Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/27/2005

Question
Is there a good referance source to determine what kinds of wood were used for furniture in different eras, such as 50's & earlier 1900's?
I come across different pieces thru auctions & sometimes can not identify the wood for desciption when I want to resell.

Answer
Hi Carolyn
Nice to hear from you.
What an interesting question this is, and I must be honest in saying that I never gave the subject much thought until I read your letter.
True antique experts can often tell you the region a piece came from by the type of woods used, but for us average folks its almost impossible.
As to your question regarding different woods used in different eras, I think all woods were used in all the eras.
The more expensive woods like walnut were used sparingly in later years, and then often as veneers and not solid wood.
I am very happy to own an Eastlake style dresser made of solid walnut. This is the only one I have ever came across, but there are more. Makes one wonder if perhaps it was made in an area that had an abundance of walnut trees. Sadly here in Canada where I live, walnut can be purchased for around the same price as gold (my joke, but its extremely expensive).
I am also currently working on a small dresser that is solid oak. Now I mean solid. Even the drawer sides and drawer bottoms are oak. I have never seen this before either, but once again it was perhaps made in an area that had an abundance of oak.
I remember reading once that oak was considered an inferior wood at one time and used as the carcass under veneers and not top wood...strange isn't it when we see how solid oak furniture is sought after today.
So I guess where I'm going with my rambling Carolyn is just exploring the different aspects of your question.
And when I really think about it, yes there should be a book like you seek, but I don't think there is.
And if we look at the history of furniture making from the 1900's to the fifties, we certainly see a pattern of furniture quality going down as the years go by.
Thats an economics thing and a scarcity of quality wood in my opinion.
If there was a book, I'm sure it would talk about manufacturers through the years wanting more return on their dollars, and this means faster production time and cheaper materials to make the product for the general public (and lets be realistic, thats about the only type of furniture we come across today.) Its a rare day for me to come across a really quality piece of antique furniture...I'll quickly add "that I can afford" LOL.
And in closing I want to say that if you continue in the pursuit of antiques, you will quickly learn to tell the 50's furniture from the 1900"s stuff.
I want to wish you the very best in your future antiquing ventures, and thank you for an excellent question. I have answered it to the best of my knowledge, but like you I have lots to learn.
Kindest Regards
Eileen