A chest of drawers could appear uniform to the eye when viewed from down the room, but its handles could be from different times and different pieces. One handle is over two previous holes, one set has screw holes, and one is darker in colour and formed to disguise damage to the original surface. None of these means that the chest is not authentic or not valuable. The fact is that the piece changed in the period after its original fabrication. This history needs to be included in the written record and interpretation of the object condition.
A piece to start with is a low-risk, cabinet, box, frame or other domestic item. Look carefully for changes at every hinge, lock, screw, handle, bracket and fixings in good light. Compare and contrast matching pieces; don’t evaluate them individually. Observe differences in metal colour and quality of casting or manufacture; level of wear; thread shape; tool marks; spacing and finish quality of metal surfaces. Photographs of front and back of each fitting should be taken if it’s easy and safe to reach both sides. Include in the record which parts appear matching and what needs further investigation.
Replaced or changed hardware will often leave visible signs. There might be multiple holes left behind, or holes which are patched; timber compression, pale traces around a fitting or a patch of colour; the loss of a patina; or scratch marks surrounding a fixings. A replacement handle plate may be larger than the one that was originally fitted and it could have been sized up to cover damage. The new screws might be in an old hinge. Old handles, etc. might have been added from another piece. The age of a piece does not always mean it belongs to an item, so size, position, wear and surface condition also need to be assessed.
Other later repairs will include wood, ceramic, glass, metal, paper and textiles. Furniture: glued splits, veneer fillings, reinforced joints, replacement drawer runners. Pottery and ceramics: patched chips, replaced or joined handles, overpainting, patched fine cracks, re-cementing. Metalware: soldering to a broken joint; fixing of an additional hinge of a different type to existing metalwork; re-plated surfaces. Books: added end paper; added covers; added or replaced pages. New binding. Textiles: added patches to support a weak section; stitches of a different type to the original sewing. It is not necessary for every record to know when, where or by whom each repair was added.
The impact of a repair is measured by how extensive the work is, why it was needed and how visible it is. A small measure of conservation to strengthen a fragile area of an object might not harm its integrity. The effect of a repair could range from a cosmetic refresh or refinishing which might remove marks or other surface evidence of manufacture or use; or a replacement which might make an object usable (a broken drawer or a lid), but alters the appearance and authenticity. Don’t just make a binary distinction of whether the piece is original or non-original. Many antiques were in some way repaired, maintained, refitted and/or replaced. The question really is what does appear original, what isn’t and why is it known?
In condition records it’s good to specify the location and the reason for identification or change. Two rear hinges differ in size; the right-hand hinge covers previously-filled screw holes. Circular patch around underside of left handle shows a patch of pale colour; suggests a replacement plate was fitted previously. Measurements and photographic record of details are important too. A good place to start is by comparison with other examples in the collection or by consulting specialist references and other collections’ records. Look at auction catalogue listings and other reliable online examples. The original description can provide a clue as to whether the item may or may not have been altered.
A last point is that before you consider buying, look where other later work or alterations might be concealed; under drawer or door handles, behind locks, inside cabinet and boxes, inside frames and at the back; under the base. At the bottom of pieces; on top of pieces or in the corners or along seams. Any area where fresh paint, varnish or polish has been added can be a sign of previous alterations to the piece. Don’t force open, lift or dismantle anything which might be damaged. The final record should explain any alterations clearly rather than try to hide the fact that they exist; an identified replacement part is easier to accept than a claim that a part is original when it might not be.