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How can you tell if a dining chair is antique?

1 Answer
How can you tell if a dining chair is antique?
To tell if a dining chair is antique, first look for markings that can help you identify the maker. You will normally find these under the seat. By using information published on trusted online resources, you can research the markings to learn who made the chair and when the maker was active. Any dining chair made 100 years ago or earlier is an antique. Another way to identify antique chairs is to examine their details closely. Most antique dining chairs are handmade, so you can expect to see subtle tool markings and slight irregularities. A lack of these characteristics may indicate that a dining chair is machine-made and less likely to be an antique. For assistance with dating your dining chairs, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of antique dining chairs.
1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024
Shop for Dining Room Chairs on 1stDibs
Axel Einar Hjorth Set of Six High Back Chairs in Oak and Brown Velvet, 1930s
Located in Prague, New Town
Exceptional set of six high back chairs, special commissioned model, designed by Axel Einar Hjorth, 1930s. Produced in Sweden, 1938. Oak, recently upholstered in brown velvet with me...
Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Oak

Vienna Secessionist Bentwood Cafe Bistro Dining Chair att. to Thonet c 1910/20's
Located in New York, NY
Vienna Secessionist Cafe, Bistro style dining chair constructed of beech using the signature steam bent technique. This example was made in Austria, circa 1910/20's attributed to Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Vienna Secession Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Wood, Beech

Set of 6 Oak Razor Back Dining Chairs by Henning Kjaernulf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 6 Brutalist oak throne-like dining chairs by Henning Kjaernulf for Nyrup Møbelfabrik. Solid oak frames with decoratively carved 'Razor' design backrests and gray upholstered f...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Set of Six Mid-20th Century French Mutton Leg Chairs, Green Leather Upholstery
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This set of six French oak mutton leg side chairs or dining chairs from the mid twentieth century are of hand pegged construction. These tall dining chairs with arched backs are upho...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Leather

Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern W199 Bent-Wood Chairs by Walter Gropius for Thonet
Located in Lafayette, IN
Spectacular set of 6 "W199" bentwood armchairs designed by Bauhaus co-founder Walter Gropius. Set features (2) "captains chairs" with arms and (4) of the even-more-rare arm-less chai...
Category

Vintage 1940s American Bauhaus Chairs

Materials

Wood, Plywood

Antique Set 8 Art Deco Burr Walnut Cream Leather Cloud Back Chairs 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Set of 8 Art Deco coud back dining chairs, attributed to the world renowned cabinet makers, Harry & Lou Epstein, Circa 1930 in date. The set of eight chairs are the highly desirable...
Category

Early 20th Century English Art Deco Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

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