Antique furniture identification: labels, construction and photographs
Start antique furniture identification with the whole piece, its dimensions and any accessible labels. Photograph details in place and separate a visible observation from a proposed age or maker.
What should I photograph on an old piece of furniture?
Take a front view, a side view and accessible views of the back, hardware and labels. Keep measurements in the same record. Do not dismantle a joint or move a heavy piece alone just to photograph an underside.
Can construction details tell me how old furniture is?
Use construction photographs to frame questions for reference research, not to assign a date automatically. Record which parts you actually inspected. A photograph of one fitting cannot establish when every part of a piece was made.
How do I compare furniture for value research?
Start with pieces of similar function, dimensions and documented maker or attribution. Note replacement hardware, repairs and differences in condition. Keep transport costs separate from an object's sale price so the comparison is understandable.
What should my worksheet include?
| Record | Include | Purpose or question |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Front and side | Function and proportions |
| Details | Labels and hardware | Possible research terms |
| Measurements | Height, width and depth | Comparison with listed dimensions |