Question 1

How do I identify my antique furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify your antique furniture, look for an engraving, tag, label or other marking that indicates who produced it. You may find it on the bottom or back of your furniture or inside a drawer or cabinet. Once you have located the marking, you can snap a photo of it and use a reverse image search to try and identify the maker. Or, you can type a description of the mark into a search engine. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or antiques dealer to get assistance with identification. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique furniture.

Question 2

How do I identify my furniture?

Accepted Answer

An easy way to identify your furniture is to look at the manufacturing label, stamp, or tag which shows the name of the creator. There might also be a signature from the furniture maker instead.

Question 3

How do you identify antique Chinese furniture?

Accepted 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.

Question 4

How do I identify Liberty furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Liberty furniture, check discreet areas for a maker's mark. Most Liberty pieces feature a diamond-shaped tag made of ivorine or enameled brass that bears the Liberty name. Early pieces may feature a red or white paper label, while furnishings from select lines may feature an oval-shaped brass tag with the model and maker names. If you need help determining if a particular piece is a Liberty, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Liberty furniture.

Question 5

How do I identify Limbert furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Limbert furniture, search for the label. Limbert marked their pieces with a white paper label that showed off blue lettering. In the center of the label, there will be an image of a craftsman working at a wood bench. Pieces dating back to the early 20th century will say "Arts and Crafts" on them, while furnishings from the mid-1920s bear the words "Limber Furniture by Van Raalte Craftsmen Grand Rapids and Holland, Michigan." If you need assistance, a certified appraiser can evaluate the piece and determine whether it is an authentic Limbert. On 1stDibs, shop a range of authentic Limbert furniture.

Question 6

How do you identify Henredon furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Henredon furniture, search for the maker's mark. It usually appears on the bottoms of couches, chairs and tables and along the top edges or back of cabinets and other case goods. Depending on the age of the piece, the mark may read "Henredon Fine Furniture," "Henredon," or "Heritage Henredon." Many pieces also display the name of the collection that the piece originates from, and you can cross-reference this information with trusted online resources to determine the approximate age of the furniture. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer may also be of help when identifying pieces. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Henredon furniture.

Question 7

How do I identify Scandinavian furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Scandinavian furniture, search your piece for a maker's mark. You will usually find it in an inconspicuous area, such as on a tag sewn onto a cushion, on a base or frame, inside of a drawer or on the underside of a seat or a tabletop. Once you locate the mark, research online to learn more about the maker. Scandinavian design and Nordic design originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway. Explore a diverse assortment of Scandinavian furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 8

How do I identify Stag furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Stag furniture, search your piece for markings. Usually, they will be in an inconspicuous area, such as on the base, inside of a drawer or under a tabletop or seat. Stag changed its markings many times over the years, so by matching the tag on your furniture to images published by trusted online resources, you can often determine the age of your piece and identify its maker. Alternatively, you can ask a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer to assist with the identification process. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Stag furniture.

Question 9

How do I identify Gillows furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Gillows furniture, look for the brand's mark. Most pieces feature one, but locations vary. Look under the tabletop, along the edges of the drawers and on the backs of legs and bases. Typically, the mark appears as a stamp, but the company's artisans sometimes drew it in pencil. Find a variety of expertly vetted Gillows furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 10

How do I identify Widdicomb furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Widdicomb furniture, look for a paper label. On tables, you will usually find it on the underside of the tabletop, while it is typically affixed to the bottoms of seats on chairs. With casegoods, search for the label on the backs or bottoms as well as inside drawers and cabinets. The paper label will identify the maker and may also provide information about the name of the collection and/or the year of production. A certified appraiser or expert antiques dealer can also assist you with identification. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Widdicomb furniture.

Question 11

How do I identify Roycroft furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Roycroft furniture, search for the maker's mark. Usually located in an inconspicuous area, the mark will either be the company's cross and orb logo, the word "Roycroft" or a combination of the two. If your piece is a Roycroft, you can use trusted online resources to learn more about it or have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate it. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Roycroft furniture.

Question 12

How do I identify Drexel furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Drexel furniture, search your piece for maker's markings. They may be on the back or base, inside of a drawer or under a tabletop or seat. Most pieces will display the Drexel brand name. Other information is often included in the stamp. For example, you will sometimes see the date of production listed either backward or forward and/or a style or collection name. By looking up this information in trusted online resources, you can learn more about your piece. An alternative approach is to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer inspect your furniture. Explore a diverse assortment of Drexel furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 13

How do I identify a furniture manufacturer?

Accepted Answer

To identify a furniture manufacturer, examine inconspicuous areas of a piece in search of a maker's mark. On case goods, these marks may be on the base, back or inside of a drawer. Tables, desks and chairs may be marked on their legs or bases or on the undersides of their tops or seats. Makers may add their marks to the cushions, frames or legs of sofas and loveseats, while beds often display marks on their rails or headboard backs. Once you find the marking, you can perform an online search or a reverse image search using a photo to identify the maker. If you need help at any point in the process, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable dealer can assist you. Find a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 14

How do I identify my Henredon furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Henredon furniture, search for the maker's mark. Authentic pieces will typically display Henredon Fine Furniture, Henredon or Heritage Henredon on the back, bottom or other inconspicuous location. Once you've confirmed that your piece is a Henredon, use trusted online resources to determine its age and collection. If you need assistance, enlist the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Find an assortment of Henredon furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 15

How do you identify Biedermeier furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Biedermeier furniture, familiarize yourself with its characteristics. Rather than a maker, Biedermeier refers to a period in history that began in 1815 with the close of the Napoleonic Wars and lasted through 1848, when revolutions broke out in many Central European countries. Furniture produced during this era usually features simple, symmetrical designs with rounded corners and edges; cherry, walnut and birch wood were among the most common materials. During the 20th century, several manufacturers introduced lines of Biedermeier furniture inspired by 19th-century originals. If you find a marking for a 20th-century maker on your furniture, it is most likely one of these later pieces. Because it may be difficult to determine if a furnishing is an original or an example of the revival style, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer help you with the identification process. Shop a collection of Biedermeier furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 16

How do you identify Belter furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Belter furniture, first search the piece for a maker's mark. On case goods, it is usually found on the back, bottom or inside of a drawer, while on beds, the marking generally appears on the stretchers or inner blocks. If you have a table or a chair, you will typically find the marking on a paper label under the seat. Normally, the mark will read "JH Belter." Some pieces also display a patent number and/or date of manufacture, which you can use to learn more about your furniture by conducting research via trusted online resources. If you can't find a marking, it's possible that the label came loose over the years. In this case, you may be able to identify the furniture by looking at an exposed edge. John Henry Belter often used six layers of laminated wood, so by counting the layers, you may be able to make a positive identification. For help with identifying your piece, use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a range of John Henry Belter furniture.

Question 17

How do you identify Lebus furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Lebus furniture, look for the maker's markings. The vast majority of pieces produced by the British manufacturer are signed. Many furnishings have the Lebus name prominently displayed on a metal plate. These tags often read "The Lebus" and then the type of furniture, such as "The Lebus Bookcase" or "The Lebus Desk." If you can't find a nameplate, check the base, back and drawer interiors for markings that read "Lebus" or "HLL." A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you with the identification process as needed. Shop a range of antique Arts and Crafts furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 18

How do I identify McGuire furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify McGuire furniture, first examine it for any markings. Many pieces bear a serial number, which often consists of seven digits in an “X,XXX,XXX” format. By cross-referencing the serial number on your item with information shared on trusted online resources, you can typically learn the age, style name and other information about your piece. Even pieces without the McGuire name usually bear a maker's mark. These markings can also be useful for dating your furniture, as you can compare the marks on your items to images featured in online galleries and catalogues. Should you need any assistance with the identification process, use the services of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of McGuire furniture.

Question 19

How do you identify Danish furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Danish furniture, search inconspicuous areas of your piece for a maker's mark. Upon locating one, use trusted online resources to learn about the maker and determine if your piece originated from Denmark or a Danish designer. Some well-known Danish makers include Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Kaare Klimt, Børge Mogensen, Finn Juhl, HAY, Poul Kjærholm, Vernon Panton and Fritz Hansen. Shop a large selection of Danish furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 20

How do you identify birch furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify birch furniture, look at pictures of items made from the hardwood shared on trusted online resources to become familiar with its visual characteristics. When taken from the outermost layers of trees, birch wood tends to have a whitish or cream-colored appearance, while the inner heartwood appears reddish brown. Birch wood also has a distinctive grain pattern with straight or faintly wavy lines marked by small pores. You can also research your furniture maker to determine if its artisans are known for working with birch. If you'd like an expert opinion on what materials were used to craft your furniture, a certified appraiser or other expert can assist you. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of birch wood furniture.

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