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"check the drawers" to estimate age

For collectors of antique dressers or tables, there's a simple way to estimate the item's age: "Check the drawers." In this article from Collectors-news.com, Fred Taylor discussses the "built-in timeline" that drawers provide. He traces the identifying characteristics of drawers, from the "nailed rabbet" technique of the 16th and 17th century through the machine-made joints of the last 100 years. By examining a piece of furniture's drawers, even amateurs can make a good estimate as to the date of the the item's construction, which is an important first step in an appraisal.

Wed, 17 Nov 1999 04:57:42 -0800