Question 1

How do you identify Colonial furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Colonial furniture, first look the piece over from top to bottom. If you see any maker's marks, conduct research using trusted online resources to find out who produced your item and when the maker was in business. Pieces made in the USA between the mid-16th and mid-17th centuries are usually classified as Colonial. Should you be unable to locate a marking, the materials and style can provide clues.

Most Colonial furniture was made of pine, elm, oak, mahogany or walnut wood. During the period, furniture tended to be simple overall, but it did include a few flourishes, such as turned cabriole legs. Because Colonial furniture was handcrafted, furnishings produced during the era usually have visible tool marks and slight irregularities in their carvings. Because there are numerous reproductions of Colonial pieces, you may wish to seek the opinion of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer.

On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Colonial furniture.

Question 2

How can I identify old furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify old furniture, search inconspicuous areas for maker's marks. Look under seats and tabletops, inside and underneath drawers, on bases and backs and in other hidden areas. Most vintage and many antique furnishings will feature some type of marking, which you can look up using trusted online resources to determine who produced them. When no maker's mark is present, experts recommend consulting a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique and vintage furniture.

Question 3

What is very old furniture called?

Accepted Answer

Very old furniture is called antique furniture. Generally, the term antique describes anything produced 100 years ago or more. Furnishings made between 20 and 99 years ago are vintage, while newer items are contemporary. Shop a wide variety of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 4

How old is Kroehler Furniture?

Accepted Answer

As a company, Kroehler Furniture is more than 125 years old. Fred Long and John Kraushar founded the company as the Naperville Lounge Company in 1898, and in 1902, the name changed to the Kroehler Manufacturing Company. Kroehler continued to produce furniture until 1981. Explore a variety of Kroehler furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 5

How old is Lexington Furniture?

Accepted Answer

The company Lexington Furniture is 120 years old as of 2021. It opened in 1901 as the Dixie-Elk Furniture Company and adopted its current name in 1987. Shop a range of Lexington furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 6

How old is vintage furniture?

Accepted Answer

A piece of furniture must be at least 20 years old to be considered vintage.

Question 7

What is the difference between modern furniture and old furniture?

Accepted Answer

The difference between modern furniture and old furniture is in the specificity of the term. Generally, pieces considered modern date from between the end of World War II in 1945 and the end of the 1970s. During this period, more furniture makers mass produced pieces, and designers increasingly used new materials, such as plywood and plastic. Old furniture is not a specific term. People frequently use the term old for anything that subjectively appears aged. Explore a large selection of modern furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 8

How old is Maitland-Smith furniture?

Accepted Answer

Maitland-Smith Furniture is more than 40 years old. Paul Maitland-Smith established the company in Hong Kong in 1979 after getting his start in London in the 1950s as an antique dealer who also sold reproduction furniture, something that would become a Maitland-Smith specialty. The manufacturer's early reproductions of 17th- and 18th-century furniture included Chippendale dining chairs, and soon afterward, Maitland-Smith expanded into a range of decorative designs that often exude a whimsical spirit, whether a coffee table shaped like a stack of books or a pair of decorative obelisks. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Maitland-Smith furniture.

Question 9

How old is tiger oak furniture?

Accepted Answer

Tiger oak furniture dates back to the 19th century, so it may be hard to pinpoint the exact age. The best way to date tiger oak furniture is to work with an appraiser. You’ll find expertly vetted tiger oak furniture and other wood furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 10

How old is Harmony House furniture?

Accepted Answer

How old Harmony House furniture is varies. Sears began producing the Harmony House range in 1940 and continued to manufacture it through 1964. As a result, the brand's pieces are more than 50 to 80 years old, depending on their year of production. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Harmony House furniture.

Question 11

How can you tell how old Ercol furniture is?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old an Ercol chair is, examine its label, usually under the seat. Some chairs will have the date of manufacture printed right on them, immediately allowing you to date them. Others may display a style number you can look up online to date your chair. When these methods don't work, the label itself can provide clues. The British furniture maker has identified its pieces with different styles of labels over the years, so by comparing what's present on your piece to reference images published on trusted online resources, you can often estimate its age. If you have difficulty dating your chair, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Ercol chairs.

Question 12

How old is Tell City Furniture?

Accepted Answer

As a company, Tell City Furniture is more than 150 years old. The company opened as the Chair Makers Union in 1865 and took the name Tell City Chair Company in 1924. In 2011, the American furniture maker went out of business. Explore a variety of Tell City furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 13

What are old pieces of furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What old pieces of furniture are called depends on their age. Furniture that is at least 100 years old is antique. If a piece of furniture is 20 to 99 years old, it is vintage. You may also see people refer to old furniture by its type and style. For example, someone may say "a Victorian sofa" or a "mid-century modern dining table." On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique and vintage furniture.

Question 14

How old is furniture called antique?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

How can I tell how old a piece of furniture is?

Accepted Answer

There are a couple ways to check the age of your furniture. First, check for any labels, signatures or stamps. Also, check the type of wood and metal that was used for the piece. You can also take your piece to an expert for further inspection. Shop a collection of antique furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 16

How old is Ethan Allen furniture?

Accepted Answer

Ethan Allen furniture is more than 90 years old. Brothers-in-law Nat Ancell and Ted Baumritter founded the company in Beecher Falls, Vermont, in 1932. Initially, the company manufactured housewares and then branched out into furniture making after buying out a bankrupt furniture maker in 1936. Ancell and Baumritter named their first furniture line, Ethan Allen, after a Revolutionary War leader from Vermont. Shop a range of Ethan Allen furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 17

How old is Henry Link furniture?

Accepted Answer

Henry Link Furniture was established in the early 1960s. Although Henry Link is best known for his high-quality wicker dressers, desks, chairs and other seating, the designer and entrepreneur was also a key figure in revolutionizing America’s furniture industry and moving it toward mass production during the early 20th century. When he visited Henry Ford’s automobile plant in Detroit, Michigan, Link became inspired by the factory’s assembly process. Upon his return to Lexington, Link installed automatic conveyors and mass-production techniques at the Dixie Furniture Company, which he was leading as of 1936. To facilitate Dixie Furniture Company’s exponential growth, four separate divisions were created in the 1950s and 1960s, including Henry Link Furniture. The company was purchased by Michigan’s Masco Corporation in 1987. Find vintage Henry Link Furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 18

How can I tell how old my antique furniture is?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 19

How can you tell if old furniture is valuable?

Accepted Answer

To tell if old furniture is valuable, look for tags, labels and stamps that indicate a maker. Then, use trusted online resources to learn more about who produced the furniture and the current demand for similar pieces. Many online platforms will allow you to see how much similar pieces have sold for in the past, but keep in mind that the condition of your furniture will impact how much it is worth. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer evaluate your furniture and provide you with an estimated value. Find a large collection of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 20

How can you tell how old Lane furniture is?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old Lane furniture is, search your piece for a maker's marking. Along with the Lane Furniture name, Lane pieces also display an eight-digit number. When read backward, this number tells you the furniture's year and date of production. For example, a piece marked 06911240 translates to 04, 21, 1960, indicating that Lane manufactured the piece on April 21, 1960. Find a selection of Lane furniture on 1stDibs.

Old Colony Furniture

Early 20th Century Unknown Regency Sideboards

Vintage Old Colony Regency Style Mahogany Sideboard Buffet w/ Writing Surface

Early 20th Century Unknown Federal Secretaires

Vintage Beacon Hill Old Colony Federal Mahogany Tambour Door Secretary Desk

1990s English Dinner Plates

Royal Doulton Old Colony Salad & Bread Plate Dinnerware Set, 12 Pieces

Antique 17th Century Prints

Old Print of Zwartsluis & Ommerschans, 1st Colony of the Society of Benevolence

Vintage 1920s Sterling Silver

Old Colony by Watson Sterling Silver Flatware Set Service 47 Pieces Pointed End

20th Century American Side Tables

Walnut Moderne Sidetable

Mid-20th Century American Ming Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Mid-Century Brass Inlaid and Burl Wood Ming Style Chest by Old Colony Furniture

Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Rare Old Colony Mahogany Serpentine Chest of Drawers, circa 1940s

Vintage 1940s American Dining Room Tables

Federal Mahogany Double Pedestal Dining Table by Old Colony

Mid-20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Old Colony Custom Mahogany Chest of Drawers with Vanity & Stool

20th Century British Nesting Tables and Stacking Tables

Set of Nesting Tables

Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables

Old Colony Walnut & Tooled Leather Oval Writing Table

Vintage 1940s American Bookcases

Custom Mahogany Chippendale Breakfront Bookcase

Antique Mid-19th Century English Queen Anne Cabinets

Japanned Black Lacquer Cabinet

20th Century American Buffets

Cherry Wood TV Entertainment Unit Credenza Buffet Sideboared Storage Cabinet

20th Century American Dining Room Chairs

Set of Ten Mahogany Dining Room Chairs

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair Old Colony Bleached Walnut & Mahogany Commodes

20th Century American Chippendale Console Tables

Old Colony Chippendale Style Mahogany Console or Sideboard / Server

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

MCM Bachelor Chests Serpentine 1950s Pair by OLD COLONY

Vintage 1930s American Colonial Revival Dining Room Tables

American Solid Mahogany Three-Pedestal Gadroon Edge Dining Table

Mid-20th Century American Federal Console Tables

Mahogany Beacon Hill-Old Colony Collection Sideboard

Mid-20th Century American Federal Console Tables

Mahogany Beacon Hill-Old Colony Collection Sideboard

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair of Bench Made Chippendale Style Chests by Old Colony

Vintage 1940s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Pair Regency Commodes In Bleached Walnut & Mahogany

Mid-20th Century Victorian End Tables

2 Victorian Revival Old Colony Furniture Walnut Burl Round Spindle Leg Tables

Vintage 1950s American Game Tables