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How do you identify antique Chinese furniture?

1 Answer
How do you identify antique Chinese furniture?
To identify antique Chinese furniture, look carefully at its details. Chinese craftsmen often built furniture using mortise and tenon joinery, eliminating the need for nails and screws. If you see this type of hardware, your piece is likely not at least 100 years old, especially if the hardware still looks new and shiny. Since antique furniture was handmade, you will normally see slight imperfections, such as tool marks or slight variations in carvings. Pieces that appear completely uniform and pristine are less often genuine antiques.

When present, maker's marks can also be helpful. Research the marks to learn more about when the maker was active and producing pieces like yours. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer evaluate your furniture for you.

Shop an assortment of antique Chinese furniture.
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
Shop for Chinese Furniture on 1stDibs
9 x 12 Navy Blue Antique Art Deco Chinese Wool Rug With Classic Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This antique Chinese Art Deco rug is hand-knotted from high-quality wool and features a deep navy blue background with a tan floral design, elegantly framed by a matching tan border....
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs

Materials

Wool

19th Century Chinese Day Bed
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful 19th century Canopy Top Chinese Day Bed. Worn red lacquer over Elm with having a rich spectacular patina. Inset rattan platform is removable, entire bed separates into se...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Blue & White Porcelain Mantel Vase Urn 17"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Chinese Qing Dynasty baluster shaped vase / jar / urn - made of white Kaolin clay / porcelain with a pale cobalt bluish-green hue, hand painted with a scene of a...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Urns

Materials

Porcelain

Peacock Blue Chinese Glazed Lamp With Bronze Mounts
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Chinese ceramic lamp in a deep peacock blue glaze, featuring molded figural and foliate relief work over a crackled surface. The vase-form body is mounted on an embossed bronze base ...
Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Black Lacquer Altar Table / Console Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Black lacquer altar table / console table with everted flanges, elegant detail
Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Console Tables

Materials

Wood

Goethite Impression
Located in London, GB
This extraordinary Goethite specimen from Guangdong, China, looks like a vibrant abstract painting. Its surface shimmers with a rainbow of iridescent colors—purples, blues, greens, a...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Natural Specimens

Materials

Crystal, Rock Crystal

Goethite Impression
$7,500
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