If you’re looking for something unique to adorn the rooms of your home, then a hobby that you may want to delve into is buying and selling antiques. There are a couple of different things that you are going to need to consider when it comes to buying and selling antiques in order to get the most out of the experience. Before you go out and buy those rare items that you have been hunting down, consider the following guide.

Antiques can be described as absolutely collectible item that has 100 years under its belt and some level of aesthetic value to the beholder. Examples of antiques that you can buy and sell include grandfather clocks, jewelry items, pianos, vintage fashion items, silverware, Ivory items, Faberge eggs and the list goes on. When it comes to buying and selling antiques, people tend to have their own unique preferences for different items, and it is up to you to decide what types of items you are personally interested in.

The first thing that you are going to want to consider with buying and selling antiques is the history and the originality of whatever antique you are set on buying. Rare antiques tend to come at higher prices than those that are not as original, and you want to make sure that you are buying the real deal rather than a fake or a replica. Many people that are buying and selling antiques out there are putting retouched items up on the auction block, but you are actually going to want an antique that has not been refurbished or repaired in order to get the best possible experience.

Before you go about buying and selling antiques of any kind, you are going to want to do a proper level of research on the item in question. A great place for you to conduct this research is online, which is where you can find some truly valuable information about any antiques that you are planning in dealing in. Learn how to spot reproductions and refurbished items. Learn how to tell whether or not the antique in question is actually authentic. The more that you prepare for buying and selling antiques, the more successful you will end up being in the grand scheme of things. Once you have done a proper amount of research, you will have the necessary confidence to go out there and buy and sell with the best of them.

You can get into buying and selling antiques in your local area or online, depending on your comfort zone. You can buy from reputable auction houses in your local vicinity and this will help you guarantee the authenticity of anything that you buy. You can also buy online from many sources, but buying and selling antiques online is a little trickier because proving authenticity takes more work and more trust.

Photo Credits: StephenMitchell

Originally posted 2009-10-24 03:42:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

If you are interested in the art of antiquing, then you should know that there are antiques and collectibles that you can find in all shapes, all sizes and all kinds of locations. All of these antiques and collectibles have history, a past, a story to them. People can find some of the most unlikely objects to begin collecting in some truly interesting places. For example, someone is purported to have found an original copy of the real, authentic Declaration of Independence in a desk that was purchased from a flea market. Can you imagine that? The adage that one man’s trash is another’s treasure became very real at that moment!

What some people believe is junk can actually be a really neat or really collectible piece of history. People from all over the world are collecting antiques and collectibles and finding antiques and collectibles in the world today has become even easier than ever before.

One of the first places that you should consider when you are looking for antiques and collectibles is on the internet in places such as an eBay store for example. If you are looking for a certain item, then this is definitely the place for you to go. A person can easily save a lot of time and a lot of money when they make use of the internet to help them find the antique and collectible dealers that they are looking for. Gas prices are going up, why drive from estate sale to estate sale hoping to find that one special item, when you can find so many other sources of antiques and collectibles when you search online? eBay is a global marketplace for antiques and collectibles which means that you will have the best possible chance of finding what you want when you use a marketplace website like eBay to help you find the antiques and collectibles that you are looking for.

eBay is a website that is very easy to use, even if you are not accustomed to shopping on the internet. You can pretty much find a little bit of absolutely everything on eBay from collectible baseball cards to vases from ancient Chinese dynasties. You can find antiques and collectibles virtually anywhere in this day and age, as people buy items and sell items all throughout the world as their tastes and collections change. Check out flea markets, junk stores, consignment stores, garage sales, estate sales and any other marketplace where people are selling things, and you may just find a rare gem, a treasure, something priceless to you and essential to your collection.

There is no right or wrong way to collect antiques and collectibles. Just do what feels right, enjoy every step of the process, and cherish your collection as you build it and you will be just fine.

Photo Credits: Valeriana Solaris

Originally posted 2009-10-20 03:08:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Antiquities and antiques are separate entities all together. Antiquities are ancient objects that are most commonly at least 800 years of age or older. There are a number of truly nice antiquities on eBay if you know where to look. For every authentic piece that you can find when it comes to antiquities on eBay, however, there are easily around one hundred auctions that are not real. It is important for you to understand the difference between finding a real treasure, and finding something suitable for the dumpster when it comes to buying antiquities on eBay. The following brief guide should prove useful.

First and foremost, when bidding on antiquities on eBay, you should never bid on an ancient object unless you are already familiar with said type of object. It is vitally important that you avoid any impulse bidding. You may not have come to the eBay website interested in buying a piece of ancient art until you happened across the item on eBay, becoming aware of its attainability. Do not bid unless you know what you are doing. Remember, if you are not aware of what something is supposed to look like when it comes to antiquities on eBay, then you are going to be susceptible to becoming a victim of con artists.

When it comes to buying antiquities on eBay, one of the things that you should keep in mind is that you should be spending as much money as you are spending on antiquities as on books on the subject of antiquities in order to make sure that you buy the right things and are never taken for a ride. Another thing that you should do is look for antiquities and ancient artifacts websites, communities, groups, clubs and so on. These groups often have prestigious experts and collectors in their ranks, and these are individuals that can teach you a lot about history and antiquities, including all about buying antiquities on eBay.

While you are learning about the area that interests you the most you can certainly buy something, but make sure that you are purchasing from a reputable and recommended dealer. There are plenty of recommended and reputable dealers for antiquities on eBay, you simply have to make sure that you are making the right decision so that you can buy the right items rather than spending a lot of money on something that isn’t worthwhile. You may be surprised at how reasonable the prices antiquities on eBay can be when you work with a reputable dealer. Make sure that you do some research, however, before you end up buying any antiquities on eBay, because one of the most important parts of collecting is simply to make sure that you end up with an authentic collection.

Photo Credits: Michiel2005

Originally posted 2009-10-05 03:20:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Dealers -> Glass -> Plates

Collecting antique dishes can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s probably not going to be an easy one! Because of the wide variety of dishes available from so many sources, you’ll probably have to brush up on your knowledge of dishes and dinnerware. You may have to do a little research into the collectibles in general, as well as specifically investigating an individual dish. It’s great fun for those who like to dig for information and uncover mysteries, and can be exciting when you get surprises, like realizing you’ve just purchased an ordinary-looking dish that’s a valuable collector’s item.

If you’re ready to start collecting antique dishes, you should first realize that just because a dish is 60 or 70 years old, it’s not necessarily any more valuable than it was when it was new. Much depends on how many of that exact dish was produced and how in demand it is now. Many people mistakenly think that old China is particularly valuable simply because it’s old, and that’s pretty far from the truth.

If it’s extremely old, China is almost certainly worth a little more than it was new (and might be worth much more). Some antique dishes with patterns that were discontinued quite soon after their release are worth a little more because they’re more rare. But antique China dishes are most valuable to those who have entire sets and want a piece to replace one that’s broken or lost. If you’re interested in antique China, though, it would pay to do some research into the kind of dishes you want.

The older the antique dishes are, regardless of what they’re made from, the more valuable they typically are, if they’re valuable at all. Antique porcelain dishes can be valuable, all depending on how popular they were when they were new. Antique handpainted dishes are inherently more desired and valuable than mass produced dishes, because even if the same pattern was used on many, the handpainting renders each one unique. And uniqueness is an important consideration when determining the value of a dish, or any item.

A problem with antique dishes is that often not even the seller will know how old a dish may be. This is where the detective work becomes necessary. You’ll need to find any marks on the bottom of the dish indicating the artist, the company, the serial number, the pattern name or anything that has the potential to help identify the dish. You can search online on all of these things, or ask a local antique dealer or appraiser if they have knowledge of it. For China specifically, don’t forget the many websites that specialize in replacements of pieces from discontinued patterns; they can be a wealth of information.

Finding the origin of antique dishes can be a challenge. If you can’t see the dish in person, ask about chips and cracks, and have the seller give you all of the information from the bottom so you can do your research!

Originally posted 2008-12-04 14:00:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Stemware

How do you tell an antique goblet from an antique cup or mug? Goblets are stemware, with the earliest goblets made from earthenware and then expanding to other stronger materials as the years passed. The use of goblets pre-dates the Roman Empire, though the real explosion of their use occurred in Roman times. They created goblets from many different types of materials like pottery and even lead, for the common masses, while the elite and upper classes of their society used goblets made from glass and precious metals.

Glass goblets were refined chiefly by the Venetian Empire, with glass goblets still produced in Italy and the USA today. Antique goblets are rarely those made from glass, simply because glass is breakable. An antique goblet found today is most likely made from metal, which is a more durable and long-lasting material.

An antique medieval goblet, for example, would likely be made from a mixture of metals or even wood. Wood was used for many eating materials and even carved into stemware because it was so readily available and easy to work with. An antique wooden goblet from medieval times would have been more likely to belong to common people, where a metal goblet might have been used by the more wealthy. The highest classes also used glass and crystal goblets, often with detailed embellishments on the stems or with fancy handles. While antique medieval goblets are those from that time period and wonderful pieces of history, many goblets you’ll find for sale are called vintage medieval or medieval-inspired. Those are contemporary pieces merely bearing medieval designs, not antiques.

An antique goblet found today most likely would not have been used for many years, as collectors prefer to display them and keep them in good repair. While most will be metal, it is possible to find glass antique stemware, particularly in auctions from Venice and Murano Italy.

When purchasing a glass antique goblet, there are many things to consider. And while auctions are a great resource for finding these, it’s best if you can examine the goblet firsthand before purchase (or get a guarantee before purchase and examine it immediately upon arrival). First, determine whether the glass stemware has ever been broken or damaged and repaired. If you’re purchasing through an auction, read the details and ask questions. A glass goblet can be glued in such a way that it’s invisible. If you hold it up to a black light, however, the imperfection will show. Ask if the goblet will hold up under such an examination. Fakes are also a problem, which usually require examination by an expert to detect.

Also, the type of glass used in the antique goblet is important. Some older glass manufacturers used high alkali glass which breaks down over time. This glass will have a distinct odor, and may even “sweat” as molecules in the air react with the glass. If the glass is in this state of decay, it’s not a good investment.

Photo Credits: burningkarma

Originally posted 2008-10-10 14:00:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

If you are trying to learn how to find antiques that you can buy and add to your collection or resell through other avenues such as online or through antiques auctions, the following guide should prove useful to you. Here is a brief guide on how to find antiques that fit in with your personal antiques collection, or that hold value so that you can resell them to other antiques collectors. Here are some of the places where you will be able to find antiques and collectibles in your local area and beyond:

- * Yard Sales and Garage Sales - You are going to have to visit quite a few yard sales and garage sales in order to fill your vehicle up with goodies because finding vintage treasures is not as commonplace, but you can find a lot of unique antiques in yard sales as people get rid of the stuff that has been clogging their garages such as Christmas ornaments, milk glass, vintage cookie cutters, vintage jewelry, Bakelite and so on.

- * Estate Sales - You are going to find that estate sales are a popular method for people to find antiques. If you are trying to determine how to find antiques, visiting estate sales is a good way to go. Here you will find plenty of household items including a variety of unique treasures. When attending estate sales, make sure that you go early so that you can get first dibs on the things you’re most interested in. You can find a variety of unique items in estate sales including Bakelite, antique cocktail stirrers and corkscrews, enamelware, vintage bakeware, barware, antique cookbooks and other collectibles.

- * Church Sales and School Rummage Sales - This is another big favorite because it is essentially going to be like a huge multiple-family garage sale. If allowed, bring your own basket or box to carry things in, and make sure that you get there early because there is going to be plenty to see. When discovering how to find antiques, church sales ands school rummage sales are going to prove to be an invaluable resource because there are so many people throwing treasures away without really realizing it. Here you should be able to find vintage lamps, books, kitchenware, glasses, vintage handbags, Christmas ornaments, old jewelry and many other treasures.

- * Thrift Stores - Thrift stores provide a great resource for people learning how to find antiques. You aren’t going to find as many treasures as was possible in the past because many of the people running thrift stores are now smart enough to use the internet for pricing and they are looking to make a profit, not to give away treasures at tiny prices. Still, you can find plenty to see in these national thrift store chains and it should provide you with a basis for what’s available out there and what prices things are worth, which will help you find antiques in other places in your local area.

Photo credits: decade_null

Originally posted 2009-09-23 03:00:23. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Dealers -> Antiques -> Decorative-Arts

Years ago, before the introduction of plastics and resins, even animals’ indoor homes like antique bird cages were considered beautiful pieces of furniture. Of course, some were plain and utilitarian, but many more were actually created in the popular furniture styles of the times. Bird cages were designed to fit into the home’s aesthetic and enhance a room rather than stick out because they were different, or worse, be an eyesore.

Antique bird cages can be quite valuable, depending on the material, the style and the age. An important thing to remember about these cages is that years ago, materials were used that we know aren’t exactly healthy for pets today. Some cages may contain lead-based materials or paint that isn’t healthy for anyone, let alone the occupant of the cage. If you’re looking for a cage that’s not just for decoration, but will be home for your feathered friend, choose a modern cage. You can find bird cages today in many different styles and designs. Just look beyond your local pet shop or pet superstore to the more niche stores and you can find bird cages just as ornate as those from 100 years ago.

If you’re looking at antique bird cages as purely decorative and collectible items, then you can worry much less about the materials and concentrate on the design, instead. You can pay hundreds of dollars for some cages, so it pays to know what you’re looking for and how much you’re willing to spend before you start.

You can be eclectic and collect several different antique bird cages, representing many different styles and cultures, or you can focus on a particular country of origin, or furniture style. You might want to buy only those bird cages that look Georgian or Victorian, with ornate designs and scrolls popular in the furniture of the time. Or you might want only very exotic Tunisian-style bird cages with their recognizable shape and curvy wire design. Wooden bird cages that look like large mansions, or small ones with ornate wire and beadwork—it’s your choice, and you have lots of variety to choose from, especially if you search through online auctions.

Unfortunately, many auctions will say little other than “old bird cage” or “wooden bird cage, looks antique.” If antique bird cages don’t bear a manufacturer’s name, artist’s name or date, it can be difficult to tell how old they are, what materials were used, and even where they came from. Some styles are pretty obvious, as with most Asian bird cages, but other times it can be very difficult to tell a reproduction bird cage from an actual antique. And sometimes the country of origin is just a best guess depending on the style and materials.

Antique bird cages can be stunning pieces of art as well as interesting conversation pieces. In the end, you’ll want to purchase them for their beauty and how much they interest you, rather than their age or whether they’re made of wood or bronze.

Originally posted 2008-12-02 05:00:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Antiques -> Decorative-Arts

Gothic art refers to any art, whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, or some other medium, created from about the mid-12th century through the end of the 14th century. Art was still created over the next century that’s often called International Gothic, but this type of art was more secular and generally had a more natural style than the Gothic art produced during the preceding 200 hundred years. It’s those 200 years that are considered the span of the Gothic art movement. The last century of International Gothic eventually turned into the Renaissance period.

Gothic architecture that was often used in cathedrals was created during the same 200-year period as the art. France was the birthplace of Gothic art, with the change springing from changes in the Romanesque style of art. Sculptures, paintings, fresco and stained glass were some of the most popular mediums.

Gothic art began as sculptures of Christian icons, and then artwork telling Christian stories. Eventually the art style became popular in the secular world, with it being used to tell non-religious stories, as well. It was during the Gothic period that often artists were required to belong to some sort of artists’ trade guild. Recordkeeping for artists and their work was more detailed than ever before. More Gothic artists are known than from any of the previous eras. It was also during the Gothic period that some artist began regularly signing their names to their work.

Gothic sculpture became a huge part of the movement, and popularized the idea of sculptures of Saints and other figures in cathedrals and abbeys. The first building considered to have been created in the Gothic style is the abbey at St. Denis, built in the early 12th century. Other buildings followed, with the idea becoming popular in Germany and throughout the rest of Europe.

Paintings done in that style didn’t really start to appear for half a century after the sculptures became popular. And like with many era changes, there’s no one moment when it’s clear that the Romanesque style had been replaced with Gothic art—the change is gradual, with more animated expressions and body poses, and slightly more realistic ratios as far as size. Panel paintings and illuminated manuscripts represent a huge amount of Gothic paintings. Oil paintings on stretched canvas weren’t really popular until the Renaissance period that would follow.

For this reason, finding authentic Gothic art from the original period is very difficult, and very expensive. Most surviving art is in the form of illustrations and sculptures. For the avid collector, a dealer is probably the best way to find pieces, though some sellers on eBay tend to specialize and may be helpful.

Reproductions and a variety of types of art in that style have been created since the end of the movement, of course, and almost any kind of dark, fantasy or Celtic art today is often called Gothic. Some vintage Gothic art done in an authentic style created just 100 years ago can be quite valuable.

Originally posted 2008-12-27 14:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Some people falsely believe that the passion for accumulating a variety of antique treasures in an antique collection is an addiction, such as being a pack rat, but this is not actually true. The truth about going antiquing is that while it may be infectious, it is certainly not a disease and there is nothing wrong with having a passion for going out and looking for your favorite objects, especially since antiquing is a sure fire way for you to improve your mood. The feeling that stirs up our interest in going out looking for antiques is definitely a universal one among collectors. People who go out looking for collectibles are enjoying themselves, having a ball and feeling good all around.

A lot of people who regularly visit flea markets and other popular sources for collectibles meet a lot of other people who are just like them. These people enjoy the art of creating an antique collection so much that they actually become relaxed by it. Browsing through these second hand stores, flea markets and other places for antiquing collectibles is popular because it is an inexpensive habit and allows us to collect a wide variety of different things without spending an arm and a leg in order to do so.

Improving upon our mood while we are out hunting for treasures is not only a psychological thing because there is also a physiological explanation attached to it as well. Shopping has been considered to be therapy for many people, and buying antiques or starting an antique collection can prove to be a really beneficial form of therapy because just like exercise, shopping can boost the feel good chemicals that are associated with mood, such as the runners high, or how people feel who take Zoloft or Prozac. For some people, shopping for antiques is capable of providing a thrill that is capable of offsetting a bad mood. Finding things that are exciting can build tension, adding significantly to the thrill and making antique hunting even more enjoyable and therapeutic accordingly.

Hobbies can become boring when finding collectibles for an antique collection becomes too simple. This is one of the most prevalent reasons for why seasoned antique collectors choose to spice up their collections by consistently upgrading the collections that they have, looking for rare antiques and other pieces and constantly hunting for more. People have found that becoming more selective about what they purchase allows them to add a suitable level of challenge to the process. Collecting antiques such as antique furniture and antique home décor is an endeavor that should be fun, exciting and enjoyable.

Most collectors actually rarely ever become frustrated when it comes to finding things for their antique collection, because they have fun hunting for treasure, and enjoy the chase involved in finding the antiques that they seek. As long as you are being smart about your antiquing, there is nothing wrong with being a little bit of a pack rat, if it means bringing yourself pleasure and lifting your mood.

Photo Credits: rocket ship

Originally posted 2009-05-27 08:02:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Dealers -> Periods-Styles -> Victorian

Though its peak popularity was during the late 19th century in America, Victorian furniture still holds quite an appeal for many people today. This style of furniture is distinguishable by the time period in which it was created and the methods that were used. The name is given to furniture made during Queen Victoria’s reign from 1836 to 1901, though that time period actually gave way to different styles of furniture that all fell under the umbrella of “Victorian.”

Early Victorian furniture pieces were done in the Rococo style, which copied this period in France. This style is recognizable by the many intricate carvings in the wood. Extensive scrollwork, flowers and animals decorated the furniture—sometimes every inch of it. Scroll feet were very popular in these Rococo revival pieces, as were cabriole legs, which were legs shaped almost like an ‘S.’ Rococo pieces were ornate in a way not commonly seen in American furniture, but these pieces became very popular in American homes.

The newly created mechanical tools that allowed these ornate scrolls and carvings were responsible for much of the intricacy of early Victorian furniture, as was craftsmen’s new ability to used laminated wood. During lamination, one-inch thick stripes of rosewood were glued together to make wood that was 6 to 18 layers thick. Solid wood wasn’t the best medium for detailed engravings and carvings, but the lamination procedure lent itself well to the rococo style.

This Victorian furniture also marked the first time furniture was sold in America in sets, with matching pieces, and the first time furniture was mass produced. Though rococo style is probably the most recognizable style of furniture from this era, gothic style was popular too, with its more medieval look. Most gothic revival Victorian pieces were produced from about 1840 to 1865. Renaissance revival style reigned from about 1860 to 1875, with highly polished and parquet patterned furniture, often featuring brass findings and ornaments to give it a distinctive style.

Victorian furniture was popular in every room of the home, from the bedroom to the dining room, and still enjoys popularity today with antique lovers and interior decorators. Antique pieces can range in price from the reasonable to the expensive, depending on the rarity of the style and the condition of the furniture. If you find an antique piece for sale, be sure to ask whether or not is has been refinished or reupholstered as you’ll want to purchase furniture as close to its original condition as possible to make a good investment.

If it’s the beauty of Victorian furniture you’re after more than the value, then these things matter less. You might even want to look into reproductions. Either way, be sure that the joints are sturdy and the item is in overall decent condition. A refinished and reupholstered piece of this furniture can look gorgeous in your home, so if you don’t mind doing that yourself or having it done, a piece in less than perfect condition might be a great purchase for you.

Originally posted 2008-12-06 14:00:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter