Dating old nails
24-Jun-2020 03:00
Screws that appear handmade and quite individual most likely help date the piece from the early 1700's to the mid to late 1800's.
Manufacturers have been stamping their wares for centuries.
Some popular antiques are quite well documented and may be tied to a specific time period in history making an age determination quite simple. Adding to the complexity is the proliferation of copycat builders and modern furniture craftsmen who do an admirable job of cloning authentic antique furniture right down to the tool marks and date stamps.
Feet and chair spindles were also carved individually, so there is no way each one could possibly look identical.But, it is important to determine which type of wood is most prevalent in your antique to help determine the age.Oak is highly popular in furniture that dates from 1700 to earlier years.Don't leave it up to an educated guess consult a guide that is designed to help you determine the age of your piece.
Oak, mahogany, cherry, and walnut are all popular hardwoods that have been used in antique furniture.
When you're trying to determine the age of an antique, take a look at these parts and look for tool marks, slight variances in size and shape, and elongation of round parts (round wood contracts across the grain, resulting in an oval shape after time).