Hand-wrought nails, cut nails, wire nails, screws, hinges, locks, pulls, casters, replacement patterns, and dating limits.
- Describe the object without assuming identity.
- Record measurements, materials, construction, marks, surface, condition, and alterations.
- Separate what is observed from what is reported.
- Compare documented examples with matching details.
- State attribution and date at the strength the evidence supports.
Material evidence has limits
Old material can be reused and new repairs can be attached to old objects. Read the whole construction system.
Physical evidence to record
Alteration Risk
Document refinishing, replaced hardware, new bases, composite parts, fills, inpainting, polishing, and modern coatings.
Condition and change
Separate age from condition. A genuinely old object may be heavily altered; a clean object may retain strong originality. List repairs, replaced parts, refinishing, reupholstery, inpainting, fills, cracks, losses, mounting, trimming, drilling, and cleaning.
Value research
Use matched completed sales where available. Compare identity, period, maker or region, dimensions, material, originality, condition, provenance, completeness, sale date, venue, buyer premium, and shipping obligations. Do not average unlike objects.
Compare current collector listings
Use listings to study construction, dimensions, maker marks, regional details, repairs, provenance claims, and market supply. Asking prices are research leads, not completed-sale evidence.
Search eBay collector listings