How to Identify Walnut in Antique Furniture
Walnut often has flowing figure, fine-to-medium pores and warm heartwood, but colour ranges widely and can be stained. Look for figured veneers, sapwood co
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Identification Guides
58 published guides on repair, care and the stories behind well-made things.
How to Examine Painted Antique Furniture
Paint can be original decoration, a historic alteration or a recent finish. Each possibility affects interpretation differently. Inspect protected edges, j
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How to Identify Mahogany in Antique Furniture
Mahogany is a trade name covering several related and look-alike timbers used across centuries. Seek interlocked grain, ribbon stripe on quartered surfaces
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How to Approach International Silver Marks
Silver marking systems differ between countries, cities and periods; some use assay symbols, fineness numbers, maker marks and date letters. Record every p
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How to Identify Pine and Deal in Antique Furniture
Pine and deal were used for visible country furniture and as secondary woods behind expensive veneers. Notice growth-ring contrast, resin canals, knots and
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Casters on Antique Furniture Explained
Casters range from small brass wheels to ceramic and later industrial fittings, supporting movement and altering height. Look at wheel material, fork, plat
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How to Identify Rosewood and Similar Dark Timbers
Rosewoods are dense, often strongly figured timbers from several Dalbergia species, widely used as veneer and solid decorative components. Look for dark st
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How to Read Ceramic Factory Marks Carefully
Factory marks can identify a maker, range or registration, but many changed over time and were copied or revived. Record the exact mark, colour, printing m
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How to Examine Upholstery Tacks and Tack Holes
Tacks and their holes can preserve a sequence of upholstery campaigns around chair and sofa rails. Map hole lines before removing anything. Earlier spacing
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Old Nails, Screws and Pins as Dating Evidence
Fasteners record manufacturing methods and repairs, but most furniture contains hardware from more than one date. Examine shape, thread, slot, shank and th
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How to Detect Old Repairs in Porcelain
Porcelain repairs range from metal staples and rivets to fills, overpainting and modern resin joins. Use strong diffuse and raking light to check edges, co
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How to Identify Oak in Antique Furniture
Oak commonly shows prominent pores and, on quarter-sawn surfaces, pale medullary rays that cross the grain. Compare end grain, long grain and protected are
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