How can I tell if my Chinese furniture is antique? #
Determining what’s antique and what’s reproduction is getting harder and harder. Sometimes this is a deliberate attempt to pass off a reproduction of as a genuine antique, with the idea that customer would be willing to pay more for the antique. But other times, the line between what’s antique and what’s reproduction is simply just blurry. So how can you tell if Chinese furniture is antique or not? And of course, there are also the questions of “where is my Chinese antique furniture from?” Or “how old is my Chinese antique furniture?” Is it original?
In the example shown here, this reproduction coffee table is built to size and stained to a particular color and is obviously new. But the carvings inset into the top face of the table are in fact actual antiques.
- Is this considered an antique?
- Is it just a common reproduction?
- How do you classify a piece like this?
WHAT IF ITS ACTUALLY A BIT OF BOTH...? #
This cabinet is made from antique reclaimed wood and incorporates antique screen panels in the doors. The construction is entirely new so its not antique, but its not exactly 100% new either due to the old materials.
How can you tell if Chinese furniture is antique? #
All your questions are answered here #
Authentic or fake? Where is it from? How old is it? How does one go about answering this question? Much like life, unfortunately there is no one single simple answer. But have now fear, as here we have devoted quite a number of different posts to each aspect of this question. I will show you what to look for, what to look at and how to identify it.
Each of the sections below will link to a different detailed post teaching you about each of the mains areas you will need to pay attention to. We will cover these topics:
- Common faux finishes to look out for.
- What are the main styles of Chinese furniture?
- What occurs during the restoration process?
- How to tell if Chinese furniture is antique
- How to tell if the paintings are original?
- Common modifications to watch out for
- Beware of fakes
- How to recognize and assess quality
- How to identify factory made reproductions
- Woods and wood identification
Of course this won’t cover everything as one could spend a lifetime studying this topic. This page will however offer some excellent guidelines and starting points.
Common faux finishes to look out for. #
If your furniture is using one of these common finishes, its more than likely that it’s either a new reproduction or if it is indeed antique, it means the finish is new.
A HAND-RUBBED DISTRESSED LACQUER FINISH. #
A start-to-finish look at creating one of the more common "aging" effects: the "scraped edge"
MORE BASIC CHINESE CRACKED LACQUERS AND HOW THEY ARE MADE #
This looks at some of the more common types of "cracked lacquer" finishes, often seen on antique reproductions.
WHITEWASHED FURNITURE: BLEACHED, LIMED, CERUSED AND WHITEWASHED #
Limed finishes, white washed finishes and "dry ground" finishes are commonly used to create an "aged" look. None however are original.
CONVINCING CHINESE CRACKED LACQUER FINISHES #
In an effort to reproduce the subtle crackle patterns that occur in naturally aged lacquer, modern workshops have have developed innovative imitation techniques.
RECLAIMED wOODS ARE NOT THE SAME THING AS ORIGINAL ANTIQUES #
Did you know sometimes reproductions are made of old wood reclaimed from beams in old houses or even from old doors.
BE CAREFUL: SOME FAKES FINISHES ARE QUITE CONVINCING #
This convincing finish involves a fabric base, some dirt and probably a blow torch. How to tell if Chinese furniture is antique when you have fakes like this?
What are the main types of Chinese Furniture? #
Did you know there are actually six main styles from which most Chinese furniture comes from? Did you know that of these six main “schools,” Suzhou, Guangdong and Beijing styles are considered the three main pillars. These posts will show you to identify antique Chinese furniture using the six main styles.
BASIC GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING TIBETAN ANTIQUE FURNITURE #
Tibetan Furniture: How to identify what is antique and what is reproduction.
What occurs during restoration? #
CHAI KAI – THE ART OF STRUCTURAL REPAIRS TO CHINESE FURNITURE #
拆开 (Chāi kāi) means to “take apart” and people often don’t realize that when restoring Chinese antique furniture, in some cases it must be taken apart and entirely refitted back together.
CLEANING AND REMOVING GERATIONS OF DIRT #
There are times when "patina" is just a fancy way of saying dirt.
ANTIQUES ARE SOMETIMES MODIFIED DURING RESTORATION #
Often Chinese antique furniture is modified without one realizing it. This post will introduce you to the idea of custom restored antiques that have been modified in way that changes their original structure and usage.
SOMETIMES CLEANING REVEALS A SURPRISE! #
You never know what's in store for you when you start restoring a piece.
How to tell if the paintings are original? #
THE PAINTINGS ON CHINESE ANTIQUE FURNITURE ARE NOT ALWAYS GENUINE #
Even genuine Chinese antique furniture may not be as original as you think. Did you know that paintings are often retouched or even repainted completely during restoration.
DETERMINING THE OLD FROM THE NEW ON CHINESE GOLD PAINTED FURNITURE #
How to tell if the beautiful gold paintings on your antique furniture are actually original or new?
Common modifications to watch out for #
MODIFICATIONS COMMONLY MADE TO CHINESE FURNITURE #
A list of potential modifications you may come across from rebuilt pieces to paintings to new inlays.
WITH THIS CHINESE NOODLE CABINET-SCHOLAR CABINET, APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING! #
Even genuine Chinese antique furniture may not be as original as you think. How to tell if Chinese furniture is antique or simply a faux creation.
On most Chinese antiques the brass or iron hardware has been replaced. Do you know why? #
In 1957 Mao trued to bump up China's steel production using small traditional blast furnaces throughout the countryside. It was a disaster.
Be aware of Fakes #
SUPPOSEDLY AUTHENTIC CHINESE MING ALTER TABLE IS BRAND NEW #
Looks can be deceiving! Here we will show you some techniques to determine if your antique furniture is real or a fake.
How to recognize and assess quality #
DETERMINING QUALITY IN CHINESE ANTIQUE STYLE FURNITURE (WHAT IS QUALITY?) #
A few short but interesting examples and baselines which can be used when making an assessment of quality.
MORE ON HOW TO DETERMINE QUALITY IN CHINESE ANTIQUE FURNITURE #
A more detailed look at recognizing that not all pieces are equal and some are of a higher quality than others.
How to identify factory made reproductions #
Some Chinese style furniture is actually mass produced in large production lines in modern factories which forego all traditional techniques. These posts will show you how recognize it.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SELLING? DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING? #
There is a trend where just about “everyone and anyone” is now selling so called “Chinese antique furniture” and misrepresenting it as any number of different things.
GUIDE TO CHINESE FURNITURE – PART 5) MANUFACTURED ITEMS #
Not all antique furniture is equal and some are more valuable than others.
Hardwoods used in traditional Chinese antique furniture #
A basic visual guide.
