Drop Leaf Sideboard

To tell how old your drop leaf table is, first see if it bears a maker's mark. Looking up this marking using trusted online resources can enable you to identify the maker. From there, you can conduct further research to determine when it was in business and crafting tables like yours. For unmarked tables, it is generally necessary to become familiar with the various styles of drop leaf tables, such as the 17th-century Gateleg table, recognizable by the stretchers that connect its legs, and the 18th-century Pembroke table, which typically has two drawers. However, contemporary reproductions of these types of tables exist, making it difficult to date pieces without training and experience. As a result, you may wish to use the services of a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of drop leaf tables.

While you can look for markings and other details to try and determine the maker, the best way to identify an antique drop leaf table is to work with a certified appraiser. Trusted online venues and search engines can be helpful when conducting research on a specific collectible, piece of jewelry, art work or other item about which you may have questions, but qualified professionals, such as an antiques dealer or an appraiser at an auction house, have the knowledge and experience needed to make more accurate identifications. Shop a selection of antique, vintage and modern tables on 1stDibs.

The difference between a gateleg table and a drop leaf table is the design of the section that you can raise to expand the piece. On a drop leaf table, the extension does not have any lower support. A gateleg table has a leg that swings out to rest beneath the extension. Find a selection of tables from some of the world's best sellers on 1stDibs.