Evaluating Later Period and Antique Furniture
If you are planning on buying older furniture, here are some things to take into consideration. 
An old piece of furniture is not considered a true antique unless it is over 100 years old. Older items that have not yet reached the century mark are referred to as later period. While later period is a relative term, we use it generally to refer to furniture dated within the first half of the twentieth century. 
 
Frequently the leaves of older tables will have a different appearance than the table top. This is because the table top has gone through decades of cleaning, polishing and exposure to the sun's UV rays. Antique hunters relish the changed appearance, called the patina. They feel that the furniture's new color is richer and more mellow and beautiful. Tampering with this aged affect will, in almost all cases, reduce the value of the table. It is generally better to restore the finish and patina using a product like Briwax than to strip and refinish an antique or later period piece. 
 
Antiques and later period furniture are seldom found in new or showroom condition. Most pieces have been moved many times since they were manufactured and that results in nicks, rubs, mars and scratches. These imperfections add character and value to your piece and are seldom distracting to the beauty that old furniture add to your room. By using a quality product like Briwax, most of these imperfections can be satisfactorily camouflaged. Add your vase, lamps, pictures, dishes, dollies, and other nick-knacks and those imperfections become inconsequential to the overall decor. If you are new to older furniture, try it. You will find a great deal of pleasure in the enjoyment an older piece of furniture will bring to you, your family, and friends. 
 
Valuable furniture is usually handmade, or "one off." Through the early 19th century, there were no mass production factories knocking out identical pieces of furniture. Each piece was shaped with hand tools, and each piece is, as a result, different and imperfect. Antique hunters look for ripples and uneven markings that indicate handmade items. 
 
Veneer is not necessarily a bad thing. Veneer has been in use for hundreds of years in Europe. Older veneers are much thicker than veneers of today. When evaluating older furniture, look for thick veneer with a wood subsurface. Unlike new furniture were the warping, cracking, and twisting of the subsurface is a concern, the wood in older furniture has dried for decades and been through many heating and cooling cycles. Any effects of the subsurface material on the veneer will be apparent in the present condition of the piece. 
 
Whether buying an antique or a later period piece, a manufacturer's or maker's mark is an excellent reference point for researching the age, quality and value of the item. Generally speaking, you will always pay a premium for a piece with a manufacturer's mark as compared to a similar piece without one. 
 
When repairing a piece, try to stay with its original colors and hardware. Painting over or sanding off the old finish and staining with a new color is absolutely certain to destroy hidden value in an antique. If you have a question about the potential value of your piece, have it appraised before you begin extensive repairs, refinishing or modifications. 
 
Many antique and later period pieces from Europe have missing keys, locks, latches or other hardware. There are many antique dealers who specialize in antique keys and hardware. If you want to replace the hardware, it is generally not too hard to find period hardware to complement your piece. One source is Robinsons Antiques who specialize in original antique hardware from 1650-1925 and mirror restoration and resilvering. 
 
Always consider the age, quality, and condition of a piece when determining it's value. However, don't overlook your gut instinct. If a piece grabs you as something you would like to own, the satisfaction of ownership can over shadow other considerations.