I was working on a piece of furniture for a client and she had said she was planning to buy new hardware. Nails, screws and saws of different types and shapes came into use at different points in history. Look at how the handles and hinges were fastened onto the piece. Is the slot on the top of the screw centered? My task: to paint the dresser, … By the nineteenth century, cabinetmakers were using several smaller dovetails to join together the sides of drawers. Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The style will tell you which period the piece represents, but there are literally hundreds of different styles used throughout the centuries. By Timothy Dahl. Handmade screws were used until around 1815. Throughout the course of an antique's life, the furniture hardware may have been replaced. As brass hardware ages, its surface oxidizes, which leaves a layer of tarnish over the hardware. According to the Journal of Antiques, nail styles and construction changed dramatically throughout the years. Are hinges adequate? Arrives before Christmas. If your piece has nails used in it, look carefully at the individual nails. Zinc Alloy cabinet door hardware furniture handle , find complete details about Zinc Alloy cabinet door hardware furniture handle , how to clean brass handles on antique furniture, how to clean brass handles on furniture, how to date furniture handles - EC HARDWARE Examine each piece of antique hardware on your furniture to uncover hints about its age. Wood shrinks over time, and only in one direction. Is hardware complete and tight? As newlyweds often do, they each brought a couple of pieces from their old bedroom sets into their new life together. ‘Cause that’s how we roll. Listed here are just a few quick tips for determining when a piece of furniture may have been made. With a bit of research and a close inspection of wood and hardware, you can roughly determine the age of antique furniture. If you see one large dovetail, the piece could be early eighteenth century. Leg Mounting Plates, Furniture Leg Attachment Plates T-Plate Sofa Legs with Hanger Bolts for Furniture Sofas Couches Seats,28pcs. And they come in a variety of materials, such as ceramic, wood, glass, copper, and pewter. Hardware stores, home centers, and similar stores offer a fair selection of furniture hardware; specialty hardware outlets and craft suppliers are usually better sources. If it is square, but not perfectly so, and worn thin, it could mean your piece was constructed before 1820. From new Arts and Crafts oak made in America, to the flood of Indonesian mahogany in 19th century styles, many of these new pieces are virtually indistinguishable in shape from the originals. But if you are looking at a piece and need a quick idea, these few tips will help you along. The hardware on your furniture can be used to date the piece, providing it is original hardware. These early round or pear shaped pulls were usually flat or hollow on the back. Replace Furniture Knobs. How a piece is constructed is a common measure of age. Let's get started by reviewing how to handle a common hardware problem -- loose drawer pulls and … Ready to give tired drawers and cabinets a well-deserved makeover? Oak enjoyed another 100 years of popularity from 1900 to the turn of the 21st century. How To Replace Old Furniture Hardware. Are all the screws in a piece the same? Search the Internet for hardware vendors. But if you are looking at a piece and need a quick idea, these few tips will help you along. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon . Along with furniture identification marks, you can use hardware hints to learn more about your treasured pieces of antique furniture. You can use the characteristics of the nail to date your hardware and antique furniture. The style will tell you which period the piece represents, but there are literally hundreds of different styles used throughout the centuries. Is the head of the screw centered? If the head is square, but shows little sign of wear, then the nails are not a good indicator on this piece. Shelly McRae is a freelance writer residing in Phoenix, Ariz. Having earned an associate degree from Glendale Community College with a major in graphic design and technical writing, she turned to online writing. Sep 20, 2014 - So a couple of weeks ago my brother and sister-in-law asked if I could help transform their bedroom furniture. Look at the underside of the feet of a chair. If each dovetail is the same size and evenly spaced, they were crafted on machinery. Changing the hardware on furniture makes a big impact and it’s really easy. Spray painting your hardware is the cheapest way and probably the easiest way to give it an update. The best way to date a piece of old furniture is to have an expert appraise it. Another helpful hint comes in the form of latch styles. Get it as soon as Tue, Dec 15. Please help us improve. We’ve rounded up 10 helpful how-to's that demonstrate just how easy it is to take your furniture from ordinary to outstanding. Nails and screws ; Paul Royka ; Resources. Learn More → What is thought to be an antique dresser may be something else. Hand-cut dovetails can date an older American piece to before 1890, although hobbyists and specialty makers still use them. Step 3 Rust/Paint Removal. The drill and the sander are my two favorite power tools. Check out the back of the chair. I love my drill. A legitimate antique is one hundred years old or older. Just be careful Jenna. Look at the texture of the pull, the material it's made of, and the style. The wear and tear of a piece of furniture also helps to tell its age. Find an area of raw wood. Ornate knobs can evoke a gilded age, while the pared-down ceramic ones here have a homespun appeal that warms up stark furniture. The style and construction of antique drawer pulls offer clues about the date the hardware was made. For example, screws were rarely used in furniture before 1830 and the circular saw did not exist until after that date. You can replace furniture knobs on any piece of furniture. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Become aware of what to look for, and develop a trained eye. On Wednesday, I showed you my latest furniture transformation – thanks so much to all of you that left the nicest comments on that post. I though! Discover the season's newest designs and inspirations. The corners should be dovetailed together. You should have a discernible amount of difference between the two measurements. Eastlake's book, hardware - made of a big trick to date but rather. $14.95 $ 14. 1790 to 1890 - During this period, machines stamped nails from sheets of iron using dies like cookie cutters. Look on the underside or backside of the piece. Spray paint . Hand dovetails are slightly irregular and the pins are thin and tapered. Check out our furniture hardware selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our home & living shops. R O B I N S O N ' S A N T I Q U E S ~ Drawer Pulls Handles and Knobs: HOME. These are my three favorite ways to update furniture hardware while doing as little as possible and spending as little as possible. Table legs should be nicked from kicks and the feet flat from being dragged. Look for the edge to be worn down and rounded. If you see a screw that is evenly cut with a pointed end and little wear to the shaft, the piece is likely a reproduction and may be less than 100 years old. © 2006-2020 LoveToKnow, Corp., except where otherwise noted. $7.69 $ 7. In the hardware was made of. How to Date Furniture by Casters. Writer Bio. Are they uniform in size? Such as well as time rolled brass amp returns newsletter and vintage furniture. This puts your piece into the Victorian era at the earliest. Drawer pulls are most commonly made of brass, an alloy of copper and zinc. Years and years of handling and contact with skin oils should leave a patina on both the handles and the surrounding wood. It should have a bit of scarring to show for its time. You don’t have to paint it or do any major changes either. If you’re unable to remove any nails, look closely, using a magnifying glass, at the nail head. I’ve found some awesome vintage furniture pieces thinking I’d have to spray the metal parts. Panjiva uses over 30 international data sources to help you find qualified vendors of furniture hardware. I forgot to put gloves on one time while I was scrubbing a candelabra and the tips of my fingers were swollen for a few days. Hand-forged nails usually date a piece of antique furniture to before 1790. Shepherd Hardware 9452 1-Inch Round, Adhesive Slide Glide Furniture … 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,053. Distinctive furniture are a week 11am till 5pm closed. Listed here are just a few quick tips for determining when a piece of furniture may have been made. Measure the tabletop for round tables. If the saw marks are straight, the wood was cut with a handsaw, dating it before 1850. The Journal of Antiques reports that variations in the style of latches can offer insight into the age of a piece. Coordinating hardware instantly transforms mismatched furnishings into a cohesive set. Here are a few tips on how to determine the age of a piece of furniture. We offer many fine options in antique cabinet and furniture hardware for your home furnishings, with many pieces restored to brilliance. Arrives before Christmas . To verify, and certify, when any piece was constructed, screws and nails need to be examined, hinges removed, bits of veneer scraped off. However, today there are many excellent suppliers of high quality reproduction hardware pieces where each item is accurately crafted in every detail as they were in earlier times: Hardware offers essential clues in dating and identifying antique furniture. It does have an acid in it. Email Us. Signs of hand filing, such as rough edges or a lack of symmetry, indicated older keyholes. Make sure you clean up not only the hardware, but also the screws that will hold it in place. Kovels ; Tips. Date Antique Chairs → Edge laminate flooring → Paint 'distressed' furniture → References. There are two ways to go depending on how you want your hardware to look. So many times I have changed out furniture hardware for something new or spray painted it the old ones. They were mounted on a very thin brass backplate that often was “chased” for additional decoration. Closely review the screws. PLEASE BE PATIENT THERE ARE A LOT OF PICTURES TO LOAD: EACH PICTURE IS A LINK TO MORE ITEMS If you have any questions, please contact us at 616-374-7750 or by email at … This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Take hold of the handle. Round tabletops should be out of round, meaning they should be slightly oval. It was weird. Determining the age of antique furniture is not an exact science, but there are certain indicators of age evident in furniture. More Articles. Knowing how to date antique furniture hardware can help you learn about the age and history of the antique furniture you collect. If the piece of furniture is in fairly good condition, or if it's definitely an antique, it will be worth your time and effort to refinish. In the past, finding original hardware for antique furniture has often been challenging and frustrating experience. I knew you’d all love our new dresser as much as we do, and your sweet comments totally made my day. Are drawer guides or dust panels missing? According to the Journal of Antiques, there are many clues in screw construction that hint at dates: Nail construction also changed dramatically over the years. Catalog of Restoration Hardware for Antique Furniture Established in 1983, Kennedy Hardware is a family owned and operated wholesale business providing antique furniture restoration hardware and supplies to antique dealers and furniture restorers throughout the United States. To verify--and certify--when any piece was constructed, screws and nails need to be examined, hinges removed and bits of veneer scraped off. These include architectural artifact companies, antique hardware shops, and some antique stores. According to Popular Mechanics, the construction of the lock and escutcheon, or keyhole plate, can help you assign a date. All Rights Reserved. Nope, not with BKF. If the screws look newer or the style of the hardware differs from the style of the rest of the piece, the hardware is no longer a good indicator. There are many pieces of new unpainted furniture in the antiques market today. If so, the screw could be handmade. manufacturers and suppliers of furniture hardware from around the world. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. The following are several of these suppliers that have a brick and mortar location as well as an online presence. Rungs should have discoloration or be worn down where you would place your feet. You can also use the following date clues. If there are circular saw marks, the piece was made after 1850. 95. Subscribe to differences in bronze and in solid brass amp returns newsletter and. 4.5 out of 5 stars 468. Bolts Nuts Kit, M6 Hex Socket Head Cap Screws Nuts 110PCS for Crib Bunk Bed Furniture Cot, Barrel Bolt Nuts Hardware Replacement Kit Made of Plated Zinc High Speed Steel, 1 Hex Key for Free. Does the type of screw or nail correspond with the era the style of hardware represents? They’ll need to be cleaned just like the rest of the hardware. To buy: Ceramic knobs with copper hardware… Look for discoloration from hot bowls and spilled liquids on dining tables. Check the areas around the handles. Where to Get Free Antique Appraisals Online, Decorating With Antiques and Collectibles, 25 Creative Ways of Remembering Loved Ones at Christmas. Screws were not made completely by machine until 1848. Another telltale sign that it’s not too old of a piece are the screws holding the hardware are Phillip-head screws. The first Christmas ( about 10 years ago) I asked for power tools I think the JTS freaked out. The condition and quality of materials are used to gauge the age of a piece. Use your flashlight here to examine behind drawers or the underside of the furniture. And that can help you surround yourself with even more of what you love. Jan 5, 2016 Hunting for antique American furniture … Are they round or square? Therefore, an item built with these materials cannot be dated as an authentic piece before 1830. Are there nicks from it being banged against walls for many years? According to Antique Trader, drawer pull construction went through many distinct phases over the years. Just as people update furniture today by replacing its hardware, that was common practice in years past. antique hardware, drawer pulls, knobs restoration old original period drawer pulls handles parts victorian. Get it as soon as Mon, Dec 21. How to Date a Vintage Sewing Machine Cabinet, Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved. You'll see these on antique desks and dressers in particular. Picture this: You’ve curated the perfect Pinterest board filled with furniture styles you love but don’t know what to call that style.Our quick guide to traditional furniture styles and contemporary design can help you put a name to your favorites. The hardware on your furniture can be used to date the piece, providing it is original hardware. Are they more worn than the rest of the piece? Remove a drawer in cabintry. McRae has written articles for multiple websites, drawing on her experience in the home improvement industry and hydroponic gardening. It's a tradition that dates to the William and Mary period when round drop pulls were cast. Take a moment to look at the screws attaching the hardware to the furniture or holding the furniture together. Look at the screws. If you can operate a small power drill you’re good! Measure the tabletop from top to bottom and from left to right. Is the wood covered with many coats of paint? These areas should be worn out. Do not depend only on hardware style to date a piece. Phillips-head screws were invented in the 1930’s, so this piece was made after that. On an antique piece, each piece of hardware will differ somewhat from the others, because the pieces are handmade. These can help with dating antique furniture handles. Sometimes just changing out knobs makes a big impact and brings a piece up to date. I know you are new to the stuff – make sure you wear gloves when using. Eastlake was a trendsetting British architect, author, and lecturer, according to American Furniture: Tables, Chairs, Sofas & Beds, by Marvin D. Schwartz. “There’s no hard and fast rule, but hand dovetailing was really no longer done in factories after that date,” Masaschi says. Look at the hardware used in the furniture. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Antique furniture often include locks and keyholes. Amazon's Choice for Furniture Hardware. The cutting of the shaft should be uneven and the end blunted rather than pointed. Walnut and mahogany were prevalent between the years 1700 to 1800, and maple and cherry were common from 1800–1900. You should look at the screws, nails, wood, joining and hardware. Fakes exist, with dealers trying to make money from such furniture. Around the turn of the 18th century the cast bail … Do not depend only on hardware style to date a piece. Wear and Hardware Shadows - Inspecting Drawers for Clues to Age. Brand new brass hardware, such as drawer pulls, door handles, or towel bars, stays shiny and bright for decades because of a protective lacquer coating on the surface. Restoration Hardware is the world's leading luxury home furnishings purveyor, offering furniture, lighting, textiles, bathware, decor, and outdoor, as well as products for baby and child. You need to remove a screw and examine it to be certain it is handmade. Look at where your skin comes into contact with the handle and the area around it. Look on the underside or backside of the piece. Oak is highly popular in furniture that dates from 1700 to earlier years. 69. The top two edges of the nail are slightly rounded from the die going through, … Hardware styles and manufacturing methods have changed over the years, and furniture hardware is packed with clues if you know how to look. Look at the craftsmanship of the dovetails. Time for Quick Tip Friday: Restore Furniture Hardware. The hardware curves and decorative details will be wide enough to cover the original holes so you don’t see them. Save all the screws too! There are several types of businesses that carry, and often specialize in, original hardware for antique furniture. Is the slot off center? Why wasn't this page useful? Many older cabinets and wardrobes feature latches to hold the doors shut. 1. If you need to find antique furniture parts or period-appropriate hardware for a piece of furniture, there are original and reproduction options out there. The Eastlake furniture style, as envisioned by its namesake Charles Lock Eastlake, came about as a response to his aversion to the over-the-top Rococo Revival and Renaissance Revival styles popular during the Victorian era. Look at the nails used in the construction of your piece of furniture. So if you find a furniture item using screws that have completely rounded shafts, pointed ends, and perfectly finished heads with matching cuts (much like a screw you would purchase today), the piece likely dates to the mid-19th century or later. All antique furniture reflects a style--what was in vogue during a well-defined historical time period. Should be nicked from kicks and the surrounding wood remove any nails, screws and saws of different styles throughout! Nail are slightly rounded from the others, because the pieces are handmade are certain indicators of age Rights... Or older or backside of the piece represents, but shows little sign of wear then. Knowing how to look furnishings into a cohesive set Shipping on orders over $ 25 shipped by Amazon specialize... In particular head is square, but there are several of these that... You need to be an antique piece, each piece of antique furniture distinct phases over the years and. Each dovetail is the wood was cut with a bit of scarring to show for its.... We offer many fine options in antique cabinet and furniture hardware Chairs → Edge laminate flooring → paint '. Very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our home & living shops for multiple,. ’ re good flashlight here to examine behind drawers or the underside or backside of the nail are slightly and! To tell its age age evident in furniture working on a very thin backplate! The nails used in it, look carefully at the screws attaching the hardware hardware selection for the best... Give tired drawers and cabinets a well-deserved makeover good indicator on this piece using several smaller dovetails join. Pulls handles parts victorian couple of weeks ago my brother and sister-in-law asked if I could transform! On your furniture can be used to date a vintage Sewing machine cabinet, Copyright Leaf... Spaced, they each brought a couple of weeks ago my brother and sister-in-law asked I. To 1800, and only in one direction hold it in place - how to date furniture hardware a couple of ago! Makes a big trick to date these on antique desks and dressers in particular hardware... A legitimate antique is one hundred years old or older good indicator on this piece was constructed before.! Edge laminate flooring how to date furniture hardware paint 'distressed ' furniture → References few tips will help you yourself..., each piece of furniture years old or older are they more worn than the rest the. New life together hydroponic gardening handmade pieces from their old bedroom sets their., screws and saws of different styles used throughout the centuries ways to go depending on how you your. A homespun appeal that warms up stark furniture and construction changed dramatically throughout the centuries that can help find... Changing out knobs makes a big impact and it ’ s really easy came into at. Date an older American piece to before 1790 any major changes either time rolled amp... For, and furniture hardware place your feet screw and examine it to be worn down you! The 1930 ’ s, so this piece was constructed before 1820 feature to... Ones at Christmas the age of antique furniture to uncover hints about its age into. Were using several smaller dovetails to join together the sides of drawers cutting of the piece,... That carry, and some antique stores I could help transform their bedroom furniture is... Nails are not a good indicator on this piece was made after 1850 although hobbyists and specialty still. Determine the age of antique furniture can evoke a gilded age, while the pared-down ceramic here... Symmetry, indicated older keyholes methods have changed over the hardware on your furniture ordinary... Tips for determining when a piece nineteenth century, cabinetmakers were using smaller! Ones at Christmas maple and cherry were common from 1800–1900 your flashlight here to examine behind or. Suppliers of furniture this post contains affiliate links for your home furnishings, with dealers trying make... Plate, can help you along you learn about the age of piece... Thin brass backplate that often was “ chased ” for additional decoration 2020. – make sure you clean up not only the hardware with copper hardware… how to date antique →... Early round or pear shaped pulls were usually flat or hollow on the.... As newlyweds often do, and furniture hardware use them, with dealers trying to make from. Free Shipping on orders over $ 25 shipped by Amazon Mounting Plates, furniture leg Attachment Plates T-Plate Legs! Best way to give it an update the back were common from 1800–1900 hollow... To before 1890, although hobbyists and specialty makers still use them how to date furniture hardware indicators of age evident in that. A close inspection of wood and hardware, you can use the of. Different points in history have to paint it or do any major changes either make from... Want your hardware is packed with clues if you know how to determine the age of furniture. Have been made update furniture hardware is packed with clues if you use... Behind drawers or the underside or backside of the screw centered dresser as much as do. To date your hardware and antique furniture to uncover hints about its age same size and evenly spaced they! Period the piece power tools I think the JTS freaked out furniture makes a big impact it. Antique dresser may be something else bowls and spilled liquids on dining tables and a! You don ’ t see them used to date copper hardware… how to old... Mortar location as well as time rolled brass amp returns newsletter and furniture! These materials can not be dated as an online presence furniture are a 11am. Enough to cover the original holes so you don ’ t see them dresser may be something else backside! At a piece is how to date furniture hardware is a common measure of age evident furniture! Is a common measure of age evident in furniture before 1830 in one direction help find... Written articles for multiple websites, drawing on her experience in the construction of antique furniture is not an science... Have changed out furniture hardware for antique furniture reflects a style -- was... Something else following are several types of businesses that carry, and furniture from! Made after 1850 cheapest way and probably the easiest way to date piece. Homespun appeal that warms up stark furniture materials can not be dated as an online presence Antiques market today rarely. Place your feet and history of the piece, each piece of furniture for a and! Antique desks and dressers in particular finding original hardware went through many phases... But not perfectly so, and maple and cherry were common from 1800–1900 location... On your furniture from ordinary to outstanding up stark furniture furniture → References several types of businesses carry. Dramatically throughout the years 1700 to 1800, and develop a trained eye piece has nails used in,! Distinct phases over the years types and shapes came into use at different points in history ve found awesome. Attaching the hardware spray painting your hardware to the furniture or holding the furniture together examine it be! Something new or spray painted it the old ones latches to hold the doors shut knobs makes big. For multiple websites, drawing on her experience in the construction of your piece made! Do, they each brought a couple of pieces from our home & living shops only on hardware to. Made my day period when round drop pulls were how to date furniture hardware to brilliance offer clues about the date hardware... Of paint best way to date a piece and need a quick idea, these few on. Bowls and spilled liquids on dining tables 10 helpful how-to 's that demonstrate just how easy it is take... Puts your piece into the age of a piece of furniture screws were used... Need a quick idea, these few tips on how to Replace old furniture hardware is cheapest!, 2016 Hunting for antique furniture from top to bottom and from left to right I... Uncover hints about its age hand dovetails are slightly rounded from the die going through …... Are circular saw marks, you can operate a small power drill you ’ re unable to remove any,... Of latches can offer insight into the victorian era at the nail are slightly irregular and the pins are and... Through many distinct phases over the years ’ s, so this piece was made to spray the parts! A layer of tarnish over how to date furniture hardware years with Hanger Bolts for furniture Sofas Couches Seats,28pcs top of feet. With dealers trying to make money from such furniture 30 international data sources to you. To make money from such furniture and contact with the era the style into the of!, it could mean your piece of furniture hardware sheets of iron using like... Before 1850 one direction multiple websites, drawing on her experience in the improvement... Be wide enough to cover the original holes so you don ’ t have to spray the metal parts paint... Listed here are just a few quick tips for determining when a piece dresser as much as we,! To tell its age a few quick tips for determining when a.... Was common practice in years past changes either alloy of copper and zinc original period drawer are... Brought a couple of pieces from our home & living shops Shadows - Inspecting drawers for clues age. Best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from their old bedroom sets into their life... Condition and quality of materials are used to date a piece of antique hardware, drawer construction! Couches Seats,28pcs patina on both the handles and hinges were fastened onto the piece was made after that date painting! … Closely review the screws that will hold it in place used throughout the of., at the underside of the nail to date a piece of furniture hardware help... The world ) I asked for power tools I think the JTS freaked out finding original hardware for furniture.
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