Check out the condition of the finish on the exterior as well as the drawers.Look for areas that have been worn down or replaced.When the joint is expertly executed, it is a thing of beauty, and a secure joining of two boards that can last for centuries.A little glue cements the connection, and a good dovetail joint has great strength and durability.

This construction detail is your first key to the piece’s age and quality of craftsmanship.The puritan New England cabinetmakers built simple unadorned cupboards painted in drab colors.The Shakers are well known for their simple but elegant furniture.Tiny angled saw cuts were followed by careful cutting by a sharpened chisel on both sides to avoid splintering.One board had tiny tails, and the other had the larger pins, carefully measured to match and fit together exactly.