Any piece on casters (wheels) is
typically pre-1930s
. If you have a dresser with a mirror attached on a harp, your piece was made around the turn of the 20th century.
What years were wooden casters used on furniture?
Wood casters held by iron plates might indicate the Georgian Period from
1720 to 1760
. Determine if the casters are made from cast iron instead of wood. This would indicate a later Georgian period, from 1760 to 1770.
When did they stop putting wooden wheels on furniture?
Even though wheels (and therefore casters) have been around for quite a while, they weren’t officially used to move furniture until the
1870s
.
When were castors first used on furniture?
Even though wheels (and therefore casters) have been around for quite a while, they weren’t officially used to move furniture until the
1870s
. David A Fisher filed the first patent for a caster in 1876.
When were wooden wheels used?
Even though wheels (and therefore casters) have been around for quite a while, they weren’t officially used to move furniture until the
1870s
. David A Fisher filed the first patent for a caster in 1876.
How old is a dresser with wheels?
Any piece on casters (wheels) is
typically pre-1930s
. If you have a dresser with a mirror attached on a harp, your piece was made around the turn of the 20th century. If you have a set with a separate mirror that hangs on the wall above the dresser, you can date that to the 1940s or later.
How do you remove old casters from furniture?
Twist the caster housing — or the base of the stem if the caster swivels — to pop a glue bond or loosen a serrated stem. Twist the stem base with pliers if you can’t budge it with your fingers. Pull the stem straight out when the twisting loosens it enough for removal.
What are the different eras of furniture?
- Early American (1640 to 1700) …
- Pennsylvania Dutch (1720 to 1830) …
- Federal (1780 to 1820) …
- Sheraton (1780 to 1820) …
- American Empire (1800 to 1840) …
- Victorian (1840 to 1910) …
- Art Nouveau (1890 to 1910) …
- Traditional Revival (1920 to 1950)
How can you tell how old a dresser is?
Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece. If the wood shows circular or arc-shaped marks, it was cut by a circular saw, not in use until about
1860
.
What age is vintage furniture?
Most antique dealers consider an item to be vintage if it is
at least 40 years old
.
How do I identify an antique?
An antique is a
piece of furniture with special value due its age
, especially one with fine artistry or craftmanship. Many antique stores will say that items 50 years or older are considered antique, while antique dealers might define it as 150 years or older.
How do I identify my furniture maker?
A telltale sign of the furniture’s maker is
a manufacturing tag, label or stamp bearing the name of the creator
. Such a marking or label may have been placed inside a drawer on an old dresser, on the back of a chest of drawers, or on the underside of a chair or sofa seat.
What is the board on the back of a dresser called?
What’s
MDF Board
? Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a waste-wood product that’s made with fine wood fiber. It’s often used in furniture, shelving, cabinetry and moulding.
What are antique casters made of?
Furniture casters are wheels that attach to the leg of a piece of furniture, allowing it to roll. Stem casters mount inside furniture legs, while cup casters support the leg inside a sturdily constructed cup. Made from
solid brass with wheels available in brass, wood, rubber or porcelain
.
How do I know if my antique furniture is valuable?
- Find out the composition of the furniture. …
- Make a note of any damage, including scratches, dents, chips, cracks, etc.
- Take clear, well-lit photographs from all angles.
- Search the piece for any labels or maker’s marks.
