When the time comes when a piece of antique furniture requires refurbishing, in order to maintain its authenticity during the period in which it was crafted, antique furniture hardware will also need to be used in order to maintain its intrinsic value. During the refinishing of a piece of furniture, typically, it is the finish that is upgraded by either painting or removing and applying new stains or finishes. When an item is refurbished, changes are made to the wood pieces, which may require a change in hardware.

Antique furniture, usually at least 100 years of age or older, is valued based on a number of factors such as its condition, rarity, age and utility. Although, regardless of how old a piece of furniture may be, it may just be old and not an antique if it has no redeeming qualities. However, a true antique can be denigrated in value and appeal if it is demeaned by replacing antique furniture hardware with obviously newer items.

For example, an older tallboy dresser, originally made with oak, handmade drawer pulls has them replaced during refinishing with ceramic clad pulls. The ceramics may be from the period but not used for this purpose and using fake antique furniture hardware can detract from the authenticity of the furniture, thereby reducing its value to a collector.

Difficult To Find Authentic Hardware

Due to the furniture’s age, it may be difficult to find exact replacements for antique furniture hardware, and many times that can be forgiven, even among some strict collectors. However, there are some pieces that will never be valuable without at least the hardware matching the period in which it was made. In these cases, it may be necessary to have the hardware specially made. There are companies that will custom design and make antique furniture hardware to match an original item.

Having antique furniture hardware individually made, usually by hand, is not cheap but when considering the price of a furniture item and how its value will fall if not done right, the price may be worth it. Door and drawer pulls are typically more important to match than hinges, as they are often hidden from view, but hinges should at least contain similar designs as on the original.

Some antique furniture hardware made of wood are easier to reproduce than those made of metal but a discriminating collector will be able to tell the difference. Other aspects of the piece will be more of a determining factor in a piece’s value, but trying to stay as close to the original antique furniture hardware will help maintain its collectable value.