My Home Furniture - Project Cabinet.

I have taken a lot on recently, but I could not leave this beautiful cabinet to fall into disrepair. I bought it from a lovely lady in Leicestershire who was clearing out her mother's home after years of hoarding, and what a gem! 

Unfortunately there does not appear to be a furniture stamp inside or out, so I cannot give the cabinet a correct date or correct style, however there are several ways you can spot an antique. 

The first giveaway is the joinery; machine-cut furniture wasn't made until about 1860. If the piece has drawers, look closely at the front and back of the drawer are fastened. If a joint was dovetailed by hand, it has only a few dovetails, and they aren't exactly even; if it has closely spaced, precisely cut dovetails, it was machine-cut. 

Exact symmetry is another sign that the piece was machine-made.

The finish on the wood can also date the piece. Until Victorian times, shellac was the only clear surface finish; lacquer and varnish were not developed until the mid-1800s.

Not matter if it is not an antique just remember, if you like it, the style is right. So with that in mind I would have given the cabinet a quick update by installing new door knobs and hinges but it has been wonderfully preserved I will only be cleaning the wood and re painting the shellac.... so watch this space to see the completed project!