Antiques on Old Plank Road include Country French, English, Spanish and Italian furniture which can be shipped to any part of the world. Old Plank Road has been importing and restoring European antiques and vintage furniture since 1992. In January 2011, Old Plank Road moved to a new location in a beautifully restored vintage building in Chicago with 31,000 square feet of showroom space as a fitting backdrop for their spectacular inventory.

Old Plank Road staff makes frequent trips to Europe, particularly to France and England for antiques and vintage furniture. Own a truly imported French and Italian antique that will make a value statement wherever it is placed – possibly in the master retreat for enjoying morning coffee, in the formal living room for family gatherings, or anywhere you require a spectacular focal point in your home. Old Plank Road has shipped antiques to their clients, as far as Hong Kong and Australia. Old Plank Road has also highly gifted team of artisans working full-time in their on-site workshop and who have specialized in restoring vintage and antique furniture.

Following is a short list of imported French and Italian antique collectibles for you to choose from:

Antique French Walnut Louis XV Style Settee with Original Needlepoint

This original 19th century antique French walnut Louis XV style settee has retained its original needlepoint upholstery. This antique French walnut Louis XV style settee is in its original condition and it means that it has had a lifetime of care and was treated with utmost respect. It is beautiful, comfortable, and stunning, in any way you look at it.

Vintage Italian Gilt and Crystal 6 Light Chandelier

This original 1930 antique Italian chandelier shimmers in its opulent bead-work and glass bobbles is held in a gilt finish frame. This antique Italian chandelier is fully restored, but one crystal and will add not only illumination but also, a new dimension of glamour, glitter and glitz to your home.

18th Century Antique French Figured Cherry Buffet or Console

This remarkable antique French buffet is built in figured cherry-wood. This antique French buffet has a fine patina and the an unmistakable old French charm. This versatile 1710 antique French cupboard is with a shallow footprint and has undergone a loving restoration, making it structurally sound. This remarkable antique French buffet has doors and drawers which function smoothly. A fresh coat of wax has brought out its beautifully aged patina. This extraordinary 1 over 2 antique French buffet would fit well in an entry foyer, behind a sofa, or on a landing of a flight of stairs.

Antique French Walnut Henri II Bibliotheque

This 19th century antique French Walnut Henri II Bibliotheque is built in solid walnut. The four doors of this 19th century antique French bibliotheque are carved in fine details. This antique French cabinet would be perfect in a kitchen, a reading nook on a landing or a stairwell, or a dining or living room for showcasing your favorite curios. This antique French cabinet is in its original condition and well constructed with carved drawers which dovetail into each other.

Antique Italian Painted & Gilded Bench with Arms

This 1780-1800 antique Italian painted & gilded bench is breathtakingly beautiful with six water gilded legs and arms. This exquisitely restored antique Italian bench is structurally sound and is waiting for you to pick it up. This antique Italian bench is a perfect choice for a foyer, as an end table for your bed in a master bedroom retreat, or as a unique side table in your formal dining room.

Antique French Solid Oak Medieval Style Two Drawer Writing Table

This 18th century antique French writing table will be a bold and dramatic statement for your home, office, or castle. This antique French writing table is created in solid oak. It comes with two medieval style drawers with a modern functionality. This antique French writing table is in sturdy and solid condition and would be a classic addition to a European style home. This one-of-a-kind antique French writing table comes with a craftsmanship and style you do not generally find in today’s furniture.

Identification of art pieces, antique figurines, antique furniture, reproductions, antiques and collectibles

Collectors of fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions take their collections seriously and enjoy seeking out new additions. There are usually a few hurdles along the way including forgeries, reprints and other scams.

If you are planning on becoming a collector of antiques, it is useful to remember the following points:

• Knowledge is power: the more you read about and research the items you are interested in the better you are equipped to deal with the seller.
• Do not assume that if something is expensive it is genuine.
• Get second opinions and expert advice on fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware and antique furniture reproductions.
• Start small by buying inexpensive items, this gives you a feel for copies and reproductions before you start paying more for fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions.
• Acquaint yourself with a few antique sellers and get to know them. They will be happy to share their knowledge about genuine antiques and their authenticity guarantee and return policy of fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions.
• Go online for sellers with good reputations and plenty of information on fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions.
• Pay attention to the color, physical nature, style, visible stamps and provenance of fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions.

Black light is a useful tool in judging the identity and age of fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions. Black light is a form of ultraviolet light invisible to human eyes. UV light is useful because

• Glass of different types and ages fluoresces differently in black light
• Black light creates different colors of fluorescence which can be used in identification of the age of fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions.

Identifying modern reprints and forgeries of antique documents and other paper ephemera with black light

Black light can identify many fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions and other paper items that contain optical brighteners. In a dark room and under black light, optical brighteners will usually fluoresce a very bright light blue or bright white.

Starting in the late 1940s, manufacturers of many products began adding optical brighteners and other new chemicals to their products. Optical brighteners are invisible dyes that fluoresce brightly under ultraviolet light. They were used to make products appear brighter in normal daylight.

Optical brighteners were added to

• Laundry detergent and clothes to help remove stains and to toys to make them more colorful.
• Almost all white papers stocks.

Historical documents

White paper is treated with fluorescent compounds to help it appear brighter and whiter. Sometimes forgery of historical documents can be detected by placing them under a black light to detect the presence of brighteners which were added to paper after 1950. Older paper does not contain these brighteners.

Black light is helpful in identifying many types of restoration and alterations to fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproduction

• Fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions altered by the addition of paper, glue, paint, varnish and/or other material that fluoresces differently and can therefore be identified as having been altered, repaired or forged.
• To identify alterations to fine art prints, antique figurines, antique furniture, rugs, chinaware, and antique furniture reproductions one should also look for differences in texture, gloss, and opacity. When an art print is held at an angle nearing 180 degrees to a light, the added paint, ink or paper will often have a different texture and gloss from the rest of the card surface. The added material may also be physically raised from the rest of the surface which can be felt with the finger tip.

OldPlank.com offers incredible collection of Antique French Furniture, Vintage French Furniture, Country French Furniture Reproductions, Antiques and Collectibles imported from France and England. Antiques on Old Plank Road, 331 East Ogden Avenue, Westmont, IL 60559.