Question 1

How do you identify 1930s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1930s furniture, first see if you can spot a maker's mark in hidden areas, such as the back, base, inside of drawers or under tabletops and seats. Trusted online resources can help you determine who produced your furniture based on these markings, and from there, you can research more to get a rough idea of how old your item is. A piece's characteristics can also be helpful when dating furniture. Many items made during the 1930s are examples of Art Deco furniture. Art Deco furniture is characterized by geometric patterns and luxurious materials, such as shagreen, marble, mother of pearl, mirrored glass, exotic animal hides and rare woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. A certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer can provide an expert opinion on when your piece was likely made. On 1stDibs, explore a range of 1930s furniture.

Question 2

What did brides wear in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

What brides wore in the 1930s varied. Some wore long flowing dresses made of satin or silk. Long sleeves were popular and designs often featured only minimal embellishments like appliqués and beading. Because many people faced difficult financial situations due to the Great Depression, brides also sometimes simply wore their best dresses on their wedding days. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage wedding dresses.

Question 3

Did they have record players in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

Yes, people had record players in the 1930s. In fact, record players began to become more common during the decade and continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Thomas Edison made the first phonograph record player in 1877. Shop a variety of record players on 1stDibs.

Question 4

What did phones look like in the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

In the 1930s, phones typically looked like rotary telephones. They had either a round or square base with a numbered dial that spun when you dialed and a handset receiver with both an earpiece and a mouthpiece. A cord connected the handset to the base. Find a variety of rotary phones on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What are some French furniture styles?

Accepted Answer

Some popular French furniture styles of the 19th century include Directoire, Empire and Restoration. The Regency style popular from 1715 to 1730 is also well known. Many styles share their names with the monarchs who ruled during the period. Examples include the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of French furniture.

Question 6

What is French furniture called?

Accepted Answer

French furniture is usually just called French furniture in English. In French, someone might say "les meubles français," which translates directly to "French furniture." However, there are names for furniture styles inspired by the furniture produced in France. French Provincial is the name for pieces made in or inspired by craftsmen from the Loire Valley or in Lyon. Furniture produced in this style often shows off scalloped carvings and curving cabriole legs. French royal furniture is the general term for furnishings made for the monarchs of France or inspired by these pieces. An example is Louis XVI furniture, which often includes clean lines and carved details such as scrolls and acanthus flourishes that were inspired by ancient Greece and Rome. Find a wide variety of French furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 7

How do you identify 1800s furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify 1800s furniture, first check to see if your piece bears any maker's marks. Should you locate any, researching them using trusted online resources can help you determine the maker and age of your furniture. To determine if unmarked pieces date back to the 19th century, look for tool marks and variations in their carvings and ornamentation. Since 19th-century furniture was handmade, you should expect to find these signs of hand craftsmanship. A piece that shows no marks or inconsistencies in details is likely a contemporary machine-made reproduction. Familiarizing yourself with the characteristics of Rococo, Chippendale, Gothic Revival, neoclassical and other 19th-century styles can also be helpful. If you struggle to make an identification, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a range of 19th-century furniture.

Question 8

What do you call furniture from the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Furniture from the 1960s is often called mid-century modern. This style emphasizes the importance of good design that looks attractive and performs its function well. Notable mid-century modern designers include Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 9

What is 1950s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

1950s furniture is called vintage furniture. Some pieces produced during this period may be considered mid-century modern based on their characteristics. Mid-century modern design refers to the variety of modernism that rose to prominence in the 1940s and ’50s. It displays many of the characteristics of the earlier versions of modernism, including simple forms and a focus on functionality. Other traits common in mid-century modern furniture include unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and mixed materials, emphasizing wood, wool, steel and plastic. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of 1950s furniture.

Question 10

What is 1970s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1970s furniture is called varies. Generally, you may see pieces produced during the decade classified as "vintage" or "retro" furniture. During the 1970s, some makers continued to produce furniture that boasted the characteristics of mid-century modern works. The disco era yielded furnishings with organic, often rounded shapes, unadorned silhouettes, clean lines and a mix of materials. The showy leather furniture of the 1970s, which was both sexy and comfortable, is seeing a resurgence in today’s homes. Shop a wide variety of vintage 1970s furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 11

What is ’70s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What ’70s furniture is called depends on its style. Generally, pieces from this decade can be called vintage furniture. However, pieces with certain stylistic characteristics have other names. For example, some 1970s furniture is mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, was developed in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of 1970s furniture.

Question 12

What is 1920s furniture called?

Accepted Answer

What 1920s furniture is called depends on its style. However, the most prominent design style of the decade was Art Deco. The term alone conjures visions of the Roaring Twenties, Machine Age metropolises, vast ocean liners, sleek typography and Prohibition-era hedonism. The iconic movement made an indelible mark on all fields of design throughout the 1920s and ’30s, celebrating society’s growing industrialization with refined elegance and stunning craftsmanship. Art Deco furniture often featured bold geometric lines, floral forms, shimmering mirrored finishes, sleek metal accents, and the use of expensive materials such as shagreen or marble as well as exotic woods such as mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Art Deco furniture.

Question 13

How do I know if my French furniture is provincial?

Accepted Answer

To know if your French furniture is provincial, examine its decorative flourishes. Provincial furniture often showed off a white painted finish with gold gilt accents. Many pieces feature carvings depicting mythological subjects or floral motifs. On 1stDibs, find a collection of expertly vetted French provincial furniture.

Question 14

What is 1960s-style furniture called?

Accepted Answer

Generally, 1960s-style furniture is called mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Some of the most notable furniture designers of the time include Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Hans J. Wegner. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 15

What is the 1950s furniture style called?

Accepted Answer

The best-known 1950s furniture style is called mid-century modern. Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three phrases that describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style emerged primarily in the years following World War II through creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Mid-century modern designers combined natural and human-made materials, such as teak, rosewood and oak woods as well as steel, fiberglass and molded plywood. Some well-known mid-century modern designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of mid-century modern furniture.

Question 16

What was the term in French furniture for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface?

Accepted Answer

In French, the term for a writing desk that often featured a drop-down writing surface is secretaire. This type of desk is called a secretary desk in English. Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments, which are called pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers, are revealed. On 1stDibs, shop antique secretary desks from some of the world's top sellers.

French Furniture 1930s

Vintage 1920s French Empire Table Lamps

Pair 1930’s Empire Cut Crystal Table Lamps

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Glass

Set of 6 French Smoky Gray Liqueur Glasses, 1930 s

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Table Mirrors

Round American 1930 s Burlwood Vanity Table Mirror

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps

Art Deco Floor Lamp in Walnut Wood, with Fine Brass Details, France 1930 s

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Stools

Darkened Oak Four Legged Upholstered Art Deco Stool - France 1930 s

Vintage 1930s French Industrial Table Lamps

French Designer, Table Lamps, Metal, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Serving Bowls

Art Deco Bonbonnière in Solid Walnut Wood, France 1930’s

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs

French Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Fabric, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Wall Lights and Sconces

1930 s French Bagues Gold Leaf Two Lights Birds Sconces

Vintage 1930s French Vases

A White Round Vase by Félix Gète France 1930 s

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Wall Lights and Sconces

1930 s French Bagues Gilt Metal Sconces with Crystal Leaves

Vintage 1930s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants

Antique French Oversized Two-Level 12-Light Chandelier circa 1930 s

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Sideboards

1930s French Art Deco Sideboard

Vintage 1930s French Wall Lights and Sconces

French Designer, Wall Light, Copper, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Wall Lights and Sconces

1930 s French 5 Lights Tulips Sconces with Amethyst Crystals

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

French 1930s Modernist Chandelier

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Wall Lights and Sconces

Pair 1930 s French Bagues Large Sconces with Crystal Body

Vintage 1920s French French Provincial Wall Lights and Sconces

Pair 1930 s French Gilt Bronze Lire Sconces with Crystals

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

French Designer, Table Lamp, Glass, Brass, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Dining Room Tables

French Modernist Sculptural Oak Table, 1930s

Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Art Deco French 1930 s Bakelite Clock by Blangy

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Wall Lights and Sconces

1930 s French Large Bagues Gilt Metal 3 Lights Sconces

Vintage 1930s French Dining Room Chairs

1930 s French Farmhouse Perforated Seat Dining Chairs - Set Of Five

Mid-20th Century French Expressionist Abstract Sculptures

Abstract Bronze Sculpture, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French French Provincial Wall Lights and Sconces

Pair 1930’s Bagues one light sconces silver leaf

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Buffets

French Two-Tone Art Deco Buffet, c. 1930 s

Vintage 1930s French Baroque Wall Lights and Sconces

1930’s French Plaster Shell Sconces with 2 interior light

Vintage 1930s American Louis XV Credenzas

Romweber French Louis XV Flame Mahogany Dresser With Carved Swan Heads, 1930s

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Console Tables

Black Lacquered Wrought Iron French 1930 s Art Deco Console Table with Marble

20th Century British Floor Lamps

ANTIQUE 1930 S FRENCH POLiSHED WALNUT STANDARD FLOOR LAMP

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Glass

Baccarat, France. Ten facet-cut Art Deco glasses. Art glass, 1930 / 40 s

Vintage 1930s French Industrial Cabinets

French Workshop Drawers, Circa 1930s

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

French Designer, Table Lamp, Metal, Rattan, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French Dining Room Chairs

1930 s French Farmhouse Flat Cane Pattern Seat Dining Chairs - Pair

Vintage 1930s French Dining Room Chairs

1930 s French Farmhouse Perforated Seat Dining Chairs - Set Of Eight

Vintage 1930s French Dining Room Chairs

1930 s French Farmhouse Dark Oak Dining Chairs - Set Of Eight

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Glass

Set of 6 Vintage Engraved Champagne Coupes, France 1930 s

Vintage 1930s French Empire Chandeliers and Pendants

1930 s French Empire Silver Plated Chandelier with 6 lights

Vintage 1930s French Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

French Designer, Table Lamp, Chrome, Glass, France, 1930s

Vintage 1930s French Table Lamps