Skip to main content

Rare Antique Furniture

295
to
6,762
35,706
30,737
34,283
20,540
20,540
15,331
10,069
8,138
5,009
4,986
4,682
2,958
2,612
2,326
2,003
1,869
1,648
1,536
1,079
1,032
991
935
713
618
525
510
493
491
457
456
398
308
272
262
245
243
200
147
136
98
94
85
81
69
67
51
34
33
22
21
18
15
238
205
186
173
153
Sort By
19th Century Biedermeier Étagère Walnut, circa 1830
Located in Epfach, DE
A rare furniture which is perfect for presenting collectibles like porcelain.
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
Located in Berlin, DE
and leg buttons very elaborate workmanship and rare furniture smooth thrusts made of solid linden
Category

19th Century German Biedermeier Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
Empire or Biedermeier Secretary Mahogany, 1815
H 65.36 in W 45.67 in D 20.87 in
Biedermeier Walnut Miniature Blanket Chest
Located in Darmstadt, DE
beginning of the 19th century. A very nice small rare furniture. The bottom of the chest is spruce, the rest
Category

Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Spruce, Walnut

Antique Biedermeier Walnut Miniature Blanket Chest
Biedermeier Walnut Miniature Blanket Chest
H 9.45 in W 16.93 in D 9.65 in
Classic English Commode, Dresser or Sideboard Light Grey Patinated, 1880s
Located in Salzburg, AT
, the furniture is free standing, because the front and the back have the same look. Rare furniture
Category

1880s British Napoleon III Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Wood with Marble Top Antique Genoese Side Table, 1820s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
photo). Rare furniture, of great elegance and refinement, for antique dealers and interior decorators
Category

1820s Italian Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Marble

Japanese Antique Large Drawer 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
. You can use it with peace of mind. Wabi-Sabi aestheticVery rare furniture. Since ancient times
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Large Drawer 1860s-1900s / Sideboard Tansu Wabi Sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
. You can use it with peace of mind. Wabi-Sabi aestheticVery rare furniture. Weight: approx. 50 kg
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Cedar

RARE AND SPECTACULAR 19th Century ITALIAN DRESSING FURNITURE
By Europa Antiques
Located in Madrid, ES
RARE AND SPECTACULAR 19th Century ITALIAN DRESSING FURNITURE Italian in walnut wood with carvings
Category

19th Century Italian Baroque Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare Italian Furniture Ebonized, with Original Mirror and Carvings
Located in Buggiano, IT
Rare Italian furniture from 1880, ebonized, with original mirror and carvings. Flower holder at the
Category

1880s Italian Rustic Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Beech, Fir

Rare Piece of Progressive Arts and Crafts Furniture, Bookcase
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Rare Piece of Progressive Arts and Crafts furniture, in golden oak and stained glass This
Category

Late 19th Century Arts and Crafts Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Oak

Rare and Original Antique Bentwood Thonet Child's Chair 19th Century Furniture
By Thonet
Located in Lisse, NL
a child dates from circa 1860-1880 and the name Thonet needs no further introduction. This rare
Category

19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bentwood

Rare Set of 12 Regency Carved Mahogany Elbow Dining Armchairs Antiques Furniture
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Rare set of 12 Regency carved mahogany elbow dining armchairs, circa 1820 All 12 chairs are
Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Mahogany

1910s Vintage Industrial Toledo Metals Company Factory Office Break Table Rare
By Toledo Metal Furniture Co.
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Furniture Mfg. Decaling. Measure: Diameter 30.25 x height 29.65 in.
Category

1910s American Industrial Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Steel, Iron

Gilded Antique Friezes for Furniture
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
- Rare gilded friezes for furniture, to enrich Your door, Your mirror, Your headboard of bed etc
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Beaux Arts Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Bronze

 Gilded Antique Friezes for Furniture
 Gilded Antique Friezes for Furniture
H 4.34 in W 10.24 in D 0.6 in
Rare Barbara Barry Baker 24K Gold Murano Glass Footed Centerpiece Bowl
By Baker Furniture Company, Barbara Barry
Located in Dayton, OH
Baker Furniture’s Barbara Barry Collection. Measure:18".  
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Gold

Fine 19th Century Egyptian Revival Set of Three Furniture
Located in London, GB
Exquisite and rare set of three Egyptian revival furniture, the set consist of two chairs and a
Category

19th Century Egyptian Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wood

Fine 19th Century Egyptian Revival Set of Three Furniture
Fine 19th Century Egyptian Revival Set of Three Furniture
Free Shipping
H 36.23 in W 48.04 in D 22.84 in
Rare Charles Dodouyt sofa
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in BARCELONA, ES
The large armchairs of the rare model designed by Charles Dudouyt are a true rarity that fuses
Category

Early 20th Century French Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Linen, Oak

Rare Charles Dodouyt sofa
Rare Charles Dodouyt sofa
H 82 in W 120 in D 98 in
Rare Painted Iron Table
By Coalbrookdale Foundry
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine and unusual English mid-19th century cast iron octagonal tilt top table, the top with painted landscape depicting two fishermen on a rock in a river with ruined abbey in the bac...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Iron

Rare Painted Iron Table
Rare Painted Iron Table
H 27.5 in W 22 in D 18 in
Napoleon III Ormolu Architectural, Door or Furniture Mount
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Napoleon III Ormolu Architectural, Door or Furniture Mount France, 19th Century A rare and
Category

19th Century French Napoleon III Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Ormolu

Early and Rare 19th Century Rare Child's Windsor Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
through to the seat. This is a rare find.
Category

Early 19th Century English Country Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Oak

Josef Hoffmann Chair for Jacob and Josef Kohn Furniture
By Josef Hoffmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Josef Hoffmann Chair Model 725 circa 1903-1905. Rare variation with caned seat and back. Usually
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Vienna Secession Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Cane, Beech

Rare Kilim Shahsavan
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
refer. nr. 581 - Vivid vegetables colors for this wonderful kilim Shahsavan, splendid representative of its category: always a strong personality, typical of the Shahsavan people. T...
Category

Early 20th Century Caucasian Other Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wool

Rare Kilim Shahsavan
Rare Kilim Shahsavan
W 64.97 in L 99.22 in
Rare Queen Anne Walnut Lowboy
Located in Greenwich, CT
A rare and exceptional Queen Anne walnut lowboy, the quarter veneered figured walnut top with
Category

1720s English Queen Anne Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Rare Queen Anne Walnut Lowboy
Rare Queen Anne Walnut Lowboy
H 29.5 in W 28 in D 20.5 in
Rare limonite formation
Located in London, GB
Intense yellow - orange limonite formation Origin: Benalmadena Trinidad Mine - Malaga - Spain
Category

15th Century and Earlier Spanish Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal

Rare limonite formation
Rare limonite formation
Free Shipping
H 10.63 in W 5.52 in D 4.53 in
Diminutive Stand / Table Art Deco Skyscraper Furniture Designed by Paul Frankl
By Paul Frankl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Extremely rare stand, table model 2188, designed by Paul Frankl, Skyscraper Furniture, c 1928. when
Category

1920s American Art Deco Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare Reclining Chair Louis XIV
Located in New York, NY
furniture design and a very rare find. The chair's metal mechanism allows the user to adjust the backrest to
Category

18th Century Louis XIV Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Rare Reclining Chair Louis XIV
Rare Reclining Chair Louis XIV
H 45.5 in W 27 in D 41 in
1890 Rare Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Verdure Rare Blue 4x6 117x175cm
Located in New York, NY
1890 Rare Antique French Aubusson Tapestry Verdure Rare Blue 4x6 117x175cm "This is an
Category

1890s French Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wool

Rare Modernist Cupboard
Located in LELYSTAD, FL
Rare modernist cupboard made of oak wood in The Netherlands in the 1920s. This high cabinet was
Category

1920s Dutch Art Deco Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Oak

Rare Modernist Cupboard
Rare Modernist Cupboard
H 90.56 in W 39.38 in D 22.05 in
Rare Tuareg Nomadic Boots
Located in Antwerp, BE
Tuareg nomadic people leather boots.
Category

19th Century Nigerien Folk Art Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Leather

Rare Tuareg Nomadic Boots
Rare Tuareg Nomadic Boots
H 98 in W 16 in D 9 in
Rare Thonet Settee with Cushions
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Rare ebonised sofa by Thonet, having shaped top rail with kidney shaped back, generous seat and
Category

Late 19th Century European Aesthetic Movement Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Rare Thonet Settee with Cushions
Rare Thonet Settee with Cushions
H 37 in W 46 in D 27 in
A Rare Philip Clissett Ladderback
By Phillip Clissett
Located in London, GB
Otherwise known as the Passmore armchair after the settlement they were most probably designed for at Tavistock place - this version exhibits all the attributes one would find from a...
Category

Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Rush, Ash

A Rare Philip Clissett Ladderback
A Rare Philip Clissett Ladderback
H 45.28 in W 23.82 in D 22.84 in
Antique Thonet Bentwood Puppenmobel Doll Chairs / Doll Furniture
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and great condition Thonet doll chairs. For the collectors of the rarest of Thonet pieces we
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Rare Italian Antique Chair, 1500s
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful and very rare Italian antique chair from the 1500s. In finely crafted walnut wood, red
Category

16th Century Italian Rococo Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Rare Italian Antique Chair, 1500s
Rare Italian Antique Chair, 1500s
H 48.04 in W 24.02 in D 16.93 in
Rare Sterling Silver
By Atkins Brothers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are delighted to offer you this exceptional sterling silver (tea) tray, made by Harry Atkin (Atkin Brothers) of Sheffield England, hallmarked 1903. This antique tray was manufact...
Category

Early 1900s English Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Sterling Silver

Rare Sterling Silver
Rare Sterling Silver
H 3 in W 8 in D 6 in
Rare Itsu Chandelier, 1950s
By Itsu
Located in Helsinki, FI
Rare Itsu chandelier from the 1950s. Metal with brass details, marked Itsu. Good vintage condition
Category

1850s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rare Itsu Chandelier, 1950s
Rare Itsu Chandelier, 1950s
H 28.75 in Dm 21.66 in
A Rare Wood Ear Ornament
Located in London, GB
A Rare Wood Ear Ornament With old collectors label ‘Ear Wood. Paraquay’ Wood Paraguay 19th
Category

19th Century Paraguayan Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wood

A Rare Wood Ear Ornament
A Rare Wood Ear Ornament
H 1.25 in Dm 2.25 in
Rare Chair Thonet Nr.21
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Museum piece. A very rare model that has been in production only for a few years and only very
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Belle Époque Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Rare Chair Thonet Nr.21
Rare Chair Thonet Nr.21
H 36.23 in W 16.54 in D 20.08 in
1900s Rare Antique Curved Armchair
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered in velvet fabric - Wooden legs have been refurbished - Height of seat 43 cm.   
Category

Early 1900s Czech Baroque Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

1900s Rare Antique Curved Armchair
1900s Rare Antique Curved Armchair
H 79 in W 79 in D 66 in
Antique Dollhouse Biedermeier Boule Furniture Sofa, German 1860s - 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature antique German wooden Boulle sofa with original velvet upholstery
Category

1890s German Folk Art Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Velvet, Wood

Rare Art Deco Backlight Mirror
Located in Wien, AT
Rare Art Deco backlight mirror Original condition.
Category

1920s French Art Deco Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Nickel

Rare Art Deco Backlight Mirror
Rare Art Deco Backlight Mirror
H 5.91 in Dm 9.45 in
Rare Pink Canapé 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A one of a kind rosewood solid canapé sofa with flawless luxury fabric and upholstery pink background with an intrinsically detailed monogram work. D. José Style from the second ha...
Category

19th Century Portuguese Baroque Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

Rare Pink Canapé 19th Century
Rare Pink Canapé 19th Century
H 36.23 in W 70.08 in D 26.38 in
Rare Port and Starboard Lanterns
Located in Norwell, MA
Rare port and starboard lanterns with Fresnel red and blue/green lenses. Brass cases. Electrified
Category

19th Century Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Port and Starboard Lanterns
Rare Port and Starboard Lanterns
H 6 in W 5.5 in D 6.5 in
Rare Mirrored Reflector Chandelier
Located in Peekskill, NY
We love these mirrored reflector lamps and they are also a favorite of collectors. This example has a 12 inch diameter with 24 separate hand cut mirrors and a filigree bottom edge. I...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Mirror

Rare English 18th Century Walnut Stool
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine and rare English parcel-gilt walnut stool. Early 18th century, George I period, circa 1720
Category

1720s English George I Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Rare English 18th Century Walnut Stool
Rare English 18th Century Walnut Stool
H 15.36 in W 23.23 in D 19.3 in
Rare Continental Rococo Mirror
Located in Westwood, NJ
A very fine and rare Continental carved giltwood Rococo mirror with porcelain mounts.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Rococo Rare Antique Furniture

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
An 18th-century mahogany Cockpen armchair. George III period, ca 1762. Rare and sophisticated
Category

18th Century George III Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
H 37.01 in W 26.78 in D 20.48 in
Rare Swedish Milking Stool circa 1850
Located in Farsta, SE
Rare Swedish Milking Stool circa 1850 Made out of a solid piece of pine wood. This three-legged
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Pine

Rare Swedish Milking Stool circa 1850
Rare Swedish Milking Stool circa 1850
H 12.21 in W 20.87 in D 12.6 in
Rare Scrimshaw Decorated Horn
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A rare scrimshaw decorated horn, engraved over one side with the Royal Arms countersigned and
Category

1860s English Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Horn

Rare Scrimshaw Decorated Horn
Rare Scrimshaw Decorated Horn
H 0.1 in W 43.5 in D 0.1 in
A rare Elkington shield
By Elkington & Co.
Located in London, GB
Likely depicting Hercules on a four horse drawn chariot. The boarder embellished with further classical scenes of horses and classical figures. In a wooden frame. Very good condition...
Category

Late 19th Century British Neoclassical Revival Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Bronze

A rare Elkington shield
A rare Elkington shield
H 28.75 in W 44.89 in D 1.97 in
Fine and Rare Regency Chinoiserie Occasional Table
Located in Lymington, GB
A fine and rare English chinoiserie-decorated occasional table, circa 1820. The subject matter is
Category

1820s British Chinoiserie Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare Antique Serapi Rug
Located in New York, NY
A rarity with no medallion, but only a central rosette developing two giant ragged palmette pendants, on a dark blue field and in higher “Serapi” quality. Stiff stems with leaves and...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Serapi Rug
Rare Antique Serapi Rug
W 102 in L 144 in
Rare Regency Pair of Games Tables
Located in Stamford, CT
Rare Regency pair of games tables of rosewood and burl leather games interiors over unusual scroll
Category

1820s English Regency Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Rare Regency Pair of Games Tables
Rare Regency Pair of Games Tables
H 29 in W 36 in D 17.5 in
Rare turn of the century lantern
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful and rare turn of the century lantern, I have never seen such whimsical light,
Category

Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare turn of the century lantern
Rare turn of the century lantern
H 17 in W 7.05 in D 7.05 in
Chambers, Sir William, Designs of Chinese Buildings, Furniture, Dresses Etc
Located in New York, NY
Chambers, Sir William. Designs of Chinese buildings, furniture, dresses etc. Designs of Chinese
Category

18th Century English Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Paper

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
A rare 18th-century mahogany Cockpen open armchair of very good quality. George III period, ca 1760
Category

Mid-18th Century George III Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
H 37.8 in W 23.63 in D 20.48 in
A Rare Anthropomorphic Tsonga Headrest
Located in London, GB
A Rare Anthropomorphic Tsonga Headrest An old paper label: ‘African Pillow Bt. Webster. Sep 1897
Category

19th Century Zimbabwean Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Antique Rare Pictorial Biblical Rug
Located in New York, NY
Antique Rare Pictorial Biblical Rug Size: 6'1" × 12'2" (185 × 370 cm)
Category

Late 19th Century Persian Kirman Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Wool

Rare Macbeth Daylight Counter Lamp
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a very rare table lamp. You would be surprised at the original cost for of this fixture
Category

Early 20th Century Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Copper

Rare Macbeth Daylight Counter Lamp
Rare Macbeth Daylight Counter Lamp
H 17 in W 10 in D 10 in
Rare, 1920's Italian Chairs
Located in Newport Beach, CA
A chic, exceedingly unusual pair of hand-painted, hollow, cast iron armchairs with hand-punched, swing arm, chain garlands. The back rails are surmounted by sphere finials, and forwa...
Category

1920s Italian Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Iron

Rare, 1920's Italian Chairs
Rare, 1920's Italian Chairs
H 42.75 in W 27.25 in D 20 in
Rare Floor Lamp Luminator, 1920s
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare Bauhaus floor lamp by Luminator. Beautiful simple design Chrome with age patina - polished
Category

1920s Czech Art Deco Rare Antique Furniture

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Rare Floor Lamp Luminator, 1920s
Rare Floor Lamp Luminator, 1920s
H 68.51 in Dm 11.82 in
  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Rare Antique Furniture", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Rare Antique Furniture For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the piece of rare antique furniture you’re looking for. An item from our selection of rare antique furniture — often made from wood, metal and ceramic — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a choice in our collection of rare antique furniture — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. When you’re browsing for the right object in our assortment of rare antique furniture, those designed in Victorian, Art Nouveau and Georgian styles are of considerable interest. A well-made option in this array of rare antique furniture has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Mason's Ironstone, Emile Puiforcat and Loetz Glass are consistently popular.

How Much is a Rare Antique Furniture?

The average selling price for a piece of rare antique furniture at 1stDibs is $3,993, while they’re typically $1 on the low end and $9,000,000 for the highest priced.
Questions About Rare Antique Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019

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

  • 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 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 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 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 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 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 ExpertJanuary 25, 2019

    The difference between vintage and antique furniture is that vintage furniture is at least 20 years old, while antiques must be at least 100 years old to be considered antique.