Buying an Antique Wardrobe

Determine whether the wardrobe was built for hanging clothes or converted from shelves, a press or another cabinet. Compare sections, backboards, locks and interior finish. Check door twist, base level, cornice attachment, mirror security and signs of damp. Measure depth for modern hangers and every route dimension. Large wardrobes often dismantle, but only in a specific recorded order.

Construction and identity

Inspect backs, undersides and interiors. Materials, hardware, surface, secondary woods and provenance should form a coherent account; one stylistic detail does not prove date.

Condition

Test doors, drawers and mechanisms slowly with permission. Check joints, feet, tops, missing parts and earlier repairs. Distinguish attractive wear from faults that affect stability or function.

Ask the seller

Request written details of restoration, replacements, keys, labels and provenance. For remote purchases, obtain clear images of hidden areas, interiors and every configuration.

Plan ownership

Measure the object, route and room. Consider dismantling, weight, wall restraint, light, humidity and the cost of specialist upholstery or glazing.

Decide on evidence

For high-value furniture, obtain independent advice. Quality, integrity, usefulness and honest documentation matter more than an unsupported age or regional label.