The Federalist Antiques

Suzani is a form of embroidered tapestry, generally made on velvet, silk or cotton cloth. Suzanis have held a long tradition as being integral to interior decoration in central Asia. They were also thought to be talismans and would bring good luck to one’s home. Shop a collection of suzani tapestries from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

A chatelaine is a set of decorative chains attached to a clasp or belt loop, which was used to carry keys and necessities. In ancient Rome, women carried tweezers, nail cleaners and ear scoops on their chatelaines. On 1stDibs, find antique chatelaines from some of the top sellers around the world.

Important in the 18th and 19th centuries, an antique cellarette was a piece of furniture in which wine was stored. The cellarette, also known as a wine cooler, is recognizable by its small rectangular size and simple design. Shop a collection of antique cellarettes from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

An antique bureau is any bureau that is 100 years old or older. The term bureau today is typically used as another word for a dresser or a chest of drawers. This word has also been used to refer to a writing desk. Find a collection of antique bureaus on 1stDibs today.

Antique majolica is a type of Victorian earthenware characterized by beautifully-colored lead glazes. It first appeared in the 1850s and is highly sought after today. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique majolica from some of the world’s top sellers.

What antique silver is depends on the context. In many cases, the term refers to silverware and silver decorative objects produced more than 100 years ago. However, antique silver may also be the name of a distressed silver finish frequently used on lighting fixtures and bathroom fixtures. Explore a selection of antique silver wares on 1stDibs.

Ironstone is a kind of vitreous pottery that was made in the United Kingdom around the early 19th century. The ironstone made by the masons are considered to be collectibles. Most antique ironstone items should have a hallmark. Shop a range of antique and vintage ironstone items on 1stDibs.

To identify an antique dresser, examine it for markings that indicate who produced it. Makers typically add brands, carvings, paper labels or metal tags to inconspicuous areas, such as the inside of a drawer or the back of a dresser. If you can locate a marking, you can use trusted online resources to figure out who made it and learn more about your dresser. Unfortunately, some antique pieces may be unmarked or have lost their tags or labels over the years. With these pieces, you can turn to a certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer for assistance with the identification process. Find a wide variety of antique dressers on 1stDibs.

Yes, antique brass is strong because it is made with zinc and copper. Brass is considered a strong and durable metal crafted to be long-lasting and withstand rust and corrosion. Shop a selection of antique and vintage brass items on 1stDibs.

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.

Antique rings were made of a variety of materials. You can find pieces produced out of many of the same precious metals used today, such as yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver and platinum. In addition, some antique rings feature a material called pinchbeck, which is a combination of copper and zinc. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of antique rings.

Opinions on how old a rug has to be to be considered antique vary. However, most experts will apply the label to any rug produced more than 100 years ago, and call floor coverings produced 50 to 100 years ago vintage. Shop a variety of antique rugs on 1stDibs.

There are a few clues to check if your cloisonné piece is antique. Earlier forms of cloisonné were simple in design, and used a basic color palette, blue being the most prominent. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic antique cloisonné pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.

One way to tell if your bronze is antique is to study its color. As it ages, bronze develops a natural patina, darkening in color. As a result, shiny, light-colored pieces are unlikely to be antiques. Another approach is to research the maker using trusted online resources to find out when they produced bronzes similar to yours. For assistance with the dating process, seek the help of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Explore a selection of bronze sculptures on 1stDibs.

You can identify an antique table in a number of ways. The first clue that a table is antique is the joinery. If a piece of furniture is dovetailed by hand, it only has a couple of dovetails, which are uneven. Also, antique tables are not defined by perfect symmetry. Lastly, antique tables were typically made of oak, mahogany, and walnut.

In addition to the joinery you can check the bottoms of the drawers and the backs of the cabinets. If they were made prior to 1850 then the wood will most likely be dimensioned by hand. It will be uneven to the touch. The secondary wood that receives the veneer will have been scraped smooth but drawer bottoms, backs and bottoms are often left less finished.