Buying antique furniture can be a rewarding endeavor but it is sometimes difficult to choose the right one. Much more, you need to know the authenticity of the furniture piece before actually buying it. Here are some tips that might help you in finding the right antique furniture piece.

1. Check the furniture piece well. You need to see the entire piece from all sides and angles. You may even have to check the bottom of the furniture piece to get a real picture on the condition of the antique piece. Examine the furniture piece under a good light or have the piece moved outside so you can clearly see the piece.

2. Look for signs that the furniture piece is old. Check the furniture for signs of wear generated over a period of time. If the piece is authentic, it should not be hard to see dirt in hard-to-reach places. You may also check for wear around the knobs due to constant use and you may check the drawers for wear due to friction. Without these signs, the furniture piece might not be old or might have been recently refinished. Refinished furniture pieces might not be that bad and should cost a little less. If you prefer to buy refinished pieces, check for poor refinishing work.

3. Choose a solid furniture piece. You can check the furniture pieces if it is solid by sitting on it, shaking it or pushing it back and forth. With this, you may be able to see if the piece does not have any loose parts or if it does not wobble when shaken.

4. Examine the finish of the furniture piece. The piece should have more or less a uniform finish and that the only variances in color that you may see are the portions where it was caused by exposure to environmental elements. Furniture pieces should not have any burn marks because it is very hard to remove but ordinary stains and blemishes should be acceptable.

5. Check the furniture piece for any missing parts. Some antique furniture pieces have some parts missing like carvings or decorative designs. One way to identify furniture pieces with missing parts is by looking for sections with different color finishes which is possibly caused by sloppy work.

6. Check if the parts are original. You need to determine if the knobs, drawer pulls, hinges and screws are from the piece itself or just a replacement of the original one. Although it is not generally bad to replace the original parts especially if already worn out, but the new parts should somehow blend with the piece, which in the overall will not affect the quality of the furniture piece.

7. Ask the dealers if they can guarantee its authenticity. If so, you should have a certificate or warranty for it or just simply have it written on the receipt. Ask also if there are any repairs made on the furniture piece and why. Try to check if the dealer is telling the truth by asking them if the furniture piece is a good buy. If he tries to avoid your eyes or is offended by the question, it might be that the furniture piece might not be that good as you think it is.

8. If you are not certain on an expensive antique furniture piece, ask a friend that may have experience in buying an antique or seek professional help. They can advise you on the authenticity of the antique furniture piece and if the buy is worth your time and money.