September 12th, 2009 — Antique, Collectible, Curio Cabinet, Furnishings
A curio cabinet is a piece of furniture that encompasses so many different varieties that it’s hard to sum up in a short space. The thing each one has in common is that it allows for “curios” to be displayed. Knick-knacks, trinkets, collectibles and other small, and sometimes fairly large, items can be displayed in a curio cabinet. Some will have glass fronts on the doors so that the items are protected from dust while on display, in fact most will have some sort of glass-fronted display on at least part of the cabinet. Others have open shelves, or some open areas for trinkets alone with the glass-covered main portion of the cabinet.
If you’re looking to buy a curio cabinet, obviously you can look for an antique or vintage cabinet in antique shops or flea markets, or maybe even yard sales. Often people won’t realize that fine piece of furniture might be valuable and worth hanging onto simply because they’re tired of it and want something new. Online auctions like eBay are a great place to look for a curio cabinet because you’ll find such a wide variety of different sizes, shapes and styles there at one time, instead of being limited to the few you might find in an antique shop each time you visit.
And you have the option of purchasing a new curio cabinet through a store or eBay as well. The newer cabinets are sometimes made to look like a brand new, modern piece of furniture and other times they’re made to look as vintage as possible. Very cheaply made curio cabinets don’t seem to reach for either of those, they’re simply cheap or pressed wood cabinets that allow for display, with very little character as a stand alone piece of furniture.
The best way to approach the purchase of a curio cabinet is first to decide what you’ll do with it. If you already have a collection you want to display, that will narrow down your choices and make it easier. Plan where you’ll put the cabinet. Then you’ll know about how large the cabinet needs to be and how much room it will need to have in order to display your collection. Then you’ll need to decide between vintage or new, depending on your personal tastes.
If you want a curio cabinet for its own beauty, then you’ll almost always want to shop for a vintage cabinet. Many of these cabinets, even though they might be well over 100 years old, were display pieces in their own right, quite beautiful even before the knick-knacks were added to them. If it’s the appearance of a fine, vintage piece of furniture you’re after, then the size and shape of the cabinet will be less important to you. Decide where the cabinet will go in your home and you’ll know whether you want a short, small cabinet or a large, tall one with lots of room for your favorite collectibles to be displayed.
Originally posted 2008-11-19 05:00:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 8th, 2009 — Antique, Antiquities, Barrister Bookcase, Furniture
Patented in 1892, a barrister bookcase is a special type of bookcase that’s enclosed with clear glass covering the front, differentiating it from a typical open-shelf bookcase. These bookcases got their start in the UK, but became popular worldwide because of their unique stackable design. Dust within is minimized by the glass front, protecting the books and items inside. Special tempered glass can even be used to block most light, making these bookcases ideal for antique books as they can minimize the slow damage that comes with age like fading and cracking.
Antique barrister bookcases range in price a great deal, depending on the manufacturer, the age of the case itself, the glass and hardware used, and the wood. The first bookcases of this type were created by the Globe Wernicke Co. so these are some of the most valuable pieces, and if they were cared for properly, they can still be displayed and used today.
Barrister bookcases were made in a wide variety of styles, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find one or several that suit your tastes. You can find antique barrister bookcases in antique shops, maybe even flea markets and variety shops, or you can search online for dealers and for sales on auction sites like eBay. You’ll want to ask whether or not the piece has been refinished, and where the piece came from. Unlike with most antiques, a refinished barrister bookcase doesn’t necessarily drop in value. It’s always best to find one that’s been refinished and is in good condition, than one that’s in bad shape.
To make sure the barrister bookcase you’re looking at is an authentic original case, check for the manufacturer’s label on the back of each section. Each section will have metal side bands—they should be there, and you should ask if they’re the original metal pieces or whether they’ve been replaced. Again, replacement is not bad necessarily, as long as the piece is in good shape.
Also, ask about glass replacement. Antique barrister bookcases used a glass with a distinctive look. Stand next to the piece and look at the glass. If it doesn’t have a slightly wavy or rippled appearance, it’s either not the original glass, or the case itself isn’t really an antique. If you can’t see the piece, such as with an online purchase, ask the seller these questions so that if you get the piece and its not what you’re looking for you have to reasons to cite for the return.
While antique barrister bookcases can be pricey, you can get the same look with modern reproductions, if the history of the piece itself isn’t important to you. Many companies manufacturer barrister bookcases today, in styles that look antique, and those that look pulled right out of a modern home. Choosing new or antique is up to your preferences, but keep in mind that the antique barrister bookcases benefit from quality construction and craftsmanship that’s already allowed them to last up to 100 years.
Originally posted 2008-11-12 14:00:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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