Topic
Identification
Veneer or Solid Wood? How Mid-Century Furniture Was Really Made
Most mid-century cabinets are veneered and most chair frames are solid. Why makers chose each, what museum records say, how wood movement explains it, and how to read edges, grain and cores honestly.
Original, Licensed Reissue or Reproduction? A Clear Buying Guide
What separates a period original, a licensed later production and an unlicensed copy, how museum records date them, what UK law has said about replicas since 28 July 2016, and the evidence to ask for before you buy.
How to Tell Teak, Walnut and Rosewood Furniture Apart
Colour, grain, pores, smell and weight for telling teak, walnut and rosewood apart, with what museum records call them, why stain and veneer mislead, and the rosewood trade rules buyers need to know.
How to Identify Mid-Century Furniture Labels and Maker Marks
Every mark on a piece of furniture answers one question: who made it, who sold it, what scheme it met, where it came from or when it could first have existed. Work out which question before you search.
The Danish Furniture Makers' Control Stamp: What It Certifies
The mark certifies Danish origin and a materials standard. It names no designer, guarantees no timber, and cannot appear on furniture made before 1960.
How to Date Herman Miller Furniture by Its Label
Herman Miller changed its labels a dozen times between 1946 and 1984. Each change narrows the date of a piece, and one narrows it to a single year.