Question 1

What color is ebony furniture?

Accepted Answer

The color of ebony furniture is extremely black with brown and olive undertones. Its name is derived from the dark heartwood of the ebony tree, grown in India and Sri Lanka. Ebony wood is considered ornamental since it has a fine texture and has a mirror finish when polished. Shop a collection of ebony furniture from top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 2

How do I know if my furniture is antique?

Accepted Answer

To know if your furniture is antique, look for labels and markings that indicate the maker. From there, you can use trusted online resources to determine when they were active and examine images to try to estimate the age of your piece. Furniture produced 100 years ago or more is antique. You can also have your furniture assessed by an appraiser or antiques dealer to learn about its age. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique furniture.

Question 3

What antique furniture is popular?

Accepted Answer

Many antique furniture brands are popular. While trends in collecting do vary over time, some makers consistently remain highly sought after. Among them are J. & J.W. Meeks, John Henry Belter, R. J. Horner and Co., Stickley Furniture, George Hepplewhite, Josef Dannhauser, Thomas Chippendale and Thomas Sheridan. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of antique furniture.

Question 4

How do I identify my antique furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify your antique furniture, look for an engraving, tag, label or other marking that indicates who produced it. You may find it on the bottom or back of your furniture or inside a drawer or cabinet. Once you have located the marking, you can snap a photo of it and use a reverse image search to try and identify the maker. Or, you can type a description of the mark into a search engine. Alternatively, you can use the services of a certified appraiser or antiques dealer to get assistance with identification. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique furniture.

Question 5

What makes furniture an antique?

Accepted Answer

A piece of furniture is considered an antique if it is at least 100 years old.

Question 6

Is antique furniture in style?

Accepted Answer

Yes, antique furniture is in style. Many people appreciate the beauty and handcrafted character of antique furniture and love the idea of owning pieces with a rich history. Remember that style preferences are nothing if not fluid, meaning what's in one year may not be the next. So, in choosing the furniture you're planning to live with, you should pay less attention to interior design fads than to what speaks to you. That way, you can select pieces that will add long-term character to your home. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of antique furniture.

Question 7

How can I tell who made my antique furniture?

Accepted Answer

To tell who made your antique furniture, seek out a maker's marking. Locations of these marks vary, but they are generally in an inconspicuous location. For example, a dresser may have the mark inside a drawer or on the back, while a hallmark on a table is often on a leg or under the tabletop. Once you locate a mark, you can use trusted online resources to identify the maker and learn more about them. If you can't find a marking on your piece, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can assist you with the identification process. Explore a large selection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 8

How can you tell antique furniture from reproduction?

Accepted Answer

To tell antique furniture from reproduction, first check for a maker's mark. By researching the maker associated with the marking using trusted online resources, you can determine when they were active. If the company was in business 100 years ago or more, your piece may be an antique, but if the company's history began more recently, your piece is likely a reproduction. If you can't locate a marking, study the details of the furniture up close. Genuine antiques will often show tool marks and slight variations in carved details because they were typically handcrafted. Most contemporary furniture is machine-made, so you won't usually see these types of characteristics. When in doubt, have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your furniture. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique furniture.

Question 9

What is the best finish for antique furniture?

Accepted Answer

The best finish for antique furniture is a matter of liking. But film finish is recommended by experts as it leaves a thick coat of film on the wood surface which protects wood from water and scratches. Shellac or varnish and water base are commonly used film finishes. Find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage furniture on 1stDibs

Question 10

How can I tell if my Chinese furniture is antique?

Accepted Answer

To determine the age of a Chinese furniture piece, look carefully at the joinery and finish. Natural expansion and contraction of the wood over time will cause a joint to protrude or retract, distorting a once-seamless fit. Antique lacquer finishes become crackled and worn over time. Areas of exposed wood, such as the underside of a table, the footrest of a chair, or the back of a cabinet should appear raw and dry compared to the finished surface. With use, the legs of tables and chairs become weathered near the bottom from precipitation and use.

Question 11

How can I tell how old my antique furniture is?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old your antique furniture is, research the maker using trusted online resources. You may find that the furniture maker was active for only a short period, giving you the ability to roughly estimate its age. For manufacturers and designers with a long history of production, consider the style of your furniture and look for images of similar pieces published online. Because it may be difficult to date furniture on your own, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of antique furniture.

Question 12

How can I tell what my antique furniture is worth?

Accepted Answer

To tell what your antique furniture is worth, look at sales histories on trusted online platforms and read valuation guides posted on trusted online resources. The maker, type, style, age and condition of your furniture will impact its value. Researching furniture produced by the same maker is a good starting point. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can also aid you in the valuation process. Find a large collection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 13

How do you identify antique Chinese furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify antique Chinese furniture, look carefully at its details. Chinese craftsmen often built furniture using mortise and tenon joinery, eliminating the need for nails and screws. If you see this type of hardware, your piece is likely not at least 100 years old, especially if the hardware still looks new and shiny. Since antique furniture was handmade, you will normally see slight imperfections, such as tool marks or slight variations in carvings. Pieces that appear completely uniform and pristine are less often genuine antiques.

When present, maker's marks can also be helpful. Research the marks to learn more about when the maker was active and producing pieces like yours. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer evaluate your furniture for you.

Shop an assortment of antique Chinese furniture.

Question 14

How old is furniture called antique?

Accepted Answer

How old furniture that is called antique can be is typically at least 100 years. People usually call furniture between 20 and 99 years old vintage. Contemporary is the word for furniture manufactured within the last 20 years. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers.

Question 15

How do I know if my antique furniture is valuable?

Accepted Answer

There are a number of factors that can indicate if your antique furniture is valuable. When determining the value of antique furniture, consider its rarity. Additionally, it is important to determine the quality and condition of vintage furniture. If unsure of the value of your vintage furniture, have it appraised.

Question 16

Is antique furniture worth anything?

Accepted Answer

Antique furniture can be worth quite a lot, particularly if it is in good quality. The rarer the piece, the higher the value.

Question 17

Is antique furniture making a comeback?

Accepted Answer

Whether antique furniture is making a comeback is a matter of opinion. Many people would argue that antique furniture never faded from fashion, as there have always been individuals who love the idea of owning pieces that have history. Some of the most popular styles for antique furniture include Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Renaissance Revival, Elizabethan, Gothic Revival, Victorian and Chippendale. Find a large collection of antique furniture from some of the world's top dealers on 1stDibs.

Question 18

How do I date antique furniture from the UK?

Accepted Answer

To date antique furniture from the UK, first look for identifying markings on the piece. You can then use trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active. From there, you may be able to estimate the year of production by looking at images of other furniture the maker produced. An expert appraiser or antiques dealer can also aid you in the dating process. Find a large selection of antique furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 19

How old must furniture be to be considered antique?

Accepted Answer

To be considered antique, furniture must usually be at least 100 years old. Contemporary is the name for furniture produced within the last 20 years. Vintage furniture is at least 20 years old. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers.

Question 20

What’s the difference between vintage and antique furniture?

Accepted Answer

The difference between vintage and antique furniture is that vintage furniture is at least 20 years old, while antiques must be at least 100 years old to be considered antique.

Antique Ebony Furniture

Late 17th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Ebony Furniture

An extremely rare, possibly unique, Sri Lankan ebony child's armchair

Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Ebony Furniture

A Sri Lankan ebony and cane ‘Easy chair’ or 'planter's chair'

Late 17th Century Indian Dutch Colonial Antique Ebony Furniture

Dutch Colonial 17th Century Ebony Armchair, India/Indonesia/Sri Lanka

Late 17th Century Indian Dutch Colonial Antique Ebony Furniture

A Dutch Colonial 17th century Red Ebony Center table with marble top

Early 18th Century Indian British Colonial Antique Ebony Furniture

Large British Colonial 19th Century Ebony Sri Lankan Ceylonese Wall Bracket

19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Ebony Furniture

Ceylonese 19th Century Carved Ebony Side Chair with Specimen Inlay Galle Distric

19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Ebony Furniture

Pair of Ceylonese 19th Century Carved Ebony Side Chairs with Specimen Inlay Gall

Late 17th Century Indian Dutch Colonial Antique Ebony Furniture

17th Cent. Dutch Colonial Ebony Chair Formerly Owned by the Duke of Westminster

19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Antique Ebony Furniture

Ceylonese 19th Century Ebony and Specimen Wood Centre Table Galle District

1680s English Baroque Antique Ebony Furniture

Set, Pair, Armchairs, Armchair, Stool, Ebonised, Baroque, Baroque-Revival

1810s English Regency Antique Ebony Furniture

Regency Amboyna and Ebony Table

Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Antique Ebony Furniture

Inlaid Ebony Table Cabinet

Early 19th Century Unknown Napoleon III Antique Ebony Furniture

Victorian Ebony Credenza

Mid-19th Century Antique Ebony Furniture

French Ebony Wood Mirror

1830s Indian Antique Ebony Furniture

Pair of Ebony Pedestals

Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Ebony Furniture

English Victorian Ebony Owl

19th Century Antique Ebony Furniture

French Ebony and Ebonised Cabinet

Mid-19th Century Belgian Antique Ebony Furniture

Ebony and Faux Tortoise Mirror

Early 18th Century Indian Baroque Antique Ebony Furniture

Fine Indo-Portuguese Ebony Corpus

1790s Indonesian Dutch Colonial Antique Ebony Furniture

Colonial box in ebony wood

Early 1900s Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Ebony Furniture

Edwardian Turned Ebony Candlesticks

1810s Antique Ebony Furniture

Pair of Anglo-Indian Solid Ebony Footstools

Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Ebony Furniture

French Victorian Ebony Inlaid Center Table

1920s Italian Art Deco Antique Ebony Furniture

1920s Nightstand in Ebony Macassar and Ebonized Ebony, by Brugnoli Mobili Cantù

Early 20th Century Antique Ebony Furniture

Ebony Seated Deer and Fawn

19th Century Indian Antique Ebony Furniture

Indian Ebony Miniature Cabinet, 19th Century

1830s Indian Antique Ebony Furniture

Small Anglo-Indian Side Table In Solid Ebony

Early 19th Century Indian British Colonial Antique Ebony Furniture

English Colonial Ebony Wood Games Table

17th Century Italian Antique Ebony Furniture

Italian 17th Century Ebony Florentine Mirror

17th Century Italian Antique Ebony Furniture

Italian 17th Century Ebony Florentine Mirror

Early 19th Century Asian Antique Ebony Furniture

A Ceylonese Ebony & Specimen Wood Occasional Table

19th Century English Egyptian Antique Ebony Furniture

19th Century Egyptian Revival Macassar Ebony Chairs

19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Ebony Furniture

Anglo-Indian Solid Ebony Jardiniere

1810s English Antique Ebony Furniture

Regency Brass-Inlaid Ebony Desk Compendium

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Ebony Furniture

Regency Giltwood, Satinwood and Ebony Center Table

1710s Sri Lankan William and Mary Antique Ebony Furniture

British Colonial Ebony Bureau Bookcase

Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Antique Ebony Furniture

Ebony Carved Grandfather Shell Mark Chair

Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Ebony Furniture

Antique French Ebony Dressing Table Mirror

Late 18th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Antique Ebony Furniture

Spanish Ancient Ebony Chair with Cordova Leather

Mid-19th Century Sri Lankan Regency Antique Ebony Furniture