Question 1

What is a bureau in furniture?

Accepted Answer

A bureau with respect to furniture is a chest of drawers or a writing desk having drawers and a slanted top. Both are used for storing items. A bureau with only drawers is usually placed in the bedroom while a bureau that is styled like a writing desk lives in an office or library. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage bureaus.

Question 2

Is vintage furniture worth it?

Accepted Answer

Many believe that vintage furniture is worth it. Vintage pieces can offer unparalleled craftsmanship and timeless beauty while making living spaces more unique. However, whether or not it’s worth investing in vintage furniture is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection. Find a range of vintage furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 3

How old is vintage furniture?

Accepted Answer

A piece of furniture must be at least 20 years old to be considered vintage.

Question 4

How do you identify vintage furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage furniture, you'll need to determine if its production year was 20 to 99 years ago. One way to do so is to research your piece. Start by finding maker's marks and looking them up on trusted online resources. Once you know the maker, you can then learn more about its history and offerings to get a rough idea of the approximate age of your item. Another option is to ask a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer to date your furniture. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of vintage furniture.

Question 5

How do I know if my Drexel furniture is vintage?

Accepted Answer

To know if your Drexel furniture is vintage, examine its serial number, which you will usually find in a hidden spot, such as beneath a tabletop or on the back or bottom of a casegood. By cross-referencing this number with information available on trusted online resources, you should be able to estimate the year of production. Drexel furniture produced more than 20 years ago would qualify as vintage. If you need assistance with dating your piece, seek the advice of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Drexel furniture.

Question 6

How do I identify vintage Thomasville furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify Thomasville furniture, look for the maker's mark, usually found in a discreet place, such as under a seat or tabletop or on the base or back of casegoods. Thomasville typically stamped pieces with its wordmark, which may read "Thomasville Chair Company" or "Thomasville Furniture," depending on the age of your piece. To find out more about your piece, you can conduct research using trustworthy online resources. If you need help with identification, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Explore a range of Thomasville furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 7

How do you identify vintage wicker furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage wicker furniture, first try looking for a maker's marking, usually found under tabletops or seats. If you find a marking, you can use trusted online resources to determine which company or artisan crafted your furniture. Then, you can read further to determine when they were active and producing pieces like yours. To be vintage, your furniture must be at least 20 but no more than 99 years old. If you don't see a marking or have trouble conducting research, consider having a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer assist you. Find an assortment of vintage wicker furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 8

How can I tell if bamboo furniture is vintage?

Accepted Answer

The first step in determining if an item is vintage bamboo is to first make sure it’s bamboo. Bamboo is inflexible, so if there are curved shapes in the design it is actually rattan, not bamboo. Your next step is to understand the style of the piece of furniture, the brand, and look for telltale signs that it is an authentic piece from that brand. Shop a range of antique and modern bamboo furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 9

How do I identify vintage patio furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage patio furniture, start with the maker's markings. You will usually find stamps, tags or labels with the maker's name in hidden places, such as under seats and tabletops. By comparing the marking with images shared by trusted online resources, you can learn who produced your patio furniture. Then, you can continue your research to find out more about the style name, year of production and other characteristics. Typically, patio furniture must be at least 20 years old and no more than 99 years old to be categorized as vintage. For help with the identification process, turn to a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Find a large collection of vintage patio furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 10

How do I identify vintage Lane furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage Lane furniture, examine your piece in search of its date code. Most Lane furniture displays a series of numbers that tells you when it was made when read in reverse. For example, a piece that reads “2971120” would be “02 11 79,” indicating that Lane crafted it on February 11, 1979. To be considered vintage, a Lane furnishing must be at least 20 years old. For further assistance with making an identification, use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, shop a wide variety of Lane furniture.

Question 11

How do I identify vintage Woodard patio furniture?

Accepted Answer

To identify vintage Woodard patio furniture, look for the maker's markings. On three-piece sets, you'll typically find paper labels that bear the brand name underneath the cushions. Sofa and chair frames may also feature welded-on metal labels bearing the brand name. For wrought iron pieces, check the frame for an embossed "Woodard" mark. Once you find the markings, you can use trusted online resources to determine a rough idea of the age of your piece. Anything produced more than 20 years ago, but less than a century ago, is vintage. Pieces more than 100 years old are antique, while those made within the last two decades are contemporary. If you're unable to locate any markings, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can assist you with identification and dating. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Woodard furniture.

Question 12

How do you find out how much vintage furniture is worth?

Accepted Answer

To find out how much vintage furniture is worth, look at the history of sale prices for comparable pieces on trusted online platforms. You can begin your research by determining the maker of your furniture. Since the condition of your furniture will also impact its value, you may also wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate it. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of vintage furniture.

Question 13

How can you tell if wrought iron furniture is vintage?

Accepted Answer

One way to tell if wrought iron furniture is vintage is to look for markings that indicate who produced it. Markings may appear on the underside, back and legs of wrought iron tables and chairs. You can then use trusted online resources to determine when the maker was active and producing pieces similar to yours. Consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer if you can't find markings or have difficulty dating a piece.

Walter Lamb’s adventurous works and those of other mid-century designers noted for their seminal outdoor furniture — a list that includes Hendrik Van Keppel and Taylor Green, Russell Woodard, Maurizio Tempestini for John B. Salterini and Richard Schultz for Knoll — is often found among the offerings of 1stDibs dealers.

In colder regions, wrought iron, which can be left outdoors all year round, was the material of choice in outdoor furniture designs for the Atomic Age.

Shop a variety of vintage wrought iron furniture on 1stDibs.

Question 14

What’s the difference between vintage and antique furniture?

Accepted Answer

The difference between vintage and antique furniture is that vintage furniture is at least 20 years old, while antiques must be at least 100 years old to be considered antique.

Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid-20th Century Italian Vintage Bureau Furniture

20th Century Venetian Lacquered Bureau

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Vintage Swedish Roll Top Bureau

Mid-20th Century French Industrial Vintage Bureau Furniture

Bureau Large French Desk Lamp

20th Century French French Provincial Vintage Bureau Furniture

French Provincial Walnut Bureau Bookcase

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Teak Bureau with Writing Desk

1950s English Georgian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Slim Antique Mahogany Bureau Bookcase

1950s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Antique Inlaid Marquetry Writing Bureau

1980s Vintage Bureau Furniture

Period Georgian Bureau Desk Mahogany

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Børge Mogensen Teak Danish Bureau

1950s British George III Vintage Bureau Furniture

Slim Antique Mahogany Bureau Bookcase

1950s English Georgian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Antique Burr Walnut Writing Bureau

1950s English Georgian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Slim Antique Mahogany Bureau Bookcase

1950s British Georgian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Slim Antique Mahogany Bureau Bookcase

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Walnut Bureau Bookcase, 20th Century

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Tall Danish Modern Teak Bureau

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Danish Modern Tall Teak Bureau

Mid-20th Century Italian Vintage Bureau Furniture

20th Century Walnut and Burl Bureau

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Oak Bureau/Vanity w/ Storage

1950s English Vintage Bureau Furniture

Laszlo Hoenig Bureau and Cocktail Cabinet

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

George Nelson Bureau No. 2

20th Century French Louis XVI Vintage Bureau Furniture

Louis XVI Style Bureau Plat

Mid-20th Century French Vintage Bureau Furniture

1950s French Mahogany Bureau Plat

20th Century French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Louis XVI style Bureau Plat

1970s American Vintage Bureau Furniture

Olive Ash Burl Bureau Plat

Mid-20th Century English Georgian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Antique Burr Walnut Writing Bureau

Mid-20th Century English Georgian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Antique Burr Walnut Writing Bureau

1950s British Georgian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Antique Georgian Style Bureau Bookcase

Mid-20th Century Vintage Bureau Furniture

French Louis XVI Style Ebonized Bureau Plat

20th Century French Louis XV Vintage Bureau Furniture

20th Century Maison Jansen Bureau Plat

20th Century French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Directoire-Style Mahogany Bureau Plat/Desk

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Kai Kristiansen bureaus for Magda

1950s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Metal Alloy Writing Desk/Bureau-Plat

1950s Italian Vintage Bureau Furniture

Louis XV Style Lacquered Bureau Plat

1940s French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid Century Stainless Steel Bureau Plat

20th Century French Vintage Bureau Furniture

19th C Louis XVI Bureau Plat

1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Bureau En Palissandre Des Années, 1960

20th Century French Louis XVI Vintage Bureau Furniture

Louis XVI style Chinoiserie Bureau Plat

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid-Century Teak Bureau Table

Mid-20th Century French Vintage Bureau Furniture

Mid-20th Century Ebonized Bureau Plat

20th Century French Louis XVI Vintage Bureau Furniture