Buying
antiques is a wonderful pastime, from the thrill of the hunt to the
pride you feel seeing the piece in your home. But when you're buying
antiques, how do you know if the piece is any good, or if it's worth
the asking price?
First
of all, determine if it’s a true antique—that is, a piece that’s at
least 100 years old (anything else is “vintage” or a “collectible”).
Then, if you love the item and the pleasure you would derive from it
is proportional to the cost, you should get it.
However, if the piece is expensive and you are concerned about
whether it’s worth the asking price, there are certain tests you can
conduct when buying antiques to help determine a piece's quality.
Get
a Good Look
Move the
piece away from walls and other items so you can get a good look at
all sides, including the bottom. Study the piece under bright light
or ask to take it outside if the weather is not inclement. If the
dealer is offended, “walk the other way.”
Is
It Solid?
Test the
solidity of the piece. Sit on a chair, then push your weight forward
and back; if the chair wobbles and moves with you, it’s loose and
needs to be reglued. Check for wobbling on a table or bureau by
placing your hand on a corner and shaking the piece.
Does It Look Old?
Examine
the finish for natural signs of wear. Authentic pieces will have
dirt in crevices or in places that are hard to clean, and wear
around knobs and on drawers caused by friction. The absence of such
wear may indicate that the piece is not old, or that it has been
refinished. The latter is not necessarily bad if it’s been done
well, but it will lower the piece’s value in most instances. Look
inside and underneath the piece for dribbles of stain that indicate
a sloppy refinishing job.
Check the Finish
The
exterior of the piece should be a uniform color, except for
variations that would naturally occur through exposure to the
elements and use. Surface blemishes and scars are acceptable, but
burn marks can’t be taken out or painted over without cutting out
that section of wood, so avoid buying antiques with a burn unless
you can live with it. A piece of furniture costing more than $300
shouldn’t have any visible nails; their presence may be signs of a
sloppy repair job.
Is
Anything Missing?
If the
furniture has a veneer, look for broken or missing pieces, or
sections that are a different color—evidence the veneer has been
poorly patched. If there’s a decorative inlay or applied carving,
make sure no pieces are missing.
