Antiquing

People who have been antique shopping for years know that if you are going to go out shopping in search of antiques, then you should absolutely stick to the antique shops that are still true to the business. What this means is that you should be sticking to the antique shops that care about the antiques, rather than simply turning a quick buck for what they feel is a bunch of old junk. You should be enjoying yourself when you go antique shopping, which means avoiding junky flea markets may be a good idea unless you really love a challenge.

You are definitely going to find a challenge when you go antique shopping in a flea market. You will find trash, you will find treasure, but most importantly of all, when you go antique shopping in this manner you will find plenty of fun. High end antiquing may be the way to go when you are a serious antique collector, but if you are into antique shopping for having fun, then toss your stuffy collar out and hit the trashiest, messiest and most disorganized flea markets and see what you can find. After all, antique shopping should be fun, enjoyable and therapeutic above all else, right?

If you are a serious collector and you are going antique shopping, then it would be wise for you to bone up on the things that you are interested in collecting. If you are not well versed in what you are doing when you go antique shopping, then bring a Kovels guide with you so that you do not end up buying something worthless, or passing up something priceless. Going antique shopping should be about enjoying yourself, that is a fact. Going antique shopping should also be about netting the right antiques however. This does not necessarily mean the most priceless, but it does means the ones that mean the most to you and benefit you the best.

There are a wide variety of truly excellent books, guides and resources available that you can bring with you when you go antique shopping. The local library is definitely going to be a good place for you to get the ball rolling. There are a number of excellent reference books for going antique shopping that you can look at if you want a broad range of the types of collectibles and antiques that are available. Specific books on specific antiques will also benefit you if there is a specific type of antiques that you are looking for when you go antique shopping.

Having fun when you go antique shopping is all about buying it when you like it. Buy any random item that you like as long as you have space for it, and as long as you are enjoying yourself in the process. This is what antique shopping is really all about.

Photo Credits: Dia™

Originally posted 2009-07-21 05:14:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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You already know that an antique is something that is no less than 100 years old, but how exactly can you be certain that the particular piece you are looking at was truly crafted that long ago? Learning to identify antiques is not difficult, it just takes a little bit of know how and understanding of what qualities make an antique an antique.

Regardless if you are not sure of the age of a piece, want to check the accuracy of an age claim, or wish to be certain the antique has all of its original parts, there are various nuances that should stick out to you. Ask these questions of yourself in order to determine whether or not the item that you are dealing with is in fact an antique.

Question #1 - Is the piece in question made out of materials that are uncommonly or even rarely ever used in modern day production?

Question #2 - Do the details on the piece in question appear to be hand painted, or does it seem as if they were created by a machine?

Question #3 – Does the particular style of the piece in question reflect a certain period of time that may give away hints as to its origin?

Question #4 – For items that are made out of wood, how thick are the pieces of veneer? In general, older veneer is going to be significantly thicker than modern day veneer.

Question #5 – Does the piece that is in question happen to possess nails that are irregularly shaped, or pegs that are squared off? These are characteristics that are reminiscent of times long past.

Question #6 – For items that are used as tables, is the item’s under side lighter in comparison to the top? Antique tables should have lighter undersides.

Question #7 – If there are any carvings or details on the piece, look to see if they are all identical as this will help you determine whether they were done by hand or if they are reminiscent of work from a machine.

Question #8 – When appraising a wooden item, you should check to see if there is darker wood around all of the hardware, indicating that the hardware is original. When the shadows are inconsistent with the current hardware, that should tell you that the current hardware is not the original hardware.

Question #9 – Finally, is there any dirt in the crevices of the piece that has always been hard for you to clean?

You should remember that items that are 100 years old are always going to show their age no matter how well kept they were. Slight wear, even when an item is in top condition, is completely understandable.

Photo Credits: Lynn (Gracie’s mom) – I’m here…

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One thing that you will know if you are interested in antiquing is that there are antique shops located all over the world. When people think of antiques and antiquing, what they think about is buying items that and then hoping someday that they will gain value. When it comes to buying things that will go up in value, antiquing is generally a good way to go. Not only are there antique shops in virtually every city, but these days you an also find plenty of antique shops online as well. If a person happens to be looking for a particular antique, one of the best things that they can do is visit online antique shops to see what they can find. They should consider using the internet as one of the resources that they turn to when looking for particular antiques.

Antiques are an excellent source of enjoyment for many people. The easier that it becomes for people to find the antiques they are looking for, the more enjoyable the process can become for people. This is why antique shops online are making such a splash, because they are opening up new avenues for people to find the antique goods that they are looking for. There are a wide variety of different antique shops available online that make it significantly easier for people to find the antiques that they are looking for, rather than requiring them to go from shop to shop in search of a single item that they cannot locate.

Some antique shops online serve as directories, helping people find the antiques in their area by putting in their zip code and keywords that relate to their search. Some of these antique shops also provide discussion forums, chat rooms and other avenues for communication so that people can buy, sell, trade and talk about their favorite antiques with other people from all over the world. If you are looking for an antique item in this day and age, then one of the greatest things you can do is to check out antique shops online to see what they have to offer. If you are willing to do some basic shopping around, then you should have no trouble finding what you are looking for, because there really is an endless supply of antique shops online for you to peruse.

Finding the right antique shops can be exhausting if you do not live in a big city with a lot of antiquing action. Why should you miss out on all the fun? If you are interested in checking out new and interesting antique shops but you cannot find any in your area, give some consideration to online antique shops. They are an excellent way for you to get with the current times, finding the things you need by way of the information super highway in order to save time, effort, energy and even money in some circumstances as well.

Originally posted 2009-06-13 11:17:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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It may be difficult for you to understand why anyone would want to give away or to sell their family photographs, but just as there are people that are willing to sell their family photography, there are also people out there who are interested in buying up these old antique photographs even though they are of complete strangers. There are people that are collecting antique photography, and they are actually just as diverse as the images that they are collecting. This is an excellent example of the old adage “One man’s junk is another’s treasure”. This is an adage that surfaces often in the field of collecting and antiquing, and collecting antique photography is certainly no exception to the rule.

It is important for you to keep in mind that antique photography can be sold both as art and as antiques. Rare pictures are typically considered to be art rather than as antiques, where as more common images are going to fit into the antiques category rather than as art. Knowing which is going to be which is unfortunately going to require that you do some research.

Many collectors of antique photography are drawn to a specific subject matter, such as antique photography featuring children, antique photography featuring landscapes, antique photography featuring special events and so on and so forth. Others choose to collect antique photography because it allows them to build a connection with places, people and events from the past. Some people look at antique photography with an artist’s eye, marveling at the quality and the effects of the images that were composed in the past using bulky and rudimentary equipment.

Just with any field of collecting, some people who get into antique photography do so because they have an eye on the concept of investing. They are hoping, after all, to cash in on this field of collecting which has gained popularity in the past 30 years or so. It is extremely important for you to understand different types of antique photography and what equipment was used to take those photographs in order to get the most out of a collection of antique photography.

For example, Daguerreotypes involve producing an image on a copper plate coated with silver. They are the earliest of all photographic images and were first produced in 1839. The Ambrotype is a negative image that was produced using a glass plate and it was introduced in 1854, but it was passé by 1865. In 1856 there were Tintypes, but they had waned in popularity by the time that 1867 rolled around. They were still seen in a number of different forms until as late as the year 1930 however. Often the subject of these images gives way to their true age.

Photo Credits: BL1961

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Dealers -> Furniture -> Desks

When you’re shopping for antique desks, a secretary desk is just one of the many different styles of furniture you’ll find. There are standard desks, of course, elaborate (and now amazingly expensive) Wooten desks, old rolltop desks and variations on all of those. How do you tell the difference between these types of desks and secretary desks?

A secretary desk is distinctive from all these, even though it does have similarities to them all, because of the way the writing area is disguised when the desk is not in use. When the area is covered and the desk is closed, it’s closed off by a piece of flat wood that usually sit an angle when it’s closed. Sometimes this angle is as much as 45 degrees. The rolltop desk has the cover that actually rolls up into the desk, and the Wooten desk very rarely has a flat front, the front is usually curved, carved and very elaborate.

The size of a secretary desk can vary a great deal. The more modern reproductions or even less antique secretary desks tend to be smaller than the ones a hundred years old or more. Many of these desk are quite tall and very heavy. Newer ones might even be built in such a way that they can easily be taken apart, but antique desks were built solidly as a single piece of furniture meant to stay together for hundreds of years.

The hinged panel that hides the open area within the desk actually creates the actual writing surface. There are typically wide drawers on a secretary desk, and sometimes small drawers and small cubbies on the piece of furniture as well, to allow storage for a variety of different items. Older secretary desks might have a tall bookcase above the writing area or even a glassed-in bookcase or set of shelves. The top of these desks often look more like a china cabinet or a curio cabinet than anything belonging on a desk, and when the desk area is closed, it does often look like nothing more than a piece of display furniture.

Unlike a rolltop desk or other type of desk where the panel slides into the desk, everything must be removed from the writing area in order to close the desk, which makes the needs for the drawers and cubbies apparent. While a Wooten desk is similar to a secretary desk, a secretary desk has a more plain appearance. It will look more like a nice curio cabinet, china cabinet or even armoire or dresser on top, with drawers and the hidden work surface below.

Wooten desks are similar to these desks but they simply have a more fancy appearance—and typically sell for thousands of dollars. Secretary desks are the most prevalent type of antique desk available today, a type of desk once so popular it was commonly referred to as simply “a secretary.” You can find an antique secretary desk in antique shops, at flea markets and in online auctions like eBay.

Originally posted 2008-11-15 05:00:05. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Antiques -> Architectural & Garden -> Doors

The look of antique furniture and hardware can lend such old-fashioned charm to a room, so it’s no wonder than an antique door lock is a popular item that can look great in all but the most modern décor. Someone searching for this specific type of antique hardware may be in for a few challenges, but you have choices between the actual antique pieces themselves or very authentic reproduction pieces that probably cost a fraction of the price and are more readily available. Replicas also automatically come in good, working condition without the problems that can be found in some antique locks like rust and wear.

One of the most important things you need to do before you purchase an antique door lock is to know the measurements of your door, and the size of your current doorknob. You’ll need to do a lot of research to find locks that match the style and finish you have in mind. Find some examples online and print the photos for reference, especially if you plan on shopping locally and/or in person rather than online. Cruise collector and antique sites and you’ll probably find people with similar interests, maybe even looking for the same type of lock you are. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find someone who has purchased one and installed it, and can give you advice from experience to make the process easier for you.

It’s important to know the kind of door you have and whether an antique door lock of your choice will even work with your door. Sometimes it’s necessary to replace your door with something that will work. If you don’t want to go that far, then research antique locks a little more and you’ll probably find hardware and fittings that are very close to your original vision that will work with your existing set-up and fit into your budget. The compromise will likely be minimal.

Places like Craigslist for your area and online auctions, specifically eBay, are a great place to look for antiques, especially if you don’t live in an area with a wide variety of antique and vintage shops to choose from. Don’t just search on the term “antique” though, or you’ll be faced with thousands of choices. Try “antique door lock” and then narrow it down from within those results to the specific type you’re looking for. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t find it at first. Auctions are dynamic, with new ones going up every day. Keep trying.

Call ahead to antique shops, especially those that are quite a drive, to see if they have what you’re looking for. Know exactly your desired design and finish to make your searching easier, both in person and online. If you can’t find the exact antique door lock you want or it turns out to be more than your budget can bear, replica and reproduction door locks are a popular choice. Many of the reproductions can’t be distinguished from the originals with anything less than a thorough examination.

Originally posted 2008-10-30 05:00:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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