Cut Antique
Dovetails – A Clue for Dating Antiques
As the dovetail joint evolved through the last one hundred thirty years, it becomes a clue for the age and authenticity of antique furniture. The type of dovetailed joint, especially in drawers, reveals much about furniture construction and dating. With just a little study of these examples, it is easy to spot true hand made construction vs. machine made furniture.
The name “dovetail” comes from the appearance of the joint, resembling the triangle shape of a bird’s tail. The earliest examples are from furniture placed with mummies in Egypt thousands of years ago, and also in the burials of ancient Chinese emperors.
For thousands of years, a dovetail joint was created by a skilled cabinetmaker using small, precision saws and wood chisels. Tiny angled saw cuts were followed by careful cutting by a sharpened chisel on both sides to avoid splintering. One board had tiny “tails,” and the other had the larger “pins,” carefully measured to match and fit together exactly. When the joint is expertly executed, it is a thing of beauty, and a secure joining of two boards that can last for centuries. A little glue cements the connection, and a good dovetail joint has great strength and durability.
Hand cut dovetails were used to hold the sides of drawers together, but also to join the structural members of case furniture. Hand made screws and nails were relatively expensive and could rust and expand, sometimes cracking the wood they secured. Glues of the period sometimes weakened. Dovetails have great strength, holding pieces of wood in perfect alignment over long periods of time. Simpler country furniture often had larger dovetails, or even a single tail and pin.
Genuine hand-made dovetails like these were the standard of good furniture craftsmanship until about 1870, when American ingenuity developed the “pin and cove” or round style dovetail, often seen on late Victorian and Eastlake furniture. These were cut with a jig or pattern, and an apprentice could create a very well fitting and attractive joint. Popular here into the 1890′s, these joints never gained acceptance outside of the U.S. and Canada. European cabinetmakers continued their hand-cut dovetails well into the 1900′s.
The next technological development in joinery was again American. In the 1890′s, American furniture began to be mass produced, with interchangeable parts and speedy production for the growing and affluent middle class. The slow and laborious crafting and carving, one piece at a time, by a master woodworker was not suited to the new mass market. Steam power, transferred by pulleys and leather belts, operated saws, carving machines and routers that could copy an original pattern exactly.
These routers were ancestors of the electric precision tools of today, and could be used to rapidly cut a machined dovetail joint. Each cut is exactly like the others, each “tail” and “pin” are exactly matched. A close inspection shows no irregular saw cuts or variation from a skilled craftsman, but rather a precise and identical manufactured machined joint. These machine-cut dovetails are as strong and long lasting as the hand-made joints, and became the standard of better American furniture ever since the late 1890′s. Other drawer joints include sliding keyhole or French dovetails that were have been used since the 1890′s.
European cabinetmakers continued to produce hand-cut dovetails through the 1930′s. Electric power tools, like routers and various types of saws were put into widespread use after World War II in the 1940′s. There was resistance – in England, carpenters unions went on strike over the use of electric saws, fearing the end of their livelihoods. Nevertheless, by the 1950′s, power tools were used in almost all furniture construction across Great Britain.
The use of hand tools and hand-cut dovetails is now the province of hobbyists and a few small shops creating authentic replicas of antique furniture. This overview of the dovetailing techniques should easily help identification and dating of most furniture from the last 200 years.
Ken Melchert is a co-owner of The Harp Gallery, a renowned antique furniture gallery located in Appleton, WI. Ken and his wife Rebecca have been selling and restoring superior antique furniture for over 20 years. Harp Gallery Antique Furniture
About the Author
How to cut antique oak barn beams containing nails 1 of 2
|
|
ANTIQUE 6.06ct OLD CUT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING- PLATINUM $98,006.26 |
|
|
7.65ct Antique European Round Cut Diamond Ring $94,995.00 |
|
|
Killer Antique Old European Cut 7.02 Carat Diamond $45,000.00 |
|
|
4.99 CARAT ANTIQUE CUSHION CUT DIAMOND PLATINUM RING $44,500.00 |
|
|
Antique rose cut diamond necklace. 26.89 total cts $32,000.00 |
|
|
3.95CT CUSHION CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING ANTIQUE 3CT $29,499.00 |
|
|
3.95CT CUSHION CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING ANTIQUE 3CT $29,499.00 |
|
|
ESTATE 1.83CT IDEAL CUT ANTIQUE CUSHION CUT DIAMOND $26,500.00 |
|
|
3.3 CT ROUND IDEAL CUT DIAMOND ANTIQUE VINTAGE RING PLT $25,550.00 |
|
|
6.72 RADIANT CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING ANTIQUE STYLE $24,950.00 |
|
|
FABULOUS ANTIQUE 3.36ct OLD CUT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING $24,440.26 |
|
|
ANTIQUE PLATINUM 3.10CT OLD CUSHION CUT DIAMOND RING $22,805.46 |
|
|
ANTIQUE 3.44ctw EUROPEAN CUT DIAMOND STUD EARRINGS 1930 $20,495.90 |
|
|
MAGNIFICENT 3.12 CARAT ANTIQUE CUSHION CUT DIAMOND RING $19,260.00 |
|
|
ESTATE ANTIQUE CUSHION CUT 1.55CT DIAMOND RING H-I, VS1 $17,959.00 |
|
|
ESTATE DIAMOND ANTIQUE CUSHION CUT 3 STONE RING $17,059.00 |
|
|
2.74CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE STYLE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $16,900.00 |
|
|
2.74CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE STYLE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $16,900.00 |
|
|
3.11CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $16,899.00 |
|
|
2.80CT EGL ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $16,899.00 |
|
|
2.80CT EGL ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $16,899.00 |
|
|
3.11CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $16,899.00 |
|
|
4.07 Ct Princess Cut Diamond Antique Engagement Ring $16,650.00 |
|
|
3.00CTW ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $16,599.00 |
|
|
3.00CTW ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $16,599.00 |
|
|
ROUND CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING DECO ANTIQUE 3.00CTW $16,099.00 |
|
|
ROUND CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING DECO ANTIQUE 3.00CTW $16,099.00 |
|
|
3.20CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $15,999.00 |
|
|
3.20CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $15,999.00 |
|
|
ANTIQUE BURMA RUBY & ROSE CUT DIAMOND EARRINGS $15,900.00 |
|
|
2.65CTW ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $15,300.00 |
|
|
2.65CTW ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $15,300.00 |
|
|
2.56CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE STYLE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $15,250.00 |
|
|
2.56CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE STYLE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $15,250.00 |
|
|
ESTATE ANTIQUE CUSHION CUT 1.20CT DIAMOND RING $15,109.00 |
|
|
3.20CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $14,999.00 |
|
|
$37,300 6.17CT ANTIQUE EUROPEAN CUT DIAMOND BRACELET VS $14,924.99 |
|
|
ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DECO DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 2.78CTW $14,795.00 |
|
|
ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DECO DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 2.78CTW $14,795.00 |
|
|
Antique 2.05 Carat Old European Round Cut Diamond Ring $14,631.46 |
|
|
CUSHION CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING DECO ANTIQUE 2.70CT $14,500.00 |
|
|
CUSHION CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING DECO ANTIQUE 2.70CT $14,500.00 |
|
|
ROUND CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING ANTIQUE DECO 2.36CT $13,950.00 |
|
|
ROUND CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING ANTIQUE DECO 2.36CT $13,950.00 |
|
|
1.35CT TRANSITIONAL CUT PLATINUM ANTIQUE STYLE RING $13,500.00 |
|
|
Vintage/Antique Hand Cut Crystal Chandelier Ca. 1900 $13,500.00 |
|
|
Antique 5.14 Ct Round Cut Diamond & Platinum Bracelet $12,996.66 |
|
|
6.37 CT. ANTIQUE STYLE ROUND CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT 18K $13,000.00 |
|
|
2.70CT ASSCHER CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING BAND $12,990.00 |
|
|
2.70CT ASSCHER CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING BAND $12,990.00 |
|
|
2.50CTW CUSHION CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING ANTIQUE 14K $12,700.00 |
|
|
2.50CTW CUSHION CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING ANTIQUE 14K $12,700.00 |
|
|
3.14 Round Cut Diamond Antique Engagement Ring G SI2 $12,625.00 |
|
|
3.14 Round Cut Diamond Antique Engagement Ring G SI2 $12,625.00 |
|
|
Antique European Cut Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring $12,500.00 |
|
|
2.25CT ASSCHER CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $12,150.00 |
|
|
2.25CT ASSCHER CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING $12,150.00 |
|
|
2.86CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $11,340.00 |
|
|
2.86CT ROUND CUT ANTIQUE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING 14K $11,340.00 |
|
|
OUTSTANDING ANTIQUE OLD CUT DIAMOND 5 STONE RING 3.70CT $11,361.86 |
|
|
Victorinox 12-Inch Granton Edge Slicing Knife with Fibrox Handle $40.99 A Granton, or kullenschiff edge has hollowed out grooves on the side. These fill with the fat and juices of the meat being sliced, allowing for thin even cuts without tearing or shredding the meat. R. H. Forschner is a division of Swiss Army Brands, Inc, renowned for the Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. These knives are specially ground and tempered so that they can be resharpened over and over again,… |
|
|
Great States 815-18 18-Inch Deluxe Push Reel Lawn Mower $99.99 Great States 18″ Reel Mower. A clean, precise, scissor – like cut for your lawn, NO fuel needed! Skip the gas. Skip the oil. Skip the fumes. Skip the cords. Skip the noise. You don’t need any of it, not when you’ve got the man-powered 18″ Mower from Great States. Smooth-spinning blades, easy-roll wheels, and height adjustability combine to deliver the perfectly-groomed look you want, no hassle req… |
|
|
Scotts 415-16S 16-Inch Elite Push Reel Lawn Mower $89.99 The Scotts Elite Reel Mower has a 16 inch cutting width, with a cutting height range of half inch to 2.50 inches. It is lightweight, with easy to push 10 inch wheels and radial tread tires. The handle is a flared T style with cushioned grips. The blades are heat treated tempered alloy steel with steel cutter bar for years of use. It has unbreakable steel side plates and 1-inch welded torsion tube … |
|
|
The Wizard of Oz – Vintage Recordings from the 1903 Broadway Musical $20.20 The Wizard of Oz a musical with book and lyrics by L. Frank Baum and music by Paul Tietjens premiered on June 16, 1902, at the Grand Opera House in Chicago. It was an instant hit and made stars of David Montgomery (the Tin Woodman) and Fred Stone (the Scarecrow). On January 21, 1903 the show opened at the Majestic Theatre in New York. It ran for nine months and set out on the road with a second co… |
|
|
Badfinger $24.98 The tragically brief career of ’70s British pop group Badfinger is a story of a chaotic band in need of structure. As a rockumentary, Badfinger is an equally unfocused affair desperately in need of historical context and, worse, a narrator. For a few years in the early ’70s, Badfinger rose from the shadow of the Beatles and emerged as pioneers of infectious power pop. Bridging the gap between… |
|
|
Panthelion Un-Cut $25.00 Revolutionary Jazz Ensemble, PANTHELION led by Composer and Bassist ENDIKA, is captured in one of the most groundbreaking performances in Jazz history. This action packed 90 minute DVD was shot live at the 2009 San Jose Jazz Festival. “UN-CUT” features a superb multi-track audio recording taken directly from the mixing board while maintaining the presence and grit of the live experience (right d… |
|
|
The Last Samurai (Two-Disc Special Edition) $2.09 While Japan undergoes tumultuous transition to a more Westernized society in 1876-77, The Last Samurai gives epic sweep to an intimate story of cultures at a crossroads. In America, tormented Civil War veteran Capt. Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is coerced by a mercenary officer (Tony Goldwyn) to train the Japanese Emperor’s troops in the use of modern weaponry. Opposing this “progress” is a rebellio… |
|
|
1941 (Collector’s Edition) $5.59 Watching this director’s cut, it’s finally possible to see why the studio made Spielberg mercilessly hack up this comedy: it’s a screaming movie (everyone screams a lot), and screaming movies do not need character development. So all those character-development scenes hit the cutting-room floor and, surprise, they were all critical to Spielberg’s pace for the humor in this film. The screaming wasn… |
|
|
The Jeweler`s Directory of Gemstones $19.57 In this “complete guide to appraising and using precious stones, from cut and color to shape and setting,” Crowe (a London-based jewelry maker, designer, and dealer) offers practical advice for fellow jewelry makers and designers on enhancing diverse g… |
|
|
Clover Antique Silver Yarn Cutter Pendant $7.89 Clever yarn cutter doubles as a very decorative pendantSewing accessory showcases a sharp circular blade inside the antique silver exteriorNeedlework apparatus allows you to cut yarn any place, any time |
|
|
Clover Antique Gold Yarn Cutter Pendant $7.69 Clover yarn cutter doubles as a decorative pendantSewing accessory showcases a sharp circular blade inside the antique gold casingNeedlework apparatus allows you to cut yarn any place, any time |
|
|
Hero Arts Antique Brocade Cling Stamp $8.09 Hero Arts cling rubber stamps are made with genuine all-natural rubber and a hand-cut premium ‘cling’ backing. This stamp features an antique brocade theme. |
|
|
Dragonfly Antique Bronze Hanging Pendant $120.99 Handcrafted using the same techniques that were developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in the early 1900s, this beautiful Tiffany-style piece contains hand-cut pieces of bent glass and an elegant antique bronze finish. |
|
|
Stainless Steel Cross Cutout Bracelet $12.29 Bracelet features links with cross-shaped cutoutsReligious jewelry is crafted of shining stainless steelEnhance your casual wardrobe with an antique-designed cross bracelet |
|
|
Two-toned Antique-inspired Pink CZ Ring $16.59 Click here for Ring Sizing ChartBeautiful fashion jewelryAntique-inspired ring with dark pink emerald-cut CZ |
|
|
Vintage Jade Quilt Set $78.99 Bring a lovely antique look into your bedroom with this quilt set. Generously cut for extra coverage, the Vintage Jade quilt features a lovely patchwork design with a stripe print on the back. |
|
|
Hero Arts ‘Antique Background’ Cling Stamp $9.99 Hero Arts Cling Rubber Stamps are made with all natural rubber and a hand-cut premium cling backing. This stamp features a deep etch for precise impressions. |
|
|
Glitzy Rocks Sterling Silver Tiger’s Eye Leverback Earrings $16.49 Traditional Bali bead styling adds trendy design to fiery gemstone jewelrySterling silver earrings with antique lookTwo oval-cut tiger’s eye gemstones (9×7 mm) |
|
|
Glitzy Rocks Sterling Silver Azurite Leverback Earrings $16.59 Traditional Bali bead styling adds trendy design to brilliant gemstone jewelrySterling silver earrings with antique lookTwo oval-cut azurite gemstones |
|
|
Embossed Room Darkening Grommet 84-inch Curtain Pair $49.99 Keep your home decor under wraps with these embossed room darkening curtains. These curtains feature 16 antique bronze grommets and help to block out light and noise while cutting back on window related energy loss. |
|
|
Glitzy Rocks Sterling Silver Carnelian Leverback Earrings $16.09 Traditional Bali bead styling adds trendy design to fiery gemstone jewelrySterling silver earrings with antique lookTwo oval-cut carnelian gemstones (8×6 mm) |
|
|
Sterling Silver Antique Cubic Zirconia-accented Necklace $21.19 This sterling silver necklace features an antique design with pear and round-cut cubic zirconia stones on the pendant and chain. A 16-inch cable chain with a 1-inch extension is included with this jewelry. |
|
|
Hermosa Goldtone Created Stone Fashion Necklace $17.09 This large statement pendant features an oxidized goldtone antique style. The intricate detail of the pendant is accentuated with a faceted black cabochon stone and is outlined with dozens of aqua colored round-cut crystals. |
|
|
Dogfights: The Complete Series (DVD) $40.4 This remarkable History Channel series puts the viewer in the cockpits of cutting-edge and antique planes, offering a rare glimpse of aerial action from the inside out. Blending archival footage of infamous battles with stunning computer illustrations,… |
|
|
Sterling Silver Cherry Blossom Circle Earrings (Mexico) $79.99 Add a touch of sophistication to any ensemble with these shimmering sterling silver earrings. The handmade earrings feature an open cut-out cherry blossoms motif and an antique finish. |
|
|
Glitzy Rocks Sterling Silver Oval Variscite Leverback Earrings $15.49 Traditional Bali bead styling adds trendy design to vibrant gemstone jewelrySterling silver earrings with antique lookTwo genuine oval-cut variscite gemstones (9×7 mm) |
|
|
Sterling Silver Clear Cubic Zirconia Bracelet $37.99 Round-cut clear cubic zirconias are connected by an antique finished chain on this stylish bracelet. This unique bracelet is crafted from stainless steel with a goldtone accented clasp. |
|
|
Sterling Silver Blue Topaz and Diamond Antique Ring $47.99 Blue topaz and diamond accent ring Sterling silver jewelryClick here for ring sizing guide |
|
|
Hermosa Goldtone Rhinestone and Acrylic Antique Earrings $11.99 These pretty drop earrings from Hermosa feature oval-cut and teardrop faceted cabochon stones set amidst rhinestones in a regal antiqued setting. Crafted of oxidized goldtone electroplating over brass, the earrings secure with hook findings. |
|
|
Dragonfly 2-light Antique Bronze Floor Lamp $160.99 Handcrafted using the same techniques that were developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in the early 1900s, this beautiful Tiffany-style piece contains hand-cut pieces of stained glass each wrapped in fine copper foil. |
|
|
Silvertone Faux Pearl and Cubic Zirconia Antique-style Ring $17.99 Round-cut green cubic zirconia ringTwo-tone brass jewelry Click here for ring sizing guide |
|
|
Dogfights – The Complete Season Two (DVD) $25.1 Every episode from the second season of DOGFIGHTS is included in this collection, along with bonus scenes never before aired on television. This remarkable History Channel series puts the viewer in the cockpits of cutting edge and antique planes, offer… |
|
|
8 Count Bag Thumb Cut Coin Holder Sheets (Paperback) $7.99 Description not available. |
|
|
14k Yellow Gold 3ct TDW Diamond Antique Bar Pin (J-K, SI1-SI2) $6702.99 A curved line of quality old mine cut diamonds in graduated sizes adorns this beautiful bar pin. Circa 1930′s, this estate jewelry is crafted of 14-karat yellow gold and features floral accents at the edges. |
|
|
Diamond Ring Buying Guide (Paperback) $12.82 This updated seventh edition includes new photos of ring styles, colored diamonds, and newly designed cuts, and new information on palladium, diamond treatments, synthetic diamonds, ring mountings, and the new GIA and AGS cut grading systems. Chapter t… |
|
|
Cutting Edge $29.79 The Japanese sword has long been appreciated both as a weapon and as an object of art. No culture, besides the Japanese, has developed the sword to such a level of technological excellence, or raised it to such a position of spiritual importance. … |
|
|
Identifying American Brilliant Cut Glass (Paperback) $13.44 Description not available. |
Write a comment: