Dating Furniture by Its Screws and Joinery
Slotted screws, dovetails, tool marks: the clues that reveal a piece's true age — and unmask the fakes.
1 MIN · 1 OBJECT IDENTIFIEDA piece of furniture rarely lies to anyone who knows how to read its back. Screws, joinery, tool marks: here is how to gauge the real age of a piece, and how to spot an “antique” made last year.
The screw
An irregular slotted head and a coarse thread mean old (before about 1850, made by hand). A cruciform screw (Phillips) is twentieth-century, after 1930. A “Louis XV commode” fitted with cruciform screws is a fake or a heavy restoration.
The joinery
Irregular dovetails (cut by hand) mean old; even, identical ones (machine-cut) mean industrial. Pegged mortise-and-tenon joints mean quality.
Marks and patina
Plane and hand-saw marks, consistent oxidation, wear in the logical places (handles, feet). A patina that is too uniform is suspect.
A doubtful “period” piece? Photograph the underside and run it through Beyit.
One photo, every piece identified.
Your room, a shop window, an inspiration screenshot: send the photo, we find the pieces and their alternatives at every price.
On iPhone, the app does the same from your camera.
The pieces, at your budget.
Every piece mentioned, with its alternatives — from vintage to dupe.
Gallery
4 images
