How to Identify an Antique Dining Table

Antique dining tables come in numerous styles and designs, making it difficult to identify a specific piece. The fact that modern day companies make pieces that look similar to antique pieces makes identification even more challenging. Modern pieces are made with a different type of construction and when you compare the two tables, you'll see telltale signs of a true antique. Identifying your antique dining table involves looking at all parts and components of the piece. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Examine the piece carefully for warping, cracking and other signs of age, especially with wood tables. Wood changes size over time, causing flaws in the piece. On older tables, you'll also notice uneven edges, a product of the primitive tools used to make the tables. Glass tables will be lightweight and thin, with some signs of warping.

2

Examine the piece for imperfections, which are common in antique tables. Modern pieces have boards and legs that are perfectly even, typically made by machines. Antique dining tables often have wood pieces that aren't exactly even and may include some imperfections.

3

Look at how the parts of the table are held together. In the pre-screw age, manufacturers used wood pegs to join parts; the pegs aren't symmetrical and actually look oblong or off-set. Even older screws have an uneven look and typically aren't flush with the table.

4

Examine the piece carefully for any signs of a maker's mark. Manufacturers often attached a paper label to the bottom of the table, but may have written or engraved a name on the underside. Check under the table for the label, as well as on the legs and sides.

5

Compare your dining table against those found in antique furniture guides or other books on antiques. The books tell you when the piece was made, the manufacturer, the type of wood used and other information. You'll also find ways to identify a piece from a specific manufacturer, even if a label isn't present.