Question 1

How do you identify 1800s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1800s furniture, first check to see if your piece bears any maker's marks. Should you locate any, researching them using trusted online resources can help you determine the maker and age of your furniture. To determine if unmarked pieces date back to the 19th century, look for tool marks and variations in their carvings and ornamentation. Since 19th-century furniture was handmade, you should expect to find these signs of hand craftsmanship. A piece that shows no marks or inconsistencies in details is likely a contemporary machine-made reproduction. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of Rococo, Chippendale, Gothic Revival, neoclassical and other 19th-century styles can also be helpful. If you struggle to make an identification, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a range of 19th-century furniture.

Question 2

Were there safes in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there were safes in the 1800s. Historical records indicate that by 1820, some companies used safes to protect goods from fire. Following market campaigns in the 1840s, more companies and individuals began to purchase safes as an anti-theft measure. Shop a variety of safes on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What are miniatures from the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1800s, miniatures were small portraits. People commissioned them to give as gifts to their loved ones to carry with them. In this way, miniatures were similar to modern wallet photographs. On 1stDibs, find a range of miniature portraits.

Question 4

What were safes made from in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1800s, safes were usually made of metal like tin plating or sheet iron. Fireproofing the safes proved difficult, and during the 1820s, specific mixtures of materials such as mica, potash lye and alum were used to line a safe’s interior in order to prevent its contents from succumbing to fire damage. Shop a collection of safes on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What jewelry was popular in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

During the 1800s, necklaces, earrings, brooches and hair accessories were popular jewelry pieces in styles ranging from Georgian with enamel details to Victorian with floral flourishes. The commonly used gemstones of the 19th century included diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, garnets and amethysts. Gold was the dominant metal for jewelry, but silver became sought-after during the 1880s and 1890s. Explore an assortment of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.

Question 6

Did they have pocket watches in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pocket watches peaked in popularity in the 1800s. The first pocket watch was created in Germany in 1510, but was originally too large for a pocket. In the 1600s, the design began to get more compact, but for a long time pocket watches were a rarity and a symbol of wealth. Shop an array of antique pocket watches on 1stDibs.

Question 7

What were nightstands called in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1800s, nightstands were often called commodes. Prior to the advent of indoor plumbing, early nightstands contained a porcelain chamber pot in a cabinet that provided a convenient and private alternative to visiting the outhouse. Today, antique, new and vintage nightstands, which are pieces of bedroom furniture that are often called bedside tables, are typically low-profile tables that are positioned alongside one’s bed or elsewhere in a bedroom. Shop a selection of nightstands on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is 1800s art called?

Accepted Answer

What 1800s art is called depends on its age and style, as the century saw multiple movements. Most art historians refer to art that broke from traditional norms, produced in the 1860s and later, as modern art, and everything that preceded it as pre-modern art. Some of the art styles that were popular during the 19th century include Impressionism, Realism, Romanticism, Neoclassicism, Expressionism and Fauvism. Shop a wide range of 19th-century art on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What did wedding rings look like in the 1800s?

Accepted Answer

What wedding rings looked like in the 1800s was similar to other Victorian jewelry. The Victorian era spanned from 1837 to 1901, coinciding with the reign of Queen Victoria in the United Kingdom. At the beginning of this period, rings were made of gold and affordable only to the wealthy. Designs for Victorian-era rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal. Some featured stones secured by collets, settings similar to bezels, with prongs and a closed back. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Victorian wedding rings.

Question 10

How do you identify 1930s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.

Question 11

What is 1920s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1920s furniture is called depends on its style. However, the most prominent design style of the decade was Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture often featured bold geometric lines, floral forms, shimmering mirrored finishes, sleek metal accents, and the use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Art Deco furniture.

Question 12

What is 1950s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

1950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.

Question 13

What is ’70s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What ’70s furniture is called depends on its style. Generally, pieces from this decade can be called vintage furniture. However, pieces with certain stylistic characteristics have other names. For example, some 1970s furniture is mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, was developed in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of 1970s furniture.

Question 14

What do you call furniture from the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Furniture from the 1960s is often called mid-century modern. This style emphasizes the importance of good design that looks attractive and performs its function well. Notable mid-century modern designers include Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 15

What is 1970s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1970s furniture is called varies. Generally, you may see pieces produced during the decade classified as "vintage" or "retro" furniture. During the 1970s, some makers continued to produce furniture that boasted the characteristics of mid-century modern works. The disco era yielded furnishings with organic, often rounded shapes, unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and a mix of materials. The showy leather furniture of the 1970s, which was both sexy and comfortable, is seeing a resurgence in today’s homes. Shop a wide variety of vintage 1970s furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 16

What is 1960s-style furniture called?

Accepted Answer

Generally, 1960s-style furniture is called mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Some of the most notable furniture designers of the time include Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Hans J. Wegner. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 17

What is the 1950s furniture style called?

Accepted Answer

The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 18

Why would the artist George Catlin’s paintings from the 1800s be considered a form of artistic documentation?

Accepted Answer

The artist George Catlin's paintings from the 1800s are considered a form of artistic documentation because he depicted what he saw during his travels across North America. Catlin produced many images of Native Americans living their daily lives. In so doing, he provided a glimpse of what life was like for Indigenous people before the rapid westward expansion of settlers forcibly disrupted their traditions and culture. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of George Catlin art.

Spanish 1800s Furniture

Antique 19th Century Spanish Renaissance Revival Bookcases

1800's Antique Spanish, Renaissance Revival, Figural, Carved, Masks, Bookcase!!

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Baroque Farm Tables

Antique Spanish Oak Work Table, 1800s

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Baroque Farm Tables

Antique Spanish Oak Work Table, 1800s

Antique 19th Century Spanish Other Bedroom Sets

1800s, 19th C. Antique Polychrome Marbelized Spanish Bedroom Set, Set of 4!

Antique 19th Century Spanish Other Console Tables

1800s Antique Spanish Mirror, 2 Chairs, Marble-Top Gilt Console Table, Set of 4!

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Romantic Antiquities

A Pair of 19th Century Antique Wabi Sabi Pots, Spain c. late 1800s

Antique 19th Century Spanish Colonial Dining Room Chairs

Antique Spanish Colonial Dining Chairs Rope Seats 1800s Set of 6

Antique Early 19th Century Mexican Spanish Colonial Mounted Objects

Hardwood Wagon Wheel from Mexico, circa Early 1800's

Antique 19th Century Mexican Folk Art Paintings

Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting Catholic Saint 1800s

Antique Mid-19th Century Spanish Baroque Side Tables

Italian 1800s Neoclassical Walnut Side Table with Marble Top and Carved Decor

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Baroque Trunks and Luggage

Antique Carved Walnut Large Kutxa Trunk from the Basque Country, Early 1800s

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Farm Tables

Antique Rustic Spanish Table, 1800s Table Island in Solid Wood

Antique 19th Century Spanish Architectural Elements

Walnut Wood Overdoor-Spain Late 1800's

Antique 19th Century Spanish Dining Room Tables

Beautiful Antique Spanish (Catalan) Table-Early 1800's

Antique 19th Century End Tables

Inlaid Spanish Colonial Table C. 1800's

Antique 19th Century Spanish Other Bookcases

1800's Antique Spanish, Library, Highly Carved & Painted, Walnut Bookcase!!

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Spanish Dining Room Chairs

Set of (10) Spanish Painted Dining Chairs C. 1800's

Antique 19th Century Spanish Rustic Console Tables

Dark Oak Console Table with Two Drawers, Spain 1800's

Antique 19th Century Spanish Primitive Stools

Primitive Wooden Wabi Sabi Stool, Spain, 1800s

Antique Early 1800s Spanish Country Cabinets

1800s Spanish Wooden Cabinet

Antique 19th Century Spanish Side Tables

Mid 1800s Spanish Baroque Style Walnut Wood Table

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Gothic Blanket Chests

Early 1800s Gothic Style Oak Trunk from Spain

Antique 19th Century Spanish Side Tables

Late 1800s Spanish Walnut One Drawer Side Table

Antique 19th Century Spanish Side Tables

Late 1800s Spanish Oak One Drawer Side Table

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Romantic Antiquities

19th Century Antique Wabi Sabi Pot, 19.69 in, Spain c. late 1800s

Antique 19th Century Spanish Dry Bars

Magnificent Walnut Wood and Pine Spanish Cafe Bar from the Late 1800s

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Romantic Antiquities

19th Century Antique Wabi Sabi Pot, 23.62 in, Spain c. late 1800s

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Dining Room Tables

9-Foot Long Antique Oak and Wrought Iron Table from Spain, Early 1800s

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Dining Room Tables

Early 1800s Single Oak Plank Farm Table from Spain

Antique Early 1800s Spanish Rustic Cabinets

Rustic Dark Wood Pantry Cabinet, Spain, 1800s

Antique 19th Century Spanish Side Tables

Antique Walnut Table from Spain with Iron Stretchers and Carved Feet, Late 1800s

Antique Late 18th Century English Prints

Set of 4 1800's Engravings of the Corrida Spanish Bull Fight

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Rustic Tables

Antique and Rustic Early 1800s Wooden Spanish Countryside Pay Table with Drawer

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Console Tables

Spanish 1800s Wooden Console Table with Two Drawers and Carved Geometric Motifs

Antique Early 19th Century Spanish Console Tables

Spanish 1800s Refectoire Table with Two Carved Drawers and A-Frame Trestle Base

Antique Early 19th Century European Rustic Tables

Antique and Rustic Early 1800s Wooden Spanish Countryside Pay Table with Drawer

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Side Tables

Italian 1800s Walnut Side Table with Carved Apron and Cabriole Legs

Antique 19th Century Chairs

1800's Rustic Spanish Chair

Antique 19th Century Spanish Colonial Trunks and Luggage

Early 1800s Spanish Coffer

Antique Early 19th Century Baroque Revival Console Tables