Before You Buy: How to Choose Antique Furniture That Hasn’t Been

dating antiques through dovetails

Married or Altered

In the world of antiques, not everything is as it seems. A piece may look beautiful at first glance—but upon closer inspection, it may have been "married" (assembled from parts of different pieces), heavily altered, or even mass-produced to mimic authenticity.

For interior designers sourcing meaningful, investment-worthy furniture for clients, knowing how to spot quality is essential. After all, your work is only as strong as the pieces that hold the story.

What Does "Married" Mean in Antiques?

A "married" piece refers to furniture that’s been constructed from multiple unrelated parts. For example, a dresser top may have been placed on an unrelated base, or a pine chest may have new drawers added from a later period. The result? Something that looks old but lacks integrity—and long-term value.

While these pieces can still be beautiful and functional, they don’t carry the historical significance or investment potential of a true, untouched antique.

How to Spot an Honest Antique

Here’s what to look for when you’re examining a piece:

• Dovetail Joinery: Earlier furniture (pre-1860s) often features hand-cut dovetails, which are larger and more irregular. Perfect, tiny dovetails are typically machine-made and came later.

• Underside and Back Panels: Turn furniture over. The underside should be as thoughtfully constructed as the top—look for hand-planed wood, oxidation, and saw marks from a hand saw. Screws should be slotted, not Phillips-head.

• Consistent Wood Type: Married pieces often use multiple woods. A mahogany top with poplar drawers or a pine base may indicate a combination.

• Wear Patterns: Genuine antiques show wear in expected places—drawer runners, footrests, edges. If the wear is oddly uniform or in strange places, it may be artificially aged.

• Hardware: Original hardware will usually be oxidized, slightly uneven, and matched to the time period. Bright, shiny brass or perfectly matched screws are red flags.

What to Avoid (or Approach with Caution)

• Over-Restored Pieces: If the wood looks too perfect or too shiny, it may have been sanded down or refinished beyond recognition. This can destroy patina and reduce value.

• Modern Fasteners: Look underneath and inside—modern nails, staples, or power tool marks often mean the piece is newer or has been heavily repaired.

• Rebuilt Drawers or Bases: A common "marriage" involves replacing a broken chest base or rebuilding drawers with plywood. These fixes reduce value.

• Painted Reproductions: Be careful with painted furniture from the 1990s or early 2000s posing as primitive antiques. Look for signs of real age—crackling, depth of pigment, and consistent finish throughout.

Where to Shop for Authentic, Unaltered Antiques

• Trusted Dealers: Build relationships with dealers who specialize in early American, Shaker, or primitive furniture. A good dealer will be transparent about restorations and provenance.

• Auction Houses: Reputable auctions often list details about restoration and marriage. Look for local and regional houses with expertise in historic pieces.

• Estate Sales in Historic Homes: These often yield untouched treasures, especially if the family has held onto pieces for generations.

• Antique Shows: Ask questions. Lift drawers. Turn tables over. Trust your hands as much as your eyes.

Why It Matters to Interior Designers

Your clients trust you to curate more than beauty—they’re asking for depth, history, and meaning. When you bring an untouched antique into their space, you're introducing a piece that has lived a life.

Choosing furniture with honest construction and age ensures that the piece will not only serve the home but elevate it. It becomes a talking point, a cornerstone, a thread in the story of the home.

And that’s what storied interiors are made of.

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