Antique Hallway Table

You can identify an antique table in a number of ways. The first clue that a table is antique is the joinery. If a piece of furniture is dovetailed by hand, it only has a couple of dovetails, which are uneven. Also, antique tables are not defined by perfect symmetry. Lastly, antique tables were typically made of oak, mahogany, and walnut.

In addition to the joinery you can check the bottoms of the drawers and the backs of the cabinets. If they were made prior to 1850 then the wood will most likely be dimensioned by hand. It will be uneven to the touch. The secondary wood that receives the veneer will have been scraped smooth but drawer bottoms, backs and bottoms are often left less finished.

An antique rent table is a piece of furniture that landlords and tenants used to exchange rent. The rent money would be placed in one drawer, the table would rotate for the landlord to receive. It was considered polite and gentlemanly to pay rent this way. Shop a collection of antique rent tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

A rent table is a small circular or polygonal table with drawers. Rent tables frequently had drawers labeled for the days of the week, and English landlords in the 18th century often used them to collect rent. On 1stDibs, shop antique rent tables from some of the world’s top sellers.

To tell if a kitchen table is antique, look under the table and on the legs for a maker's mark. It may be carved, branded or stamped onto the surface or appear on a paper or metal label. Using the marking, you can consult trusted online resources to learn about the maker and view catalogues of their pieces, searching for tables similar to yours. If your kitchen table was produced at least 100 years ago, it is an antique. Keep in mind that not all antique furnishings have maker's markings. In the event that you're unable to locate a mark, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can evaluate your piece for you. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of tables.