Purchasing secondhand furniture of recent vintage—roughly 60 years old—is not the same as investing in excellent antiques. Because of their distinctive design and exceptional workmanship, several brands and producers have loyal fans. Purchasing old furniture from one of these manufacturers is an investment that may improve in value over time. These durable items will last for many years in your house. You may keep them, repair them if necessary, and market them.
You must be on top of your game at all times and keep an eye out for scammers. One disadvantage is that clever con artists know how to pass off close looks as the actual thing. Flea markets are infamous for selling knockoffs for a fraction of the price of the genuine thing. Let’s take a deeper look at the key indicators that distinguish an original from a knock-off. We’ll go through six famous designers, as well as strategies for detecting originals and key things to think about before you purchase.
Before Purchasing Used Furniture From Top Manufacturers
A genuine used or vintage piece of furniture from one of the top furniture manufacturers may be a wise investment and a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It is a remarkable discovery to come across a piece of furniture that is no longer made. However, since many pieces of furniture are reproduced, you must attentively examine the piece of furniture. Be careful of market pricing, and if anything seems to be too good to be true, it almost always is.
When dealing with an auction house or dealer, their language might be confusing at times. When a piece of furniture is labelled “in the style of” or “attributed to,” it is a replica.
Ask to view the documentation trail for previously authenticated artefacts at auction houses and antique retailers. Inquire about the piece’s history, including how long they’ve had it, where it originated from, how much it’s worth, a list of flaws or damage, and if it’s been renovated.
Next, check for tell-tale signals that the item is genuine. Examine the dovetailing and joinery; older pieces will be asymmetrical, but contemporary machine-made pieces will be symmetrical. Also, check for signs of wear and tear; it should seem natural, not intentionally aged. Examine the insides of drawers, as well as the backs and bottoms of furniture, for manufacturer’s stamps, tags indicating where the item was created, or markings indicating that labels were removed.
If you’re dubious about the authenticity of a piece of furniture and want to make a large investment, it’s a good idea to acquire a vintage furniture evaluation.
Buying Tips for Used Furniture from Top Manufacturers
If the furniture you wish to purchase for your house does not suit your space, the age of the item should not matter. Know the dimensions of your space as well as the estimated sizes for your furniture demands. Because some pieces of furniture are so precious, you will not be able to disassemble them to get them within the door, therefore measure all of your doors to ensure they will fit inside the designated area. Aside from ensuring sure it fits, make sure it suits the aesthetic of your space. Even an original Stickley might stand out like a sore thumb in a room that isn’t designed in its style.
Material
It’s uncommon that old furniture is manufactured entirely of the same sort of wood. Using precious wood on the bottom or back of furniture didn’t make sense. So, seek for several wood varieties. If it’s all the same wood, it’s most likely a replica.