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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

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

Large Couple Foo Dogs Temple Lions Turquoise Ceramic 25cm
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful pair of foo dogs, temple lions, vintage figurines made of turquoise, light blue colored glazed ceramic, China, not marked, circa mid 20th century. This beautiful pair is n...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

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

Large Chinese Jewelry Box Jewelry Box Jade Rosewood Brass
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large Vintage rosewood wooden jewelry box, jewelry storage box with 5 drawers and 2 doors, decorated with jade and brass fittings, circa mid 20th century, marked Shanghai made in Chi...
Category

Vintage 1960s Chinese Chinoiserie Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Brass

Black Lacquer Six-Panel Screen Divider with Hand-Painted Red-Crested Cranes
Located in Yonkers, NY
This vintage Chinese six-panel screen offers a commanding depiction of red-crested Manchurian cranes in flight and repose, rendered across a black lacquer ground with intricate hand-...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Wood

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