[Goosegirl]

Can anyone recommend a book or whatever for dating furniture. I have an old small oval gate-leg table made of oak which is almost black in places due to its tannin content, and I'd love to know just how old it is.

[Aunt Sally]

Would this be of any use:

https://oldplank.com/blog/how-to-determine-the-age-of-antique-furniture/

[Goosegirl]

I knew this was coming! I need to get my niece-in-law to help with lifting it up out of the corner between the wall and my desk so I can have a proper look at its construction, hinges etc. AS - you are such a star.   

[Aunt Sally]

Good luck with that 

[Growster...]

How the joints are cut is a give-away - were they done by hand or machine?

My dad doted on an old Welsh dresser they'd had for years, and thought it was worth thousands, but sadly, we found the top wasn't a match with the bottom, and the drawers were all machined joints...

We got around £300.00 for it at auction, so that was that!

I'd be interested in your gate-leg table, as we have one given to us when we were first wed, and used it until the family came along, and we needed a bigger table!

[Goosegirl]

Ok, Mr G. I'll get my niece on Friday to get it out then I'll take some pics of the top, legs, hinges and joints. I'm going to guess 1700's, but what do I know?! 

[GraciesGran]

We use the gate leg table my parents bought when they got married every day.  It's battered and tatty and priceless.