The technology of 18th-century furniture is discussed from the perspective of joinery and of cabinetry. Wood identification, tool marks, and finish are important indicators in furniture authentication. Legitimate restoration is defined in context of what may be expected to survive on a particular piece of furniture and what is most likely to be damaged on an original piece. Techniques to evaluate wooden furniture include raking light, radiography, and paint analyses as well as careful visual survey. Examples illustrate how these procedures are put into practice.