Antique Overload

If you’re in the market for antique furniture, it’s very likely that you have heard rumors that solid wood is better than a veneer, or vice versa. In all reality, solid woods and veneers are both good for different reasons. It may even be surprising to hear that most furniture now-a-days is manufactured with a combination of solid woods and veneers.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the furniture industry is that a veneer signifies that a piece is of low quality or value. This is WRONG! Veneers have been around since the 18^th century when Egyptians discovered that gluing a thin piece of wood to a piece of furniture could add a beauty and strength to solid woods that had never before been achieved. The negative reputation of veneers came about over a century later during the Industrial Revolution. During this time, there was a large focus on mass production. Furniture was processed in high quantities with shoddy materials with little care or concern for the quality of the wood used, or the veneer’s application. As a result, one generation of furniture ruined the beauty and elegance of veneers almost completely. The veneers of this time became detached or warped and revealed a low quality particleboard underneath. If a veneer is applied correctly (as it consistently was prior to this time period) it will add to the value, strength and beauty of a piece.

Solid wood pieces seem to have the best long term reputation with regards to furniture. Solid wood pieces are great because they are durable and easy to repair. It’s not a big undertaking to fix any scratches, discolorations, dents or other common flaws. It is also good to know that your furniture is the same piece of wood all the way through. There’s nothing on top disguising whatever may lie beneath. The downfall, however, is that many woods can be imitated. This can be unnerving when you are attempting to by a nice oak piece only to find out that your purchase is only an oak look-alike.

When antique shopping, your worry should not be whether a veneer or a solid wood piece is “better” than the other. Almost all antiques have been made by hand with great care by skilled artisans. The quality and integrity of both veneers and solid wood pieces wasn’t compromised until much later. Here at European Estate Sellers, we pride ourselves the quality of our pieces from the solid wood to the solid wood pieces graced with veneers. Don’t be afraid to appreciate a piece for the beauty of its veneer or the durability and reliance of its solid wood.

If you are still unsure of the quality of a veneer or have questions, take a look at this article. It is a very well written and educational and should help answer any of your questions.