By 1730, through dovetail joinery was abandoned in English furniture making in favor of the lapped construction. As furniture became more refined, furniture makers began to take pride in the construction of their drawers as well.
How do you date a dovetail joint furniture?
You can get an idea of the date of a piece of antique furniture by looking at the dovetail joint, as if it is hand cut you know its pre 1880 and the more primitive the cut usually means an earlier piece. Below you can see examples, the first is a 17th century drawer, pre dovetail so very primitive clout nails used.
Are dovetail joints still used?
They are still used today by many experienced custom furniture makers. Dovetail joints are not only used to make a strong joint for drawer construction, but cabinet makers often use them to join the tops, bottoms and sides of cabinet cases, as was done on antique furniture.
How can you tell how old furniture is?
Search for any labels, stamps or manufacturing tags underneath or on the back of furniture, or in the drawers. These marks will be able to tell you who made the furniture, where it was manufactured and often the year that it was made. If there is a label, look for signs of ageing as they can be faked.
How do you date a dovetail joint furniture?
You can get an idea of the date of a piece of antique furniture by looking at the dovetail joint, as if it is hand cut you know its pre 1880 and the more primitive the cut usually means an earlier piece. Below you can see examples, the first is a 17th century drawer, pre dovetail so very primitive clout nails used.
How can you tell if wood is antique furniture?
The best way to tell if it’s real wood is to look at the end grain. This is the surface of the wood that is exposed when a piece of wood is cut across the growth rings or layers of the tree. Real wood’s end grain looks distinctly different from that of manufactured wood.
How to date an old dresser?
Make sure to search for labels, stamps, or manufacturing tags that can tell when and where a piece was made. Furniture companies and makers often listed their names, locations, and year of production This information can be found on the inside of drawers, the backs of bureaus, and on the lower edges of pieces.
Is dovetail the highest quality?
Dovetail is arguably the strongest joint in millwork. It’s made so that it can’t be twisted or pulled in any direction except for one. This means that it’ll take more force to break or damage the joint. Because of the preciseness of each piece, this joint is held into place without the need for extra reinforcement.
What is the weakness of dovetail joint?
The disadvantages of dovetail joints are that they can be fairly difficult to mark out and cut, and if they are made badly these joints lose the advantages listed above. Depending on the project, function, and design, there are a number of different types of dovetail joints to choose from.
How to identify 1800s furniture?
The finish on the wood can also date the piece. Until Victorian times, shellac was the only clear surface finish; lacquer and varnish were not developed until the mid-1800s. The finish on a piece made before 1860 is usually shellac; if the piece is very old, it may be oil, wax, or milk paint.
What year is considered vintage furniture?
Most antique dealers consider an item to be vintage if it is at least 40 years old. So, in the context of this blog date, a vintage item would be made between 1918 and 1978. Even though many vintage items are nostalgic, they are sought after for many reasons besides their age.
Where are dovetail joints usually found in furniture?
Finally, because the two connected pieces of wood are joined at a 90-degree angle, dovetails are typically used in the construction of corners in drawers, chests, or other box-like containers. However, you do occasionally find them elsewhere, such as on tables, desks, or other casegoods.
What is the most common joint in furniture design?
Box Joint. A box joint is one of the most common woodworking joints (among others) that is essentially made by cutting a set of interlocking profiles into two ends of wood, and then joined at right angles.
Are dovetail joints worth it?
Making sure that you pick a drawer joint that can withstand this type of wear and tear is crucial to the longevity of your kitchen cabinets. Dovetail joints are considered one of the strongest joints used in kitchen cabinetry construction and are the best solution for a kitchen cabinet drawer box.
What is the appearance of a dovetail joint?
There are two parts to a dovetail joint, pins and tails. The tails look like the tail of a dove (hence the name), and the pins are on the opposite board and fit in between the tails to create a joint that is impossible to pull apart in at least one direction.
What are the traditional dovetail angles?
Although softwoods are more compressible than hardwoods, you needn’t change the dovetail angle to add strength to the joint. Any angle between 7° and 15° will work, regardless of the wood. But stay within that range. If you go below 7°, you’ll start to lose the mechanical strength of the dovetail.
What is the history of dovetail drawers?
The History of Dovetail Drawers The dovetail joint dates back to ancient Egyptian furniture, where it was used to join wooden boxes. However, it was not until the 17th century that the dovetail joint was widely used in furniture construction.
How do you date a dovetail joint furniture?
You can get an idea of the date of a piece of antique furniture by looking at the dovetail joint, as if it is hand cut you know its pre 1880 and the more primitive the cut usually means an earlier piece. Below you can see examples, the first is a 17th century drawer, pre dovetail so very primitive clout nails used.
What kind of wood was used in Victorian furniture?
Dark woods such as mahogany, rosewood, and walnut were the most common types of wood used to make Victorian furniture, although oak and ash were also sometimes used. Replicas of Victorian furniture are invariably stained to resemble the rich hues of Victorian furniture.
What is the difference between vintage and antique furniture?
Simply put, an antique is any item — whether it be a work of art, jewelry, carpets or everyday objects like housewares and accessories — that is over 100 years old. Vintage items are much younger, less than 100 years old, and typically have a collector’s appeal.
How do I identify an antique furniture maker?
Check drawers, the underside or back of a piece to find any stamp or tag that might be hiding there. If you don’t manage to find a maker’s mark on a piece, there may still be clues to its origin such as a guild or association mark. This can help buyers and sellers narrow down the probable history of a piece.
Is 60 year old furniture considered antique?
According to the antique industry, the common consensus is that for a work to be accurately labeled an antique, it must be at least one hundred years old. This rule is for any item, including furniture and more delicate goods.
What antique furniture is worth money?
However, the most highly valued furniture pieces are made of types of woods used in specific eras. For instance, the Age of Oak existed between the 16th and 17th centuries. The ages of walnut, mahogany and satinwood then followed. Knowing what wood your furniture is made of can give you an idea of both age and value.
When did machine cut dovetails start?
Until the 1880s, all furniture dovetails were cut by hand using a chisel and hammer. With the industrial revolution came the advent of the machine, and from the late 19th century onwards, dovetails were often cut by machine. These are easy to spot as they are not nearly as fine as the hand cut dovetails.
What is considered an antique dresser?
“On the other hand, for an item to be classified as antique, it must be at least 100 years old.” He adds that this is regardless of what the item is: “This rule applies across all disciplines—books, ceramics, glass, pottery, or furniture,” he adds.
