Antique furniture often feels convincing at first glance. Wood shows wear, finishes appear softened by time, and construction looks solid and substantial, encouraging the belief that age and craftsmanship are self-evident. Online listings, estate descriptions, and inherited collections reinforce this confidence by using words like “handcrafted,” “primitive,” or “early” without explaining what those terms actually support. Over time, visual cues and repeated language replace verification. Understanding how antique furniture is truly evaluated matters because mistaking manufactured aging for genuine age can inflate expectations, undermine resale credibility, and introduce risk when claims are later reviewed.
DJR Real vs. Fake™ guides are designed to help readers understand what commonly goes wrong before money, reputation, or documentation is committed.
This guide explains how professionals think about antique furniture, focusing on:
Where public assumptions about handcrafted appearance break down
Why factory-aged furniture is often mistaken for true antiques
How construction methods reveal manufacturing period
Where uncertainty enters when surface wear is treated as proof
Inside this guide, readers will learn how to:
Separate appearance from manufacturing context
Recognize why wear, weight, and unevenness can mislead
Understand how joinery, fasteners, and tool marks affect conclusions
Identify when restraint is the correct decision
Avoid overvaluing furniture based on visual age alone
Decide when professional escalation may or may not make sense
This guide does not authenticate items or assign value.
Its purpose is to restore clarity, enforce restraint, and prevent irreversible mistakes at the decision stage.
Digital Download — PDF • 3 Pages • Instant Access
Antique furniture often feels convincing at first glance. Wood shows wear, finishes appear softened by time, and construction looks solid and substantial, encouraging the belief that age and craftsmanship are self-evident. Online listings, estate descriptions, and inherited collections reinforce this confidence by using words like “handcrafted,” “primitive,” or “early” without explaining what those terms actually support. Over time, visual cues and repeated language replace verification. Understanding how antique furniture is truly evaluated matters because mistaking manufactured aging for genuine age can inflate expectations, undermine resale credibility, and introduce risk when claims are later reviewed.
DJR Real vs. Fake™ guides are designed to help readers understand what commonly goes wrong before money, reputation, or documentation is committed.
This guide explains how professionals think about antique furniture, focusing on:
Where public assumptions about handcrafted appearance break down
Why factory-aged furniture is often mistaken for true antiques
How construction methods reveal manufacturing period
Where uncertainty enters when surface wear is treated as proof
Inside this guide, readers will learn how to:
Separate appearance from manufacturing context
Recognize why wear, weight, and unevenness can mislead
Understand how joinery, fasteners, and tool marks affect conclusions
Identify when restraint is the correct decision
Avoid overvaluing furniture based on visual age alone
Decide when professional escalation may or may not make sense
This guide does not authenticate items or assign value.
Its purpose is to restore clarity, enforce restraint, and prevent irreversible mistakes at the decision stage.
Digital Download — PDF • 3 Pages • Instant Access
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