Skip to main content

Antique Highboy Furniture

to
18
261
10
146
102
66
66
66
33
24
22
15
14
11
9
8
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
3
3
2
2
1
Sort By
Antique French Provincial Louis XV Burled Walnut and Parcel Painted Highboy
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style highboy dresser or chest of drawers In the manner
Category

1920s American French Provincial Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Romweber Style French Art Deco Burled Walnut Highboy Dresser, Circa 1920s
By Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Art Deco or Louis XVI style highboy dresser or chest of drawers In the
Category

1920s American Louis XVI Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

1930s Rockford Furniture Jacobean Style Handcrafted Secretary Desk
By Rockford National Furniture Company 1
Located in Germantown, MD
A Jacobean-style slant front Hancrafted and handcarved by the renowned Rockford Chair and Furniture
Category

Early 20th Century Jacobean Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Queen Anne Mahogany Highboy
Located in Wilson, NC
The top section of this Queen Anne highboy has a crown with Wall of Troy molding and a blind
Category

1770s English Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Queen Anne Mahogany Highboy
Queen Anne Mahogany Highboy
H 65.5 in W 40.75 in D 21.38 in
Vintage 18th Century Charleston Highboy
Located in west palm beach, FL
An extraordinary vintage 18th Century highboy. Beautiful hand carved detail and a gorgeous patina
Category

Early 18th Century American Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique 18th Century Charleston Highboy
Vintage 18th Century Charleston Highboy
H 87.25 in W 41.75 in D 22.75 in
French Empire Highboy Dresser, 1810
Located in Leimen, DE
Introducing a stunning French Empire Dresser from 1810, featuring a classic semainier design with five drawers adorned in elegant mahogany veneer. This exquisite piece boasts a stric...
Category

1810s French Empire Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique French Empire Highboy Dresser, 1810
French Empire Highboy Dresser, 1810
H 45.28 in W 33.86 in D 16.15 in
English Chinoiserie Highboy Chest of Drawers
Located in Queens, NY
English Georgian style (18/19th Century) highboy chest in two sections with painted Chinoiserie
Category

19th Century Georgian Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Lacquer

American Highboy Chest of Drawers
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
This is a special piece. Solid cherry wood exterior with solid poplar interior. Dowel construction on the entire casing. Each of the 9 drawers has dovetail construction on both the f...
Category

Late 19th Century American American Colonial Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Antique American Highboy Chest of Drawers
American Highboy Chest of Drawers
H 72 in W 38 in D 20 in
Rare Queen Anne Highboy and Matching Lowboy
Located in Woodbury, CT
antique furniture. The Highboy and Lowboy are a perfect pair, offering both functionality and historical
Category

Early 18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Wood, Maple, Walnut

18th Century New England Queen Anne Highboy
Located in Norwood, NJ
Queen Anne bonnet top highboy, Northeast, Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts 18th century
Category

Mid-18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Fine Antique Highboy Chest With Shell Carving
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and very well made 19th Century American Highboy. The Chest, with fine traditional form and
Category

19th Century American Georgian Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Impressive Stately 19th Century Mahogany American Highboy
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Large and stately 81" high American Queen Anne or Chippendale style mahogany highboy having two
Category

19th Century American Chippendale Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Victorian Figured Oak Five-Drawer Highboy Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous late Victorian or Arts & Crafts style five-drawer highboy dresser USA, Circa 1900
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Desirable New England Diminutive Two Part Highboy
Located in Stamford, CT
A desirable, diminutive New England two part flat top highboy, in rare transitional William & Mary
Category

Mid-18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Broken Arch Top Harlequin Highboy for Restoration
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made Highboy with fine traditional form, dove-tail drawer construction, later Batwing
Category

19th Century American Classical Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Hollywood Regency Highboy Chest Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Mahogany Chinese Chippendale Hollywood Regency Highboy Chest Dresser. Item features a cedar
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Queen Anne Highboy with Engraved Brasses
Located in Milford, NH
A fine Queen Anne two part highboy with a molded cornice surmounting an upper case with five
Category

Mid-17th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th Century Two Part Chippendale Highboy in Cherrywood
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two part Chippendale cherry highboy with a wonderful warm color and patina. The upper case
Category

18th Century American Chippendale Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique 18th Century New Hampshire Queen Anne Maple Highboy
Located in Westfield, MA
This distinguished 18th-century New Hampshire Queen Anne maple highboy, a testament to early
Category

Late 18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Maple

18th-Century Queen Anne Walnut Chest on Stand / Highboy
Located in Hoddesdon, GB
A wonderful early 18th-century Queen Anne period walnut chest on stand/highboy, displaying its
Category

Early 18th Century English Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Floral Painted Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Six Drawer Highboy Chest c1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
Chinese Chippendale Mahogany Six Drawer Highboy Chest c1920. 76 7/8" x 37 1/2" x 20". A striking
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Cherry Queen Anne Style Flat Top Highboy
Located in Bridgeport, CT
19th century Queen Anne style highboy in two parts with 5 graduated upper drawers having dovetail
Category

19th Century Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pine Highboy Chest of Six Drawers, Denmark circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
This antique pine chest of drawers or "highboy" has 6 drawers, providing ideal storage in a narrow
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Country Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Queen Anne American Cherry Bonnet Top Highboy, 18th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Queen Anne American Cherry Bonnet top highboy, 18th century.  
Category

18th Century American Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Exceptional 18th Century English Chinoiserie Two Part Oak Highboy
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional English Chinoiserie or Japanned lacquered two part oak highboy with a molded cornice
Category

18th Century English Chinoiserie Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

English Renaissance Style Pictorial Mahogany and Iron Highboy Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
English Renaissance style (19th-20th century) highboy cabinet with a painted pastoral scene on the
Category

Late 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Iron

Lieutenant Samuel Pratt's Walnut Highboy, circa 1740 Boston, MA
Located in Milford, NH
An exceptional two part highboy in burled walnut veneer, the upper case featuring a molded cornice
Category

1740s Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 1900's Chippendale Mahogany Highboy Chest of Drawers
Located in Germantown, MD
A beautiful and patinated Early 1900's Chippendale genuine Mahogany highboy chest of drawers in
Category

Early 20th Century American Chippendale Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century American Chippendale Style Curly Tiger Maple Highboy
Located in Forney, TX
stand from the 19th century. This curly maple highboy has five dovetailed graduated drawers with
Category

19th Century American Chippendale Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Maple

Centennial Antique 1870s Era Philadelphia Carved Mahogany Highboy with Shells
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
A spectacular Georgian design highboy or chest on chest was hand carved about 1876, celebrating the
Category

1870s American Chippendale Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Flame Mahogany Highboy Chest of Drawers, Circa 1880s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Empire or Victorian flame mahogany highboy dresser or chest of drawers with
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Mother-of-Pearl

19th Century Sheraton Tiger Maple + Cherry Highboy Chest of Drawers
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Procured from generational maryland estate. At least one obvious repair to the maple veneer, top surface looks refinished. Drawers do not run very smooth, and they drop when pulled ...
Category

19th Century American Sheraton Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Maple

Swedish Gustavian Cupboard/ Highboy in Lime Washed Finish, 19th Century
Located in Essex, MA
Perfect and already set up a media cabinet, this Swedish Gustavian cupboard in a lime-washed finish, 19th century, has two doors over a single drawer over two cupboard doors on a bra...
Category

19th Century Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Wood

American Queen Anne Maple Highboy, 18th Century - Van Sweringen Brothers Estate
Located in Savannah, GA
An American Queen Anne maple highboy, circa 1750. Two pieces. Provenance: Sweringen Brother's
Category

18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Maple

Spanish Catalan Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers, Highboy or Console, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Catalan Spanish carved walnut chest of drawers, highboy or console Country Provincial
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Spanish Catalan Carved Walnut Chest of Drawers, Highboy or Console, 1920s
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Catalan Spanish carved walnut chest of drawers, highboy or console Country Provincial
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Walnut

American Queen Anne Cherry Flat Top Graduated Highboy, Connecticut, Circa 1750
Located in Charleston, SC
American Queen Anne cherry flat top highboy with a molded edge cornice, two flanking upper case
Category

1750s American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th Century New England Highboy in Cherry with Fan Carving
Located in Milford, NH
A fine two part married cherry highboy in cherry with a molded cornice surmounting an upper case
Category

18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Chippendale Mahogany Carved Ball and Claw Highboy Tall Chest Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Chippendale Style Mahogany Carved Ball and Claw Highboy Tall Chest Dresser (1 piece
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Chippendale Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Beautiful early 18th century English oak cabinet/chest on stand/highboy
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered this beautiful, charming early 18th century English oak cabinet/chest on stand/highboy
Category

Early 18th Century English Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century American Queen Anne Flat Top Maple Highboy Double
Located in Southampton, NY
Late 18th Century American Queen Anne Flat Top Maple Highboy Double, Four short drawers with
Category

Late 18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique New England Queen Anne Curly Tiger Maple Small Chest Dresser Highboy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique New England Queen Anne Curly Tiger Maple Small Tall Chest Dresser Highboy. Item features
Category

19th Century English Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 18th Century Antique Walnut Chest on Chest or Highboy
Located in Naples, IT
Chest of drawers in walnut wood and walnut root with extractable desk. England, 18th century.
Category

Early 18th Century English Chippendale Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th C. George III Mahogany Highboy Tall Chest on Chest 8 Drawer Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. George III Mahogany Highboy Tall Chest on Chest 8 Drawer Dresser. Item features 2 part
Category

Early 19th Century Unknown George III Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

English George II Style Burl Walnut and Marquetry Chest on Stand or Highboy
Located in Firenze, IT
quality which add considerable interest and value to this antique piece of furniture. This highboy thanks
Category

Late 19th Century British George II Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

American Queen Anne Antique Sycamore Flat-Top Highboy, New England c. 1760
Located in Shippensburg, PA
QUEEN ANNE CARVED AND FIGURED SYCAMORE FLAT-TOP HIGHBOY New England States, circa 1760-1780
Category

18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique American Burl Walnut Lock Side Eastlake Highboy Chest of Drawers 1870
Located in Portland, OR
, whilst being a very useful piece of storage furniture.
Category

1870s American Eastlake Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Burl

19th C. Chippendale Style Mahogany Ball and Claw Highboy Tall Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
19th C. Crotch Mahogany Chippendale Style Ball and Claw Highboy Tall Chest of Drawers. Item
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Chippendale Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century Queen Anne Cherry Wood Two Part Highboy with Radial Fan Carving
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful Queen Anne cherry wood two part highboy with a mahoganized finish, with a molded
Category

Mid-17th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Brass

18th Century Queen Anne Highboy
Located in West Chester, PA
18th century walnut Queen Anne highboy with beautiful grain three drawers over four in upper case
Category

18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

18th Century Queen Anne Highboy
H 82 in W 40 in D 30 in
Queen Anne Walnut Highboy
By William Savery
Located in West Chester, PA
Finely grained wood, chamfered fluted corners, fishtail skirt. Cabriole legs with shells on knees terminating in bold trifit feet. Descended in the Scull family of Philadelphia. Attr...
Category

18th Century American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Queen Anne Walnut Highboy
Queen Anne Walnut Highboy
H 77 in W 41 in D 22 in
American Highboy
Located in Hinsdale, IL
Beautifully constructed American Cherry Highboy, with dovetails visible on case at each drawer
Category

18th Century and Earlier American Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Cherry

American Highboy
American Highboy
H 69.75 in W 39 in D 21 in
English Highboy
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Highboy or chest on chest with faux front cabinet doors revealing three shelves in upper portion of
Category

1880s British Regency Antique Highboy Furniture

English Highboy
English Highboy
H 85.5 in W 50.25 in D 21.75 in
American Queen Anne Highboy
Located in Stamford, CT
18th century flat-top highboy circa 1760, in two parts with four graduated drawers on top portion
Category

Mid-18th Century American American Colonial Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Wood

American Queen Anne Highboy
American Queen Anne Highboy
H 70 in W 39 in D 19 in
Queen Anne Cherry Highboy
Located in Wells, ME
Furniture' by Albert Sack (page 189) A virtually identical highboy that is designated 'Masterpiece'.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Cherry

Queen Anne Cherry Highboy
Queen Anne Cherry Highboy
H 72 in W 33.5 in D 18.5 in
George I Black Japanned Highboy
Located in New York, NY
Good George I black japanned highboy with japanned decoration; the upper section fitted with
Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Highboy Furniture

Materials

Wood

George I Black Japanned Highboy
George I Black Japanned Highboy
H 63 in W 40 in D 22 in
Queen Anne Flat-Top Highboy
Located in Litchfield, CT
Connecticut, Probably Wethersfield, circa 1750-1775. Cherry; Secondary wood: eastern white pine. This fine example exhibits great proportions to the case with finely executed twin ca...
Category

18th Century and Earlier American Queen Anne Antique Highboy Furniture

Queen Anne Flat-Top Highboy
Queen Anne Flat-Top Highboy
H 71.5 in W 37.25 in D 21 in
Antique Highboy with Decorative Cornice
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Chest on chest on bracket feet with decorative paint finish added later. Please contact for current availability.
Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Highboy Furniture

Newport, Rhode Island Maple Flattop Highboy
Located in Wells, ME
Newport, Rhode Island maple flattop highboy with shell carved apron. Diminutive in size and
Category

18th Century and Earlier Antique Highboy Furniture

18th Century English Oak Highboy/Chest
Located in Richmond, VA
18th Century English Oak Highboy/Chest
Category

18th Century and Earlier English Antique Highboy Furniture

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Antique Highboy Furniture", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Antique Highboy Furniture For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal piece of antique highboy furniture for your home. Frequently made of wood, metal and brass, every item from our selection of antique highboy furniture was constructed with great care. Your living room may not be complete without a choice in our collection of antique highboy furniture — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each object in our assortment of antique highboy furniture bearing Georgian, Victorian or Art Deco hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made option in this array of antique highboy furniture over the years, but those crafted by John Widdicomb, Baker Furniture Company and Charles Limbert are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Antique Highboy Furniture?

A piece of antique highboy furniture can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $5,925, while the lowest priced sells for $1 and the highest can go for as much as $425,000.

Finding the Right Storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Antique Highboy Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    In furniture, a highboy is a chest of drawers that rests on decorative legs. Its name comes from the French word for wood, "bois," which sounds similar to the English word “boy.” On 1stDibs, shop a collection of highboy furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Queen Anne era highboys are part of the American Colonial style of furniture. Ornately constructed and expertly crafted, furniture enthusiasts are always on the lookout for examples of these pieces. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of Queen Anne highboys from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024
    Yes, antique furniture is in style. Many people appreciate the beauty and handcrafted character of antique furniture and love the idea of owning pieces with a rich history. Remember that style preferences are nothing if not fluid, meaning what's in one year may not be the next. So, in choosing the furniture you're planning to live with, you should pay less attention to interior design fads than to what speaks to you. That way, you can select pieces that will add long-term character to your home. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of antique furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019

    A piece of furniture is considered an antique if it is at least 100 years old.

  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    Many antique furniture brands are popular. While trends in collecting do vary over time, some makers consistently remain highly sought after. Among them are J. & J.W. Meeks, John Henry Belter, R. J. Horner and Co., Stickley Furniture, George Hepplewhite, Josef Dannhauser, Thomas Chippendale and Thomas Sheridan. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of antique furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    To know if your furniture is antique, look for labels and markings that indicate the maker. From there, you can use trusted online resources to determine when they were active and examine images to try to estimate the age of your piece. Furniture produced 100 years ago or more is antique. You can also have your furniture assessed by an appraiser or antiques dealer to learn about its age. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Antique furniture can be worth quite a lot, particularly if it is in good quality. The rarer the piece, the higher the value.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    Whether antique furniture is making a comeback is a matter of opinion. Many people would argue that antique furniture never faded from fashion, as there have always been individuals who love the idea of owning pieces that have history. Some of the most popular styles for antique furniture include Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Renaissance Revival, Elizabethan, Gothic Revival, Victorian and Chippendale. Find a large collection of antique furniture from some of the world's top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    To date antique furniture from the UK, first look for identifying markings on the piece. You can then use trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active. From there, you may be able to estimate the year of production by looking at images of other furniture the maker produced. An expert appraiser or antiques dealer can also aid you in the dating process. Find a large selection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    There are a number of factors that can indicate if your antique furniture is valuable. When determining the value of antique furniture, consider its rarity. Additionally, it is important to determine the quality and condition of vintage furniture. If unsure of the value of your vintage furniture, have it appraised.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
    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 ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    The best finish for antique furniture is a matter of liking. But film finish is recommended by experts as it leaves a thick coat of film on the wood surface which protects wood from water and scratches. Shellac or varnish and water base are commonly used film finishes. Find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage furniture on 1stDibs
  • PAGODA RED
    PAGODA REDOctober 7, 2020

    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.

  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024
    To tell how old your antique furniture is, research the maker using trusted online resources. You may find that the furniture maker was active for only a short period, giving you the ability to roughly estimate its age. For manufacturers and designers with a long history of production, consider the style of your furniture and look for images of similar pieces published online. Because it may be difficult to date furniture on your own, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of antique furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    To tell what your antique furniture is worth, look at sales histories on trusted online platforms and read valuation guides posted on trusted online resources. The maker, type, style, age and condition of your furniture will impact its value. Researching furniture produced by the same maker is a good starting point. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also aid you in the valuation process. Find a large collection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
    How old furniture that is called antique can be is typically at least 100 years. People usually call furniture between 20 and 99 years old vintage. Contemporary is the word for furniture manufactured within the last 20 years. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    To tell antique furniture from reproduction, first check for a maker's mark. By researching the maker associated with the marking using trusted online resources, you can determine when they were active. If the company was in business 100 years ago or more, your piece may be an antique, but if the company's history began more recently, your piece is likely a reproduction. If you can't locate a marking, study the details of the furniture up close. Genuine antiques will often show tool marks and slight variations in carved details because they were typically handcrafted. Most contemporary furniture is machine-made, so you won't usually see these types of characteristics. When in doubt, have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your furniture. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024
    To tell who made your antique furniture, seek out a maker's marking. Locations of these marks vary, but they are generally in an inconspicuous location. For example, a dresser may have the mark inside a drawer or on the back, while a hallmark on a table is often on a leg or under the tabletop. Once you locate a mark, you can use trusted online resources to identify the maker and learn more about them. If you can't find a marking on your piece, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you with the identification process. Explore a large selection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024
    To be considered antique, furniture must usually be at least 100 years old. Contemporary is the name for furniture produced within the last 20 years. Vintage furniture is at least 20 years old. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers.

Read More

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.