Identifying Antiques
Some people may have an antique item in their home or may have purchased one recently and will never know that it's an actual antique. Some reproductions are made so well you can't tell the difference. Luckily, there are ways to identify antiques, and the following steps will help you do just that.
Instructions
1. Look for a signature. The maker's signature is often somewhere on an antique piece. The signature can be rather small, depending on the item's size. Consider using a magnifying glass, depending on your vision. An item's signature will help you determine the item's history.
2. Look for any tool marks on the piece. For example, modern saws leave different marks than those of an older period. This only works for pieces that required tools for construction, of course.
3. Look for signs of wear. Antiques can often be identified rather easily because they show signs of wear. For instance, an antique chair will have more wear on the arms where our hands rest as compared to the underside of the arm. However, if you find repetitive signs of the same exact wear throughout, the piece may be a "distressed" replica.
4. Look at the item's construction. You will not find any Phillip screws, fiberboard or even staples on antiques. If you do, it's a replicated piece. Antique pieces with large surfaces, such as armoires or tables, will have wide boards of uneven widths.
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