From how to style your antique dining table in your modern home, to our recent guide to antique dining tables, we often discuss antique dining tables in our period furniture blog. Now, we focus on where you can find authentic period pieces, and what you should look for when you find one.
You can find authentic antique dining tables through various sources, including online marketplaces, reputable antique dealers, specialised auction houses, and antiques centres.
Online marketplaces
Online marketplaces like eBay and Etsy can be great resources, but they do require careful authentication.
eBay – this is a massive, worldwide marketplace where you can find a wide variety of used and antique furniture from individual sellers and smaller dealers. When shopping here, exercise caution and scrutinise listings for details on origin and construction, and review seller ratings. Never be afraid to ask questions and beware if the seller is reluctant to provide photos on request.
While many items on eBay have a fixed (Buy it Now) price, others have an auction-style listing which require interested parties to leave a bid. Be aware that a winning bid on eBay is the same as a winning bid at a live auction – it is a binding contract, so only bid when you are genuinely interested in buying in the event of you being the highest bidder.
Etsy – although generally known for unique handmade and vintage items, Etsy does have a furniture section that can include authentic antique tables sold by independent dealers.
Online auction houses
For unique or high-value pieces, auctions are an excellent source. Major auction houses often hold specialised sales for antique furniture, and these will accept online bidding. A reputable auction house will advertise an event extensively and they will also accept telephone bids in your absence. However, sellers and buyers are liable to a commission charge for every sale or purchase made and buyers should budget for this. The commission percentage varies but can be anything between 10% and 25% of the final hammer price.
Local auction rooms
Many smaller, local auction rooms will list their inventory online and they will also allow for remote bidding. As with online auctions, sales and purchases made through local auction houses are also liable for commission fees.
Reputable online retailers
Large antique centres occupy physical locations that are home to many individual stalls or dealers under one roof. Some of these also have online platforms which can connect buyers who are unable to visit in person, to a wide network of vetted and reputable antiques dealers. Hemswell Antique Centres is one such example and we are the largest antiques centre in Europe.
Home to over 400 dealers, housed in four expansive buildings on the site of the old RAF Hemswell, Hemswell Antique Centres have a strong online presence with a website showcasing in excess of 9,000 items online, including an extensive range of period dining tables.
How to spot an authentic antique dining table
Once you have found your antique dining table, there are many clues that point to the age of a piece but, as a general rule of thumb, look at how the piece has been constructed:
Joinery – irregular dovetail joints that have been hand-cut are typical of pre-1895 craftmanship. Machine-cut joints are typical of 20th century pieces and are generally perfectly symmetrical.
Materials - genuine antiques are made of solid wood (mahogany, oak, or cherry) rather than particle board or plywood with veneer. You may also see different types of wood used for secondary parts, as craftsmen used all available materials.
Hardware – antique furniture makers used wooden pegs, dowels, or early, primitive screws with off-centre slots. The presence of modern screws and metal ball-bearing drawer slides would indicate a more recent piece.
In addition to construction clues, look for signs of age:
Patina - authentic antiques have a natural finish that develops over time, which can include darkened areas or a soft, worn look in places that were frequently touched. Read everything you need to know about patina.
Wear and tear - hand-made pieces look just that, handmade! Look for variations in size, tool marks, and uneven finishes, especially underneath the table surface.
Finally, look for the presence of a maker’s mark, the equivalent to an artist’s signature on a painting. There are various formats for makers’ marks, including stamps, plaques, and carved marks. Our guide to 20th century furniture makers’ marks can help with this.
Authentic antique dining tables from Hemswell Antique Centres
A day out to our centres, close to the historic cathedral city of Lincoln, won’t disappoint. You will have the freedom to browse our period dining tables at your leisure, and the opportunity to examine pieces close-up. Our wonderful dealers, many of whom are accredited by professional bodies such as LAPADA, have the finest examples of every type of dining table, from antique oak dining tables to antique French dining tables. For commercial buyers unable to visit us in person, we offer virtual tours with our Managing Director, where you will be accompanied around the centre to view items of interest in detail, from the comfort of your own home.
To find out more call us today on 01427 668389.
