Question 1

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 2

How old is vintage furniture?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 Furniture Shanghai

1970s Italian Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Large Rattan Mirror “Vivai del Sud” Series Shanghai, 1970

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Chinese Natural Viewing Stone Scholar Rock Old Shanghai collection

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Lovely Garden Viewing Stone Taihu Scholar Rock Old Shanghai collection

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Furniture Shanghai

20th Century Chinese Silver Serving Tray, Luen Hing, Shanghai, circa 1900

1970s Italian Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Large Shanghai mirror in rush with lion, Vivai del Sud Production, Italy 1970

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Old Black "Infinity" Taihu Scholar Rock Infinity Stone from Old Shanghai

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Old White "Infinity" Taihu Scholar Rock Infinity Stone from Old Shanghai

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Stunning Old White "Infinity" Stone Taihu Scholar Rock from Old Shanghai

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Lovely Tall Antique Infinity Stone Taihu Scholar Rock Old Shanghai Collection

20th Century Russian Vintage Furniture Shanghai

20th Century Russian Solid Silver Bogatyr Tea Glass Holder, Shanghai circa 1920

1970s Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Large Shanghai Bookshelf in Black Lacquered Bamboo and Wicker with Brass Details

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Lovely Tall Old Black "Infinity" Stone Taihu Scholar Rock from Old Shanghai

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Superb Tall Old Black "Infinity" Stone Taihu Scholar Rock from Old Shanghai

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Superb Tall Old Black "Infinity" Stone Taihu Scholar Rock from Old Shanghai

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Italian modern Wall or table pendulum clock by 555 Shanghai in wood glass, 1980s

Late 20th Century Spanish Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Oriental 1980s Chinese Elm Wood Bench from Beijing

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Furniture Shanghai

20TH Century Chinese 4 Panel Folding Screen Trademark Shanghai Lacquer Furniture

Late 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Vintage Boho Shanghai Weave Bug Box

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Italian Stilnovo Shanghai Chandelier, 24 Arm, 1960s

Late 20th Century Chinese Rustic Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Vintage Boho Shanghai Weave Deer and Baby

Mid-20th Century Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Shanghai Handicrafts Handwoven Wicker Zebra Storage Box

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Vintage Shanghai Chandelier in Brass and Black Painted Brass

20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Lovely Viewing Stone Taihu Scholar Rock Private Shanghai Collection

1940s American Vintage Furniture Shanghai

"The Lady from Shanghai" Original Photo from 1948 Film Noir

1970s Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Chinese Woven Reed Sculpture of a Camel from the Shanghai Collection

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Rare Stilnovo Midcentury Shanghai Twenty-Four-Arm Brass Italian Chandelier, 1960

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Rare Stilnovo Midcentury Shanghai Twenty-Four-Arm Brass Italian Chandelier, 1960

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Tall Old Black Veined "Infinity" Stone Taihu Scholar Rock Old Shanghai

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Stunning Old White "Infinity" Stone Taihu Scholar Rock from Old Shanghai

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Lovely Old White Infinity Stone Taihu Scholar Rock from Old Shanghai Collection

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Lovely Tall Old White Infinity Stone Taihu Scholar Rock Old Shanghai Collection

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Superb Tall Old Black "Infinity" Stone Taihu Scholar Rock from Old Shanghai

Mid-20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Lovely Tall Old White "Infinity" Stone Taihu Scholar Rock from Old Shanghai

20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Shanghai Trunk

1970s American Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Pair of Shanghai Consoles

20th Century American Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Shanghai’d Sailor

1950s Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Vintage Shanghai Carpet

20th Century Chinese Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Antique Nautical Lantern Marked Shanghai

1960s French Vintage Furniture Shanghai

Pair of Shanghai Side Tables

1970s Japanese Vintage Furniture Shanghai