How can I tell if my Chinese furniture is antique?

To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.

How to know if my Chinese porcelain is antique?

The best way to know is to take it to an expert, such as an appraiser, reputable dealer or auction house, or museum

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.

Antique Chinese Knife

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Motif Knife or Letter Opener

$250

H 12 in W 1 in D 1 in

Chinese Export Silver Dragon Motif Knife or Letter Opener

Located in Stamford, CT

Chinese Export silver dinner knife. Overall motif on the handle of dragons with clouds. Single

Category

1880s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Print of Chinese Natives by Valentijn, 1726

$175

H 13.19 in W 8.08 in D 0.02 in

Antique Print of Chinese Natives by Valentijn, 1726

By F. Valentijn

Located in Langweer, NL

Untitled print of the Dutch arriving and pointing their guns at Chinese natives, armed with rocks

Category

Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Paper

Recent Sales

Rare Chinese Export knife box

Unavailable

H 13.5 in W 11.75 in D 14 in

Rare Chinese Export knife box

Located in New York, NY

Rare Chinese Export knife box, circa 1800. With sloping cover and serpentine-shaped front, the

Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Chinese Knife

Chinese Elegant Silver Mounted Traveling Knife and Chopstick Set

Sold

H 4.25 in W 13 in D 1.25 in

Chinese Elegant Silver Mounted Traveling Knife and Chopstick Set

Located in Chicago, IL

Suitably transportable yet elegantly crafted, this silver-accented traveling set of a knife and

Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Silver, Steel

Chinese Primitive Asian Antique Knife Cleaver Distressed Wood

Sold

H 2 in W 19.75 in D 0.75 in

Chinese Primitive Asian Antique Knife Cleaver Distressed Wood

Located in Chula Vista, CA

Chinese Primitive Asian antique knife cleaver distressed braided woven wood handle Chinese-Asian

Category

Early 20th Century Asian Primitive Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Metal

Very Rare Chinese Eastern Zhou Archaic Bronze Sword / Knife / Dagger / Weapon

Sold

H 14.41 in W 21.74 in D 1.74 in

Very Rare Chinese Eastern Zhou Archaic Bronze Sword / Knife / Dagger / Weapon

Located in Sampantawong, TH

Very rare Chinese Eastern Zhou archaic bronze sword. Age: China, Eastern Zhou Dynasty, 771 - 221

Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Bronze

Ancient Antique Chinese Eastern Zhou Bronze Sword / Knife / Dagger with Stand

Sold

H 28.63 in W 1.78 in D 0.79 in

Ancient Antique Chinese Eastern Zhou Bronze Sword / Knife / Dagger with Stand

Located in Sampantawong, TH

Ancient Chinese bronze sword with nice green patina. Age: China, Eastern Zhou Dynasty, 771 - 221

Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Bronze

19th Century High Quality Chinese Trousse Traveling Bone Utensil Set

Sold

H 12 in W 0.75 in D 0.75 in

19th Century High Quality Chinese Trousse Traveling Bone Utensil Set

Located in Vero Beach, FL

This is a very fine example of an antique Chinese trousse or eating set. It contains a single edged

Category

19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Bone

Ancient Antique Chinese Eastern Zhou Bronze Sword / Knife / Dagger with Stand

Sold

H 21.15 in W 22.17 in D 1.46 in

Ancient Antique Chinese Eastern Zhou Bronze Sword / Knife / Dagger with Stand

Located in Sampantawong, TH

Ancient Chinese bronze sword with nice green patina. Age: China, Eastern Zhou Dynasty, 771 - 221

Category

15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Bronze

Set of 12 Chinese Export Silver Butter Knives

Sold

H 5.5 in W 0.63 in D 0.07 in

Set of 12 Chinese Export Silver Butter Knives

By Wai Kee

Located in New York, NY

12th knife has engraved version of the same motif. It is hallmarked SG with number 85 and Chinese

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Silver

A Chinese Export Lacquer Knife Box

Sold

W 15.95 in L 14.77 in

A Chinese Export Lacquer Knife Box

Located in New York, NY

A rare 18th century Chinese export lacquer box of large scale, every surface decorated with raised

Category

18th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Lacquer

JAMES DIXON & SONS Bakelite Handle FISH KNIFE & FISH FORK Set Fish Engraving

Sold

H 0.5 in W 2.5 in D 13 in

JAMES DIXON & SONS Bakelite Handle FISH KNIFE & FISH FORK Set Fish Engraving

Located in St. Petersburg, FL

CHINA FINDERS China, Crystal, Flatware and Collectible Matching Service is offering ONE (1

Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Chinese Knife

Chinese Export Silver Fish Fork & Knife

Sold

H 2.25 in W 12.25 in D 5 in

Chinese Export Silver Fish Fork & Knife

By Siu Kee

Located in Oaks, PA

Heavy Chinese export silver salad set, each one engraved with bamboo and moon motif, Hallmarked Siu

Category

Early 1900s Hong Kong Chinese Export Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of English Chinese Chippendale Knife Boxes

Sold

H 29.5 in W 13.5 in D 13.5 in

Pair of English Chinese Chippendale Knife Boxes

Located in Charleston, SC

An exceptional pair of carved mahogany knife boxes. Exquisitely carved by a master craftsman, these

Category

19th Century English Antique Chinese Knife

Materials

Mahogany

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Antique Chinese Knife For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic antique Chinese knife available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and brass, every antique Chinese knife was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect antique Chinese knife — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right antique Chinese knife, those designed in folk art styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made antique Chinese knife over the years, but those crafted by F. Valentijn are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Antique Chinese Knife?

Prices for an antique Chinese knife can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $90 and can go as high as $32,293, while the average can fetch as much as $5,150.