The Allure of Antique Furniture
Why do so many people love antique furniture? There are many reasons. For some, the craftsmanship and beauty is what draws them to pieces from ages past. Others enjoy the historical significance of collecting furniture from long ago. Still others may think of buying old furniture as an investment that could pay off in the future. No matter why you choose to enter the world of antiques, you are sure to find plenty of fulfillment shopping for and purchasing beautiful pieces of furniture.
Unlike other types of collectibles, furniture is normally collected according to time period rather than particular item. For example, no one wants to have just tables or just chairs from different time periods. The most popular way of collecting furniture from ages past is to choose your favorite time period and look for items from that period. There are plenty of different periods from which you can choose. For example, the Queen Anne period dates back to 1702-1714 and is characterized by delicate lines, excellent balance and a lack of excessive adornment. This is in contrast to the later Louis XV period which features gilding and intricate scrollwork.
In addition to time period, you may find that you have a particular building material you are most fond of. Most antiques are crafted from wood, although there are many different types of wood that you may come across. Rosewood is one such wood that was popular in Victorian times for many different types of furniture. Walnut was commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries. Beech was used from the 17th to 19th centuries as a popular wood for framing and for furniture that was to be painted. Once you know how to recognize different woods and their patinas, you will be more adept in spotting fakes.
On the subject of fakes, this is something that anyone wanting to collect antique furniture needs to know about. Unfortunately, there are reproductions that are sold as the real thing to unassuming customers. Sometimes, the seller is not even aware that the piece they are selling is not a real antique. Before you go shopping, it’s a good idea to do some reading and research about the time period of furniture you are in the market for. By understanding the characteristics that define real antiques as well as fakes, you can often distinguish a real antique from a reproduction.
