. Here are some tips to help you tell them apart.

Wood. Antiques tends not to be made using a type of wood. Why? Simply did not make economic sense to use expensive wood such as mahogany in areas where no one would ever see. That's why the funds of the drawers and antique joints may have lower quality woods like pine, Maple. Reproductions tend to be made top to bottom by a wood and can be strongly coloured to hide a poor-quality wood. Check out the bottom, if the wood looks the same in the whole piece may be new.

Padding padding. Until the end of the 20th century, horsehair and hay were used for upholstered furniture stuff. Synthetic materials such as foam around were introduced in the 1920s. Keep in mind that the horsehair or hay may have been replaced in an ancient during a previous reupholstering. Is not necessarily a bad thing, that is not only more in original condition.

Signs of wear. Signs of wear make sense? A Chair of ancient show more signs of wear at the ends of the booms where hands would naturally rest more so under his arm. If wear is consistent through the piece, it's likely a reproduction that was distressed to look old.

Signs of time. Look for signs of cracks caused by shrinkage. They indicate that the wood has expanded and contracted over time. This is normal for an antique.

Antique marble. To find out if the marble is original to an antique, check the back of the piece. If the cut on the back line is indented, the marble is likely the original piece. In the 18th century, the tools for cutting marble straight were not available. If the marble is cut smoothly, it is likely that post-18th century.

Hand-carving. Run your finger along the slit. Rough or smooth? Hand carving is irregular and asymmetrical. Carving machine is smooth and symmetrical.

Articulation. 18th century hand creeks are large and irregular. Coves are thin and even.

Construction. PFL, Staples and Phillips screws are all blown reproductions. About antiques with large surfaces (tables, cabinets, trunks), furniture makers used large sheets with a width of irregular. Reproductions using plates with narrow width also.

Bonding. On old pieces, Carpenter would strengthen joints glued with gussets, mortise and tenon etc to ensure that they were good and robust. Reproductions of poor quality will often only be glued along the road that leads to their falling apart. Slip a piece of paper between the joints to see if has been strengthened.

Hardware. Vintage Hardware has patina. Must not finish to protect it from tarnishing a lacquer and isn't looking shiny and new.

Rebuilt/refurbished/reproductions. Rebuilt furniture has some new items added to it as new shelves, backs up an armoire. It is common in a lot of French country furniture around today. Refurbished furniture have been restored. Both the wood has been finished or upholstery, caning, rushing replaced. Reproductions do not have old issues. They are completely new. If something is rebuilt, restored, or a reproduction is not necessarily a negative, just as long as they know that you're buying an antique in original condition.

Insert the hand flogging or whipping against. Insert caning (post 1900) has a backbone, bordering the flogging. Hand caning (pre-1900) doesn't have an edge. Every now and then, caned by hand pieces were converted to insert caning when a hand-caner not to be found. Check the bottom of the piece to see if it has been converted. The bottom will reveal a series of holes that were used for flogging.

Purchase of reproductions. Purchase good quality reproductions eliminates the frustration of hunting for the right piece. Have something custom made ensures that you get exactly what you want. For example, the size of 15-17 antique armoires inches not meet electronic equipment today. Some merchants, including me, offer custom reproductions to overcome this situation.

Purchase of antiques. The good news is that antique can be less expensive because you're not paying reproductions for materials and labor costs to prices today. In addition, each antique has a story. The patina, nicks and bangs on antiques reveals a life full of use only as wrinkles on the face of an elderly person who has a life fully lived.

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