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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
Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Fish Tail Lamps on Gilt Bases.
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Pair of Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Fish Tail Lamps on Gilt Bases. 20th Century.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Table Lamps

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Early 20th Century Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Spill Vases
Located in Glasgow, GB
This pair of Chinese Export porcelain vases, dating to the early 20th century, is finely hand-decorated in the Famille Rose palette, a celebrated colour tradition within Qing dynasty...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Vases

Materials

Porcelain

Old Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Rosewood Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Old Chinese rosewood wooden jewelry box, jewelry box with brass fittings and a jade plaque in the center of the lid, inside a red lining with golden floral decoration, second half of...
Category

Vintage 1960s Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Brass

Pair 19th Century Cloisonné Vases
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 19th Century bronze cloisonné vases. These baluster form vessels feature an enameled body with all-over polychrome foliage motifs on a turquoise ground, with two dragon handl...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Vases

Materials

Metal, Enamel, Bronze

Vintage Chinese Eight Panel Coromandel Screen
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Chinese eight panel coromandel screen composed of wood and lacquer. This screen depicts daily life on one side and a landscape with birds and fauna on the other side.
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Fine Black Lacquer Low Table with Gilt Motif
Located in Greenwich, CT
An elegant black lacquer rectangular low table with gilt motif landscape top. simple and beautiful form. We carry Fine quality furniture with elegant finished and has been appeared m...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Lacquer

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