Dating Furniture Moldings

A most important feature for dating antique furniture

Perhaps the most important features to date antique furniture are its moldings. More correctly, they are often the factor which ultimately determines its originality and extent to which it has been restored or "improved" with a view to pre-dating or faking a later piece.

In the 18th century and before, the moldings used were based on architectural designs and had a boldness of shape and execution which 19th century furniture makers with machines to do the work failed to maintain.

The meanness and over-sophistication of the moldings on Victorian reproductions gives them away instantly, quite apart from considerations of colour and ageing.

Moldings of the oak period were bold and generally cut along the grain. It was in the walnut period that the cross-grained moldings in small pieces, which generally shrink slightly apart and yellow so beautifully with age, came into their own.

On the best walnut furnture the moldings were always cut across the grain, although those along the sides of a piece of furniture might be cut along the grain on lesser quality pieces to save time and money.

In mahogany furniture the applied moldings are nearly always cut along the grain. Integral moldings, of course, cut across.

Towards the end of the 18th century the moldings became tighter and under the influence of Hepplewhite and Sheraton designs were curtailed or dispensed with altogether. Carcase edges were flat veneered, as were projecting edges. In the sketch illustrations I have shown a few of the principal types.

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