Questions & Answers
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How do you identify antique Chinese furniture?
1 Answer
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.
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
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Shop for Chinese Furniture on 1stDibs
Antique 18th Century Cast Bronze Chinese Qing Dynasty Censer Xuande Mark
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique late 18th century Chinese archaic style bronze censer with a Xuande mark.
The censer made of cast bronze is very finely modeled, the flared mouth with a key pattern, t...
Category
Antique 1780s Chinese Qing Metalwork
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Vintage Chinese Hand-knotted Wool Rug with Cherry Blossoms and Bamboo Decor
Located in Bochum, NRW
Vintage Chinese Wool Rug, China 90 Line, 1990s.
This is a handwoven rug made of wool pile on cotton warp, with rich cherry flowers and bamboo designs. This model is sometimes called ...
Category
1990s Chinese Chinoiserie Chinese and East Asian Rugs
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Wool
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Chinese Double Sided Carved Opera Troupe Prop Sign Calligraphy Panels 45"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of vintage mid to early 20th century hardwood opera troupe prop signage hanging panels, carved on both sides with gilded calligraphy; gold edges / frame.
Translation:
Left pane...
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Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Decorative Art
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Chinese Red & Black Lacquer Figural Soapstone Dry Bar Cabinet Chinoiserie
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th Century Chinese Red and Black Lacquer Soapstone Inlaid Dry Bar, circa 1960s. Features a demilune form with flip top opening to a mirrored area for glassware and bottles as ...
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Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Cabinets
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Pair Chinese Blue Foo Lion Dogs, circa Late 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Chinese porcelain blue foo lion dogs decorative objects with a dark turquoise blue glaze, circa late 19th to early-20th century, China. Pair are a nice size, not too big or...
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Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Ceramics
Materials
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1920s Antique Handmade Chinese Peking Wool Rug In Purple with Floral Design
Located in Norwalk, CT
This exquisite antique Chinese Art Deco rug is hand-knotted with high-quality wool. It features a purple background accented by an elegant traditional pattern in multicolor tones, be...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Art Deco Chinese and East Asian Rugs
Materials
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