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How to Date Old Chairs

You may want to know the date of an old, antique or vintage chair because you want to sell it. Alternatively you may just be curious about that old chair of Grandma's. Finding the date, or approximate date, of an old chair blends knowledge and guesswork. You may be lucky enough to find information or clues that date the chair precisely. More likely you will gather details about your chair, compare it to other chairs and make an educated guess.

Things You'll Need

Old chairs of your choice
Furniture history books

Instructions

- 1
  Look carefully for labels. Chair labels are usually on the underside of the seat but may be tucked away in other locations depending on the design of the chair. Labels may be of paper, fabric, metal or etched into the wood.
- 2
  Determine the chair's main material: oak, maple, pine, metal. If it is a wooden chair, examine it to see if it is solid wood or is veneered, with a thin layer of more expensive wood over a less-expensive wood substrate.
- 3
  Consider the overall shape. Decide if your old chair is mostly round or square in shape. Check the line of the arms and legs to see if they are curved or straight.
- 4
  Determine the type of decoration. The two most common types of furniture decoration are low relief, painted or inlaid; or high relief, carved or applied decorative details.
- 5
  Look at the construction. Older chairs use fitted and glued joints. Later chairs include nails and screws.
- 6
  Gather all your old chair information, and begin comparing it to antique and vintage chairs in books or online. Start with the definitive information you have, such as a company name found on a label or type of wood. Move from definitive information to less-specific details. Do not be discouraged if you do not find a chair exactly like your old chair. Look for as many similarities as possible to assist you in estimating the date of your old, antique or vintage chair.

Antiques