Vintage kitchen table with enamel top

Vintage kitchen tables with enamel top are a beautiful addition to any dining room. They have a ton of charm, and give off a homely feel- but finding a truly vintage kitchen table can be hard if you don’t know what to look for.

So how do you spot a vintage table? Here are some tips.

Check for symmetry

Furniture was made by hand until the 1860’s, when machine made furniture was introduced. This being said, something made by hand won’t be exactly the same on both sides. Take a good look and search for any small differences in patterns or sizes and detail of vintage kitchen table with enamel top.

The finish

The finish of a wooden vintage kitchen table with enamel top piece may give away it’s age, as well. Shellac was the only see through furniture finish until the 1860’s, so a varnish or lacquer is a good sign of a more modern manufacturing date. If you can at all swing it, try to test the finish before you buy the piece. Find a hidden spot on your piece and apply denatured alcohol. If the finish dissolves, it’s made of shellac and is most likely an antique.

Conclusion

There are other ways to tell what is authentic vintage, of course, but the above two ways are the most commonly used.

Happy antiquing!