But many antique stores sell a 1930s Art Deco table as an "antique", but in another part of the store, sell a 1930s Schiaparelli gown as vintage. Some purists claim the word "vintage" should only apply to wine. Over the last decade the term "retro", meaning the period 1950s to 1970s, has become confused with "vintage".
A solution to this conundrum is to concentrate on craftsmanship, rather than the 100-year rule. True antiques should be entirely handmade. Machinery was not introduced into furniture making until the 1860s. Automatic processes meant that furniture could be produced with precision straight lines and identical components.
A true antique will have components such as handles, knobs, rungs and spindles - that should be identical - of slightly different shapes and sizes. Handcrafting cannot produce identical pieces or perfect symmetry in the manner of a machine. Even the best reproduction furniture is easily recognised because it will have equal dimensions and symmetry.
The drawers in any item of furniture give some of the best clues about its age. Joints in drawers that have been dovetailed by hand will not be equal. When a carpenter made the original antique items, the planes, drawknives and spokeshaves that were his tools would have left marks and nicks on the inside of panels and drawers.
The type of wood used for the furniture provides other pointer. Oak was the main wood used in Europe until around 1700. Walnut came into use during the reign of William and Mary (1689-1702). It was very popular during the short reign (1702 -1714) of their daughter Queen Anne. Not all Queen Anne chairs were made of walnut, but it`s a good rule to assume that most were.
Mahogany was introduced during the later part of Queen Anne`s reign and remained popular over the following centuries. Cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale (1718 - 1789) always used mahogany for his furniture. The colonial period from the late 18th century onwards witnessed the introduction of different indigenous hardwoods from Asia and South America as well maple from North America.
Finer pine furniture in Britain had been made since the Middle Ages from wood imported from Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. At the beginning of the 20th century, carpenters began importing exotic walnut woods, kingwoods and zebrawoods to use as veneers.
The finish on a piece of furniture also gives clues to its age. Shellac - an insect resin dissolved in ethyl alcohol - was the only finish used on furniture until Victorian times. Successive coats of shellac were used for sealing and sanding wood until the surface acquired a very glossy finish. Very old furniture - pre-1700 - may be sealed and finished with oil and wax. Lacquers and varnishes were introduced after the 1860s.
If you are lucky enough to have identified a glorious piece of Chippendale, avoid hiding it in a period setting. Place it by a window next to modern Venetian blinds to give a stunning effect.
About Guest Blogger
About the Author: Tony Martin writes regularly for a wide range of interiors and DIY websites. Over the course of his career, Tony has contributed to a wide range of in house and national magazines on subjects as diverse as music, fashion and travel together with his main focus which is the interiors sector.
This post was written by a guest contributor. Please see credential in the post above. For guest post guideline at Home design inspiration , please check out our write a new guest post on home design tips at Home design inspiration page and know more about? how you can share your home design tips with our community.
Source: http://www.indianhomedesign.com/2012/07/the-difference-between-vintage-and.html
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