Antiques of the Future Furniture

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.

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.

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.

To tell if a vase is antique, look for a mark on the bottom of the vase either a NIPPON mark or an overmark over the original maker’s mark.

The easiest way to identify an antique vase is to check for logos, artist's name or signature at the bottom. These marks may be painted, inked or inscribed. You can also check the edges to identify an antique vase — they are generally more smooth and polished than the rest of the piece. Find an extraordinary collection of antique and vintage vases and vessels on 1stDibs.

To know if a rosary is antique, check its beads. The beads on modern rosaries are largely made of wood, glass or inexpensive plastic, and they’re likely linked by a chain or a cord. Old rosary beads were frequently strung on silk or another type of thread. 

Hundreds of years ago, some rosaries, such as those produced during the 16th century for example, were made by goldsmiths. The era of mass production for these prayer beads began to take shape during the 15th century, and this development allowed for rosaries to be made of materials such as lead, glass, bone and wood. Online resources suggest that if the rosary’s crucifix and center medal are not made of the same material, it’s likely that a component of your rosary has been replaced over the years.

In order to properly determine the age of your rosary, experts recommend working with an antiques dealer or other type of professional in the collectibles realm.

Over time, vintage and antique religious artifacts have become popular with collectors and the devout alike, and religious art has been used to express devotion across a range of media. Find rosaries today on 1stDibs.

To know if porcelain is antique, start by looking for any maker's marks and researching their origins. In many cases, it is necessary to enlist the help of a licensed appraiser to accurately date porcelain ware. You'll find a selection of expertly vetted antique porcelain 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.

To identify your antique furniture, look for an engraving, tag, label or other marking that indicates who produced it. You may find it on the bottom or back of your furniture or inside a drawer or cabinet. Once you have located the marking, you can snap a photo of it and use a reverse image search to try and identify the maker. Or, you can type a description of the mark into a search engine. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or antiques dealer to get assistance with identification. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique furniture.

To identify your antique clock, search for markings on the back of its movement or case. Once you have located these marks, use trusted online resources to determine who the maker is. From there, you can continue your research to learn more about your clock's age, style and other characteristics. An expert appraiser or antiques dealer can also assist you with identification. Find a wide range of antique clocks on 1stDibs.

To tell if pottery is antique, first look for any identifying marks. Usually, you will notice them on the bottom of the piece. If you locate one, you can use an authoritative resource to determine the maker. Then, you can research the pattern and shape to determine an approximate date. Pottery made over 100 years ago is generally considered an antique. Find a range of expertly vetted antique pottery on 1stDibs.

To tell if cloisonne is antique, check the surface for a smooth finish. Antique pieces were made with more care and precision than modern and knock-off pieces are. Additionally, an antique piece will have more weight to it than a modern example, mainly because many modern pieces are made with resin. Always purchase antique jewelry from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity. Shop a large collection of antique cloisonne from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.