Hand-cut dovetailing was the default until 1860 when uniform machine-cut joints were introduced. But fine cabinetmakers persisted in fitting their joints by hand until the early 1900s, and cabinetmakers in Europe cut dovetails by hand well into the 1930s.
When did dovetail joints stop?
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.
What age of furniture is dovetail?
The English cabinet maker first started using the dovetail joint in the mid 17th Century on walnut furniture and carried on doing this by hand until the late 19th century when they were produced by machines, mainly in the Edwardian periods.
How can I tell how old a chest of drawers are?
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.
Why are dovetail joints bad?
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.
Are dovetail joints still used?
However, dovetails have become a signature of craftsmanship and are generally considered a feature, so they are rarely concealed in contemporary work. When used in drawer construction, a through (or blind, mitred, or lapped) dovetail joint is sometimes referred to as an “English dovetail.”
Do they still use dovetail joints?
Dovetail joints used to be the best way to join pieces of wood, especially a box or drawer. I used to cut them by hand but now you can buy jigs. Modern glues, like Gorilla Glue, are so strong I rarely use a dovetail joint unless it’s going to show. I usually use a rabbet, or sometimes even a butt joint.
How can you tell how old your 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.
Is 30 year old furniture considered vintage?
But what qualifies a piece to be vintage? It is a term that is loosely used to describe a previously owned piece of furniture; however for a piece to be considered “VINTAGE” it must be between 30 to 100 years old. Furniture that is at least 100 years old is classified as “ANTIQUE”.
Is 70 year old furniture antique?
What Is Antique? The term antique refers to something 100 years or older, says Rebecca Rau of M.S. Rau Antiques. This criteria helps to distinguish antiques from more contemporary collectibles and decorative items.
What year is considered vintage furniture?
The word vintage literally means “of age.” With such an open meaning, there are many interpretations. 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.
How can you tell if furniture is from the 1800s?
But, it is important to determine which type of wood is most prevalent in your antique to help determine the age. Oak is highly popular in furniture that dates from 1700 to earlier years. Walnut and mahogany were prevalent between the years 1700 to 1800, and maple and cherry were common from 1800–1900.
What is the most popular dovetail?
1) Through Dovetail Also known as the plain dovetail, this is the most common and basic type of dovetail joint. Through interlocking tails and pins, this joint showcases consistent angles, revealing the wood’s end grains on external surfaces.
What is a blind dovetail?
In half-blind dovetails, the tails are embedded in the pins board without going all the way through. They give you the strength of regular dovetails with uninterrupted grain on one side, which is why they’re often used for drawers.
Which is better English or French dovetail?
While both English and French dovetail construction are very sturdy and high quality, English dovetail construction is slightly sturdier with the trade-off of being more expensive and time-consuming to produce.
What is the oldest dovetail joint?
A dovetail is one of the oldest forms of joinery. This method of fixing pieces of wood together has been around for 3000 years, or more – first seen in Egyptian coffins and jewellery boxes.
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.
What is stronger dovetail or finger joint?
Although the finger joint is not mechanically interlocking like a dovetail, the joint is amazingly strong. Today’s modern adhesives and the large glue surface make the finger joint equally as strong as the dovetail throughout the life of the adhesive.
Is a finger joint stronger than a dovetail joint?
For box joint, some people put a lot more fingers than it is possible to do with Dovetail. In this case, the gluing surface is larger, and the joint is likely stronger. Also, some find a way to hide a finish nail in the joint. Dovetail has the advantage of a mechanical lock independent of the glue.
What is the strongest joint in woodworking?
Mortise and tenon joints have stood the test of time for their remarkable strength. This traditional joint involves a projecting piece of wood, called a tenon, securely fitting into a corresponding cavity, a mortise. It can be reinforced with glue or wedges for stability for a stronger hold.
Is a finger joint stronger than a dovetail joint?
For box joint, some people put a lot more fingers than it is possible to do with Dovetail. In this case, the gluing surface is larger, and the joint is likely stronger. Also, some find a way to hide a finish nail in the joint. Dovetail has the advantage of a mechanical lock independent of the glue.
Is dovetail 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.
Are old bureaus worth anything?
These hidden compartments were often used to store valuable or confidential items discreetly. On sellingAntiques we have a great selection of antique bureau we’ve 807 items for you to consider to purchase, ranging from £150 to £65,000.
Should you glue dovetail joints?
Michael Dresdner: The only areas that require glue on dovetails are the diagonal faces. All the diagonal faces are long grain, all the square faces are end grain, and all the flat faces abut end grain. Therefore, you need only apply glue to the diagonal faces on the tails or pins, or both.
How to date antique furniture UK?
Look for dovetail joints on the back or underneath of your furniture or the underside of drawers. Early furniture usually has one large dovetail joint with imperfections in the cut. This tells you that the piece probably dates to the 18th Century.
What are the signs of Victorian furniture?
Victorian furniture is characterized by ornate carvings, dark woods, and heavy luxurious fabrics. Victorian furniture is traditionally made from mahogany, rosewood, or walnut, sometimes painted or gilded. Intricate carvings of natural images such as flowers, leaves, curling vines, ribbons, and bows adorned the pieces.
