Last week, we took a look at some of the features of antique office furniture that deserve to make a 21^st century comeback; but what if you want to buy an actual antique for your office? Thankfully, there’s a wiki over at lovetoknow.com that can help you make the right decision. This helpful guide to buying an antique office desk tells you what to look for in a high-quality item. You can get tips about how to establish the provenance and authenticity of the piece and its repair/restoration history.

One major difference between buying an antique and buying new office furniture is that you can’t just buy online. Since antiques are one of a kind, you don’t have access to dozens or hundreds of user reviews for the item. You need to see, touch, and evaluate the piece in person rather than relying on a written description and photographs. You can often spot a fake because it is “too perfect”. Really old wooden furniture will show some signs of gentle wear and age. If you really want a gorgeous wooden desk that looks completely unblemished, then you should save yourself some trouble and money and buy a new office desk.