How To Know If Your Antique Chair Is Authentic?

The world is filled with enthusiasts, and there is a huge market for antiquities. People buy older furniture because of 3 major factors- the item poses inherent value because of who it belonged to, the furniture is either one of a kind, or has been made by a renowned artist.

There’s a lot of antiques, and unfortunately, a lot of knock-offs too. So, how do you know if the antique chair that you have is antique? Here’s a list of some markers that you can look out for as well as some of the more famous antique chair designs.

• One feature of old furniture is whether the material is locally sourced or if it has been taken, imported, or exported from other places. You must also match these details with family ‘legends’. Like- if your great-great-grandfather made or had a particular antique chair, was it made using the local wood? Can the wood be dated to match the general time and era of your ancestor?

• What are the materials used to make the antique chair? Does it use cotton filling, sponge, or foam? What about Upholstery? What is the condition of the fabric? If the fabric is torn and dirty, it may be so because it has accumulated dust and dirt over time.

• The style and the design of the antique chair are also imperative. It helps place them in an approximate period as style influences and trends would have an impact on the visual elements of the chair. Like the Windsor style, chair design can be placed within a particular period (1725 - 1860) because of period and era-based furniture design influences.

• Not just the visual elements and the style, the way a chair is built can also be indicative of the era and time it was built in.

• One of the greatest indicators of antique chairs is whether the chair is tagged or marked. Often celebrated artisans would mark the antique chair in some way or the other.

• If you are unsure whether your antique chair is an original or a reproduction, study the construction of the chair. If the joints fit together like pieces of a puzzle, they may have been made using modern machinery or may have been restored. If a centuries-old antique chair design happens to have Phillips screws, stay far away- Phillips screws were invented in the 1930s!

• But what are the different style identifications of antique chairs? Listed below are some of the famous and influential styles from all over the world.

• The Fauteuil dates back to the reigns of Louis XIV (14) and Louis XV (15) in France. These styles usually featured an upholstered style with open sides and heavily carved back, arms and legs. The more ornate, the better.

• Inspired from the furniture found in Egyptians, Greeks, and the like- the Chaise Lounge became popular in 16th century France and was used as a long chair for the lounge.

• Made to look like multiplication signs (or an X), the Curule Chair is derived from ancient Roman antique wooden chair designs of the 6th century BC. It served as a seat for high-ranking officials and dignitaries and has had a lot of influence on modern furniture.

• The Wingback style, as it has evolved today is a shadow of the antique upholstered chair style developed in late 17th century England. These chairs can be differentiated by the classic roll of the arm and the closed structure. These chairs were made to be comfortable and protect the user from the bone-chilling cold of England.

It is very easy to take a modern reproduction of a classic design to be an antique wooden chair design. To ensure that you are buying the right antique chair for sale, ensure that the materials, the style, and the markings as well as the seller tell you the same tale. If The seller sells the antique chair to you saying that it’s an original from the 1500s but the design and other details tell you that the chair may either be a reproduction or a restored model- because this definitely can happen- beware! You have been warned.

However, if you want to buy a chair that looks antique but is not as valuable or as expensive- perhaps modern reproductions inspired buy antique chair designs are it for you. You can now buy reproductions of Antique chairs online at affordable prices.

The author of this article has a knack for reading, writing, and creativity. He is always exploring ways to express his inner passion for furniture and decor. For more information, log on to https://www.woodenstreet.com/