How Can I Identify If A Chair Is Antique?

The first and most obvious question to ask is 'is the chair old?'.  The more you look at real antiques, the easier it is to distinguish old and new.  But there are general things anyone can look for which will provide a guide to whether the chair is indeed old.  These include whether the chair is made from materials not usually used in modern production and evidence of hand crafting or decoration.  If you can recognise it, styling specific to a particular design era or historical period, such as Art Deco or Queen Anne, is a great guideline.

The chair may be old but that doesn't necessarily make it an antique.  Other factors such as quality of workmanship, artistic beauty and the general regard in which its era of origin is held will also come into play.  

Beware of reproductions.  In general, if the chair looks new it probably is.  So look for signs of wear and tear, although of course some fraudsters may have given their chair a going-over first to make it appear rather older than it is!   

If you think a chair may be antique, a reputable and knowledgeable antiques dealer should be able to confirm it.