How To Date Antique Furniture By Feet

There are a few simple ways to date furniture by looking at the feet. One way is to look at the overall shape of the feet. For example, furniture from the early 18th century tend to have cabriole legs with claw-and-ball feet, while furniture from the late 18th century tends to have straight, tapered legs.

Another way to date furniture is to look at the joinery of the feet. For example, furniture from the early 18th century is often held together with dovetail joints, while furniture from the late 18th century is often held together with mortise-and-tenon joints. Finally, you can also look at the hardware of the feet.

For example, furniture from the early 18th century often has brass casters, while furniture from the late 18th century often has iron casters.

  • Look for signs of wear on the feet of the furniture
  • If the feet are worn down, it is likely that the piece is antique
  • Examine the construction of the feet
  • Antique furniture is often made with dovetail joinery, while modern furniture is not
  • Feel the weight of the furniture
  • Antique furniture is often heavier than modern furniture, due to the use of solid wood construction
  • Look for a maker’s mark on the furniture
  • Many antique pieces will have a maker’s mark, which can help to date the piece
  • Compare the furniture to other pieces of similar age
  • This can help to get a general idea of when the piece was made

Secrets to Date & Value Antique Furniture by Dr. Lori

19th century antique furniture leg styles

In the early days of furniture design, legs were often made from turned wood or metal. These days, furniture legs come in a wide variety of styles, but many still reflect their 19th-century origins. Here are some of the most popular leg styles from the Victorian era:

1. Tapered legs: These legs are narrower at the top than at the bottom, and they were often used on pieces like dining room chairs and sofas. 2. Fluted legs: These legs have vertical grooves running up and down their length, and they were often seen on pieces like dressers and sideboards. 3. Cabriole legs: These legs are curved and often have ornate detailing.

They were commonly used on chairs and other smaller pieces. 4. Clawfoot legs: These legs are usually made of wood or metal and have a “claw” at the bottom.

Antique furniture feet styles

There are a variety of antique furniture feet styles that can be found on furniture pieces from different periods. Some of the most common styles include ball and claw feet, bun feet, and cabriole legs. Ball and claw feet were popular during the Queen Anne and Chippendale periods, while bun feet were often seen on furniture from the Early American period.

Cabriole legs were used on furniture during the Rococo and Louis XV periods. Each of these feet styles has its own unique characteristics that can help to identify the period in which the piece was made. Ball and claw feet are perhaps the most recognizable of the antique furniture feet styles.

These feet are characterized by a ball-shaped ornament at the end of each toe and a claw-like curve that extends from the ball up to the ankle. Ball and claw feet were often used on Queen Anne and Chippendale furniture, which were made during the 18th century.

What style of furniture has claw feet

Claw feet have been around for centuries and are a popular choice for furniture. They are often seen on chairs, tables, and cabinets. Claw feet can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and even plastic.

Claw feet are often chosen for their ornate and dramatic look. They can add a touch of elegance to any piece of furniture. Claw feet can be found in a variety of styles, including traditional, contemporary, and even rustic.

If you are considering adding claw feet to your furniture, be sure to choose a style that fits your overall design aesthetic. Claw feet are a great way to add personality to your furniture and make a statement in your home.

Paw feet furniture

Paw feet furniture is a type of furniture that is designed to look like an animal paw. It is usually made out of wood or metal and can be found in a variety of colors. Paw feet furniture is often used as a decorative element in a room, but it can also be used as a functional piece of furniture.

Paw feet furniture can be used as a coffee table, end table, or even a chair.

How can you tell how old a piece of furniture is?

There are a few ways to determine the age of a piece of furniture. One way is to look at the style of the piece. Another way is to look for telltale signs of wear and tear, which can give clues about how long the piece has been in use.

Finally, looking at the construction of the piece can also provide some clues about its age. One way to tell how old a piece of furniture is by its style. Different styles were popular in different periods, so by looking at the style of a piece, you can get a general idea of when it was made.

For example, furniture from the Victorian era is often very ornate, with heavy carving and intricate details. Furniture from the mid-century modern era is often more simplistic, with clean lines and a focus on functionality. Another way to tell how old a piece of furniture is by looking for signs of wear and tear.

Is there an app for identifying antique furniture?

Yes, there are a few different apps that can help you identify antique furniture. One of the most popular ones is called “Antique ID” and it’s available for both iPhone and Android devices. Once you have the app installed, you can use it to scan the barcodes of any antique furniture pieces that you come across.

The app will then provide you with information about the piece, including its age, history, and value. Another great option for identifying antique furniture is “The Antique Appraiser”. This app is available for both iPhone and Android, and it works in a similar way to “Antique ID”.

Once you have either of these apps installed on your phone, you’ll be able to quickly and easily identify any antique furniture that you come across.

What era of furniture has claw feet?

Claw feet have been used on furniture for centuries, but they became especially popular during the Victorian era. This was a time when furniture was often very ornate, and the addition of claw feet added an extra element of decoration. Claw feet were also popular because they helped to raise the furniture off the ground, making it easier to clean underneath.

Today, claw feet are still used on some types of furniture, although they are not as common as they once were.

What do the numbers on the back of antique furniture mean?

The numbers on the back of antique furniture are called “trade numbers.” They were used by furniture retailers to track inventory and orders. The numbers typically range from 1 to 500, with each number representing a different piece of furniture.

The higher the number, the more valuable the piece of furniture is.

Conclusion

When it comes to antique furniture, one of the first things you need to look at is the feet. The feet can tell you a lot about the piece, including its age and style. Here are a few tips on how to date antique furniture by feet.

One of the easiest ways to date a piece of furniture is to look at the feet. Most furniture from the 18th century has simple square or rectangular feet. In the early 19th century, furniture makers began to experiment with different shapes and sizes of feet.

If you see furniture with turned or tapered feet, it is probably from the early 19th century. Another way to date furniture by feet is to look at the joinery. In the 18th century, furniture was usually made with mortise and tenon joinery, which is very strong and durable.

In the early 19th century, dovetails became popular, which are much weaker and less durable.

John Davis

John Davis is the founder of this site, Livings Cented. In his professional life, he’s a real-estate businessman. Besides that, he’s a hobbyist blogger and research writer. John loves to research the things he deals with in his everyday life and share his findings with people. He created Livings Cented to assist people who want to organize their home with all the modern furniture, electronics, home security, etc. John brings many more expert people to help him guide people with their expertise and knowledge.

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