One of the attractions of antique oak furniture is that it is still around 400 years after being produced. The oak tree, often the symbol of strength and durability, gained its reputation as one of the most long-lasting natural materials, long before most people thought about building things to last.

The first furniture builders were drawn to oak due to its being readily available and the fact that since it is one of the hardwoods, was known to last. Today’s antique oak furniture stands testament to the early furniture makers, who were consigned to create their products for the wealthy as a status symbol for their importance and their station is life. As the use of furniture gained popularity in the 17th and 18th century, furniture was often added to a family’s home to celebrate a life-changing experience such as marriage or the birth of a child.

Many collectors believe that by researching a piece of antique oak furniture a family’s history can be learned. Many times the initials of the owner were carved or burned into a new item, denoting ownership and as ownership changed, the initials were changed. Often the initials of the furniture maker were also carved into the piece.

Different Species For Different Uses

The red oak is the species traditionally used for furniture and flooring, even today’s laminate wood flooring uses red oak for its durability and lasting beauty. Centuries of dusting and polishing antique oak furniture leaves it with a brilliant sheen as well as a soft feel. Barrel furniture is popular in some areas, and cork oak has been used to make wine and spirits barrels. They are usually charred before use, which is what gives their contents its unique flavors.

When people think about antique oak furniture, wine stoppers seldom come up. The cork oak, found mainly in the Mediterranean Sea region, provides the majority of cork stoppers for the world. A renewable resource some of the corks, made from the bark of the tree, have been around for centuries and are prized by collectors.

When looking for antique oak furniture there is more to determining a piece’s value than the fact it is made out of oak. The craftsmanship involved in making it, as well as its function are all looked at. Additionally, it could take years for an apprentice furniture builder to earn the right to be able to go off on his or her own. When people look at antique oak furniture they also look to see if it was built by a master furniture maker or a new one.