Are you drawn to the allure of vintage furniture? The stories they hold, the craftsmanship that whispers of another era—there's something truly captivating about these pieces. Furniture is one of the living illustrations of the significant growth and learning, this planet, our civilization, and cultures, have experienced. Isn’t it just so cool that many of us live with and interact with these artifacts daily?! I sure think so!
So let’s get to the good stuff. How can you separate the gems from the impostors? Let's embark on a journey to uncover the secrets of authenticity and value in vintage furniture.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Before diving headfirst into the world of vintage furniture, arm yourself with knowledge. It’s important to be familiar with different styles, materials, and periods, including famous designers and manufacturers. The more you know, the better equipped you'll be to spot authentic pieces. But if you’re in the moment, at a thrift store or home trying to understand the value of your grandmother’s buffet, I’ve got a shortcut for you.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, Google and lots of other shopping sites have a visual search option. If you look at the search text box you’ll notice a little camera or picture icon on the right side usually. That is to allow you to do a visual search. Click that to take a photo or upload a photo and let Google do the work. It’ll return results that have a similar image to what you’ve uploaded. Now it isn’t perfect, but it’s a start. You may have to play around with the layout of the photo, so it doesn’t return unrelated results.
This won’t give you the immediate answer you’re looking for, but it does give you the resources to hunt deeper. I recommend looking at 10-15 images/links to understand how similar pieces are described and potentially priced. But do not get too hung up on price. Asking prices are not actual sold prices when it comes to vintage and antiques.
INSPECT WITH CARE
When you stumble upon a potential treasure, take a closer look. Examine the craftsmanship, the quality of materials, and any markings or labels. Authentic vintage pieces often bear marks from the manufacturer or designer. These can be found on the inside, back, or underside of drawers, on the back or underside of the piece, or even stamped into the wood itself.
I recommend also taking a picture of that label or mark and doing another Google image search. Or if you do just a normal text search, look at the images that are returned, not just the total results.
I believe we are just stewards of beautiful vintage craftsmanship. Thus, we have the privilege or, dare I say, responsibility to make smart decisions about its future. These pieces often reflect important developments in construction, manufacturing, or big design genre shifts. Just doing some simple searches can help you make a well-informed decision.
FEEL THE QUALITY
Run your hands over the furniture's surface. Authentic vintage pieces tend to have a weightiness and solidity to them. They're often made from high-quality materials like solid wood, genuine leather, or sturdy metal. Cheap, mass-produced imitations often feel flimsy or hollow by comparison.
Look for things like dove-tail drawers. I’ve even seen that on both the front and back of drawers. Open all the drawers or doors and see if they slide/open easily, or perhaps they catch, or wobble. All of these things are fixable, so don’t be intimidated by a little effort, but just note that these things can help you negotiate the price.
Try to lift it, heavy can also mean good quality, but not always. Look more closely at the back and see if the raw edges of the top, for example, are exposed. Does it look like an MDF-type product, or with layers, like plywood? Older versions of MDF tend to warp over time, but plywood and veneer may be a good sign.
In the mid-1800 various makers were exploring how to get straighter and stronger board products. I’ve read in a Louis Vuitton biography that in the early days of his trunk-making business, he tapped into his experience working for a carpenter in rural France. He learned that laying multiple layers of thin wood together would create a stronger substraight than the perfect cut from a tree. He further explored laying them in opposite directions so the grain direction would alternate. That again, made it much stronger and straighter.
This was introduced in more mass production around 1905 when the 100th anniversary of the World’s Fair was hosted in my hometown, Portland, Oregon. Local companies were asked to prepare exhibits and one local maker, decided to laminate various soft woods in a cross-wise pattern creating a stronger and straighter material. By 1907 they were cranking out 420 boards a day!
So do not be intimidated by seeing ply-type board material. Veneering was quite a regular manufacturing and decoration method going back to the time of King Tut! It became more of a common technique in 17th-century France, later spreading across Europe and beyond. So much of the vintage furniture we find today will have benefited from these two advancements.
SIGNS OF AGE
Embrace the beauty of imperfection! Vintage furniture bears the marks of its journey through time—scratches, dents, and patina are all part of its charm. These signs of age not only add character but also authenticate its vintage status. However, be wary of overly pristine pieces claiming to be vintage; they may be modern reproductions.
Some of what I look for are drawers with wood slides vs. metal. The first ball bearing and metal drawer slides started around 1960. That’s still over 50 years ago! Just check to see if the metal ones are bent. You can purchase new ones, both metal or wood, so it’s just about evaluating how much labor you’re going to have to put into it yourself.
I also look at details such as decorative decals, inlay, and wood applique. Again, these ideas were implemented years and years ago, but it may be a sign of a replica vs. an original design. Many makers took iconic ground-breaking designs or inventions and found ways to duplicate them with cheaper, but stronger materials, or faster methods. It’s all part of our human and organizational development.
These corner details on faux bamboo pieces are actually metal, not wood. It is an authentic detail, but do not assume metal means cheap. These were smart choices to help preserve the structure of the piece in addition to be decorative.
SEEK EXPERT ADVICE
When in doubt, consult the experts. Antique dealers, furniture restoration specialists, and appraisers can provide invaluable guidance. Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek a second opinion. Learning from seasoned professionals is an excellent way to hone your eye for authenticity.
I purchased a very old English library desk and immediately drove to O’Gallerie in Portland. They are well-known international dealers and if I wanted an expert to take a look at the piece before I even unloaded it out of my car. The appraiser's response was quite enlightening. He said yes, it’s 100ish years old, but they are of no value on the antique market today. He said to not feel guilty making changes to it. Essentially it wasn’t functional as is and because of that, it wasn’t desirable, nor on-trend. It would not warrant a higher price than what I paid for it. You can read all about Wells here.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
Above all, trust your gut. If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Authentic vintage furniture evokes a sense of history and craftsmanship that's hard to replicate. If a piece speaks to you on a deeper level, chances are it's the real deal or hits some sentimental memory. That alone can be valuable enough to purchase it.
If you start to hunt for vintage regularly, the EBTH provides insightful blog articles on trending items and top second-hand purchases. Chairish also has a fantastic blog worth exploring. It's one of my personal favorites.
Remember, the true value of vintage furniture lies not just in its monetary worth but in the stories it tells and the memories it creates. So go forth, fellow treasure hunter, and may your quest for authenticity be as rewarding as the pieces you discover along the way. Happy hunting!