Antique drawers show different finishes. In general, they are made with two or three types of wood, but you can find pieces with three or four. The different woods were used for different purposes. The primary wood was used on the most visible areas of the drawer, while the secondary or hidden surfaces were less noticeable. The back sides of the boards were not smoothed, which indicates a piece that is not an antique. In addition, it is common to find variations in sizes and shapes, a clue to its age.
Many antique drawers are made from different types of wood. The most common combination is mahogany, walnut, and cherry. This combination of woods means that the piece is likely to date to the 1880s or 1900s. This is a good indicator of the age of the piece. A chest of drawers can be very expensive, so it is essential to check for these differences. However, they should also be in good condition otherwise, you may end up paying for a reproduction.
If a chest of drawers is in good condition, it can be restored. There are some steps to follow if you want to make your antique drawer look as authentic as possible. First, you should determine the wood used. If it is made of wood, it is likely to be made of three types of wood. It is not a good idea to use the same type of wood on two different pieces. If the drawers are old, they will have less color variation.
The original finish on an antique drawer may not be consistent. In Fig. 5, the finished part of the drawer ends at the dovetail joint. In contrast, the side of the drawer is unfinished. The front of the drawer will show different woods, while the back and bottom of the drawer will have circular saw marks. These are important aspects to know if you want your antique to look authentic. If the drawer is not from the same time period as the chest of furniture, you might have to replace it.
If the drawer is not in good condition, it is most likely a reproduction. Reproductions are made to look older than they are, so they should show consistent signs of wear. The underside of a chair arm should not look worn as the other parts. And the runners of the drawer should be old and show signs of wear. This is an indication that the piece is an authentic antique. The underside of the arm should be slightly rough, while the hands should have some scratches or creases.
A good antique drawer will show varying levels of wear. It will be easy to tell if it is an imitation because it has been finished a few times. Moreover, it will be much cheaper. A reproduction will also be easier to find. An antique drawer will look older if it has a bow-fronted front. If it has a bow-fronted, it is likely a mahogany chest of draws.
Antique drawers have many other characteristics. The wood is not necessarily the same for every piece. Typically, they are made from three species of wood, and there is no correlation between the type and the age. This means that the drawer may be an imitation. The wood may have been glued together, and the drawer might have been refinished or repaired in the past. There are also variations in the design and style of the cabinet.
In general, antique drawers are harder to fake. The finish of the front side of an antique drawer is more likely to be authentic than its front, and the sides are more likely to be matched. Unlike a reproduction, the back of an antique chest of draw will have different levels of wear. This is another way to identify an antique chest of draws. Its finish will also tell you if the drawer was previously painted. It should be painted a bright color.
The type of wood used in an antique drawer is also an important factor to consider. In some cases, the wood used in an antique drawer may have three or even four different species. This is not to say that an antique drawer is made of only one species of wood. If it’s made of pine, for example, it will be less expensive than a similar piece made of hardwood. In general, the wood of an antique drawer will tell you if it was painted in a factory or by hand.
