Antique Dining Table: Identification And Value Guide

Dining room is indeed the ultimate space to gather, enjoy & celebrate with family & friends. And a nice touch from priceless antiques can definitely complete the décor. In fact, an antique dining table is one exclusive purchase to accommodate your indoor elegance.

Extensive range of designs from modern manufacturers may appear antique in the eyes of many. You ought to enlighten your knowledge on the topic to ensure a successful purchase. And our pros prepared a detailed guideline on identification for its valuation.

Common Dining Table Styles

Distinctive styles had been dominating the early centuries in terms of popularity. And you must keep the particular styles in mind to judge the authenticity. Designs were either large, solid, heavy or small, light, portable to meet the specs.

1. Antique Gate-Leg Table

The early dining table seems more like a revised version of classic drop-leaf tables. The sides remain attached to the supporting legs which were hinged right under the tabletop. And it initiated a gate-like swing to earn the household name. The process allowed immediate raising of the leaves to expand the table size. Round, oval or plain tabletop featured stretcher-connected turned or spiral legs.

2. Antique Butterfly Table

It’s more like a combination of a gate-leg table with a drop-leaf table to have certain characters.
However, the size measures noticeably smaller than standard gate-leg tables. Two prominent wing-shaped braces simply swing out to hold the drop leaves. It could accommodate only two to four people at once for a meal. And the compact size required minimal dining space.

3. Antique Hutch Table

The early form of the tilt-top table also goes by the name of chair-table in many regions. The design integrated a square-sized box-shaped base with a disproportioned large top. It was possible to swing the top back for locking it in an upright position. It would create a converted armchair to have a sizable back. Meanwhile, the chair base may hold a storage compartment called a hutch to give the name.

4. Antique Trestle Table

It’s one of the very first types of European dining tables that dates back to the middle age. It combined a top surface resting one two or even more trestles. The assembly actually consisted of vertical posts inserted right in the middle of the horizontal pieces. And the resultant shape resembled either T or V, close to a sawhorse. However, the simplicity adorned explicit ornate in the Renaissance period.

Antique Designs from Particular Periods

Apart from the styles, you must consider the manufacturing periods. In fact, the market price highly concerns production time to meet the standard. Therefore, keep in touch with the well-defined periods to relate antique dining table sets.

1. Federal-Style Dining Tables

The design dominated the 1800s with beautiful onboard details. And the table remains a great choice to fit historic home décor. It’s possible to check the style into a broader category like Chippendale, Sheraton & Hepplewhite. Heavy profile comes with identical ball & claw feet to contain stamp. Solid mahogany as well as cherry woods primarily made the common structures.

2. Queen Anne Dining Tables

Another style to dominate the early 1800s should comply with Queen Anne furniture. In fact, the period remains one major impactful timeline in furniture history. Beautifully crafted curved leg integrated padding for the legs. The mahogany, cherry, or oak construction often held matching chair sets. And the shape may cover rectangular, oval, square & scalloped appeal.

3. Victorian Era Dining Tables

Mid to late 1800s observed the rise of Victorian furniture styles with fancy details. Its elegant design featured either special carvings, or fine woods, or extravagant inlay. Wealthy people in the period were desperate to display the extent of their financial capability. That’s where an extensive range of taste entered the design. It counted sold mahogany, mahogany veneers & solid oak frames.

4. 20^th Century Reproduction

A good number of furniture manufacturers adopted antique designs in the 20^th century. And the age-old dining table designs are definitely vintage, if not antique for now. Also, extremely fine reproduction seems worth your consideration from different contexts. Some reputed brands like Pennsylvania House, Council Craftsman & Baker Furniture manufactured the reproductions.

Determine the Age of Antique Dining Table

Confirming the antique’s age is one essential prerequisite to check the piece’s authenticity. And particular styles from the definite period can get you an eye-watering amount on sale.

Meanwhile, you don’t want any bogus catalog to occupy the precious dining space. And you better start holding your absolute concentration on the following physical facts.

Hardware: You can start assessing the furniture piece using its joinery hardware. Screws had the preference from the 1800s to set the assembly. However, no two screws were similar in shape or appeal. And earlier designs relied on wooden pegs to hold everything together. Condition of the thread, length & width can certainly provide an approximate idea.

Refinish: Almost every vintage/classic/antique table should undergo at least one refinishing session. Modern refinish will lower the market price without leaving any chance of recovery. Pay attention to the crevices to detect sand marks. It particularly concerns decorative turnings as well as carvings. Even veneered tabletop wear-through on the edges.

Style: Europe holds an established tradition of recognizable styles from different regions. In addition, you’re to consider Chinese, Gothic & American styles for proper evaluation. Start comparing the different styles to determine the actual period for the table’s age. Tracing the manufacturer’s details can unveil further information on the intended design.

Saw Mark: Likewise, the commercial process of wood sawing has evolved through the years. Simply open the unfinished underside of the antique table. Closer inspection should reveal the saw marks. Familiar arc cuts from circular saw denote 19^th century or 20^th-century production. But an evenly spaced angular saw mark held 17^th/18^th-century designs.

Expert Tips on Antique’s Authenticity

Despite the desperate effort, precise modern-day reproductions can fool you. But the quick tricks can save the day to protect your investment.

1. Measure your available space in the dining room to save time on worthless units. Also, closely check the space arrangements with its decoration.
2. Confirm your requirements to save your wallet from wasteful investment. Whether you need the table or its full set should define the research.
3. Observe all the joining points closely to detect any irregularity in specs. Visible distortion is one standard signature to identify antique pieces.
4. Keep exploring the online/offline resources to sharpen your knowledge. Don’t initiate a pause or halt, even if you find the ultimate dining table.
5. Consult professionals to explore minor or special facts of a specific style. Send photographs with supporting details to ensure absolute antiquity.
6. Don’t forget to judge the current usability depending on the antique’s condition. Make sure to skip deteriorated or damaged pieces on purchase.
7. Attend online auctions as well as online antique shops to develop ideas. Checking different platforms can certainly polish your mind on its valuation.
8. Use all the available resources to trace back the origin as far as possible. Don’t hesitate to ask the community to confront the integrated details.

Antique Dining Table Valuation Guide

Aforementioned discussions should already make the primary approach clear from your side. Still, you may face trouble evaluating the exact market price to attend a bargain. Therefore, you must catch particular points to establish an approximate amount.

However, different markets are available to deal with antique furniture pieces. You shouldn’t expect the auction price to coincide with the nearby antique shop’s tag. And that’s where you’ll find it difficult to make both ends meet.

Not to mention, the actual price range for antique dining tables covers an enormous range. You can either purchase the entire dining table set or only the table. Materials, style, condition & usability directly influence the valuation.

Appointing appraisal remains the easiest way for beginners & intermediate collectors. Current pandemic managed to push the commercial service to start online services. And you can receive the results within 24 to 72 hours spending some mere bucks.

Where to Buy or Sell Antique Dining Tables?

Several international, as well as many regional websites, let you trade antique pieces. Coming to the dining table, the case actually imparts no difference. You’re to consider Etsy, Selling Antiques, 1st Dibs, eBay, Pamono, Vatican & even Amazon.

Meanwhile, you shouldn’t skip the impressive antique dining table collection of India Mart. Check the customer feedback as well as expert opinion on the site. Keep yourself engaged in nearby antique shops, garage sales & local dealers.

Final Words

An entire dining table set will cost you a significant fortune to meet your satisfaction. Direct splurging on a genuine, high-quality, adaptive antique requires in-depth understanding. You can’t expect to confirm maximum success on trade with ignorant facts. And that’s where the article should help you check the essential points closely.