How to Identify Antique Wood

Study various kinds of antique wood and manufacturers online before shopping at antique stores. Determine what kind of wood you want, such as mahogany, burl walnut, circassian walnut, fire side walnut, and rosewood. Also, look at pictures of furniture from different time periods like the 16th century to the 18th century.

Check to see if the wood is veneered. Wood is veneered when expensive wood is glued over more valuable wood. Determine veneering by looking closely to the edges of the wood to make it seamless. If the wood is not seamless, then it's most likely veneered. This is easy to determine in most 17th century wood as veneering then was often hand-cut and uneven (See References).

Look for any signs of aging, such as shrinkage or cracks. Newer cheap wood will most likely not have such wear and tear. Also, look for chipping in the polishing of the finish. Feel the wood to see if you can tell if it has been touched up or refinished. Antique wood can degrade in value if it's been refinished with new wood or paint.

Identify the wood by its period by researching and having pictures of various period pieces. Gothic furniture from 1558 to 1625 often accentuated height and presence. American colonial furniture was often left unfinished or treated, and art nouveau from 1880 to 1920 was often created with floral trimming and decorations with a mixture of linear forms (See References).

Determine if the wood is antique by its price. Use an antique pricing guide to help you determine if the wood is a bargain or rip-off (See Resources). Antique sellers are most likely using the same type of pricing guide so this is also beneficial to determine if the wood is in fact antique.