Antiquing

Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Lamps

There is a huge market right now for collectible antique lamps and these functional decorative collectibles can brighten any home. If you’re looking for a collectible that is not only beautiful but also functional, antique lamps are the perfect answer. There are literally hundreds of thousands of these currently on the market and you should be able to find one that matches your tastes quite easily. Here’s a quick buying guide to get you started.

1. Does the lamp still work?

While this shouldn’t be a deal break since lamps are easy enough to repair, it is important to find out if the antique lamp is still in working condition. Remember, restoring or fixing an antique can impact its overall value, especially if you have to use brand new parts to get the job done. Ideally, an antique lamp should work, but you may want to have it checked out by a professional, depending on the age of the lamp, to make sure that it is safe to run in your home.

2. How old is the lamp?

This is a big issue when it comes to running the lamp on your standard house electricity. Some older antique lamps should probably only be used as decorative objects since they may be unsafe to plug in. Again, getting an expert opinion on this is probably necessary to make sure that you are dealing with a lamp that is safe to use as well as pretty to look at.

3. Does the lamp have any interesting history?

Antique lamps are great for conversation starters and it always helps to find out if there is an interesting history behind the lamp. This shouldn’t necessarily be something that would convince or keep you from buying, but it is information that is nice to have. In fact, in many cases, a lamp with a better history will actually be worth more money than one that does not have a known origin.

4. Is the cord in good condition?

We really can’t stress safety enough when it comes to antique lamps. Our other points covered whether the lamp still works, but you should also consider the state of the power cord before making your purchase. Antique lamps will commonly have older cords that may be frayed. These can easily be replaced, but doing so may lower the value of the lamp.

5. How many lamps of that type were made?

This is a question that any serious collector of antique lamps should ask. If you are looking for an investment in a collectible, it’s always important to find out just how many were made since this can greatly impact the overall value of the item, both real and perceived.

Antique lamps are a great collectible and many people prefer this type since they are actually quite useful in the home. Just remember to put safety first before purchasing and using an antique lamp in your home to avoid fire and electrical hazards.

Originally posted 2008-09-14 14:00:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Antiques -> Asian -> Chinese

If you are interested in a unique Asian collectible that is sure to get plenty of discussions going, antique Chinese parrots are an excellent choice. These delightful decorative collectibles come in many different shapes and styles and many are vibrantly colored and well designed. Most antique Chinese parrots are hand painted and very detailed works of art that can enhance any personal collection. Before you start collecting antique parrots, here is what you need to know.

1. Authenticity is key

While decorative collectibles are fun to look at it, if you’re in this business to acquire valuable pieces of art, authenticity is definitely key. There are a lot of mass produced collectibles out there that are pretty, but have no value above their sticker price. When you want to buy authentic antique Chinese collectibles, make sure that they are authentic. You can do this by hiring an appraiser, or by looking for special maker’s marks on the bottom of the piece.

Condition is important

Chipped or cracked collectibles instantly lose their value. If you are buying an antique Chinese parrot online, make sure that the seller provides you with many different pictures that cover all the angles of the piece. If you can’t see the item well, ask for a clearer picture. This is the best way to make sure that you are getting a piece that is in good condition. If you are shopping in person, hold the piece up the light and take the time to really examine it. This can mean the difference between a collectible that is worth thousands, or one that is worth $5.

Look for certain eras

Antique Chinese parrots were more popular during some eras in Chinese history than others. It pays to do your research on the different dynasties and learn how the various parrots were produced during each era. This will help you build a collection that is either based around design similarity or that is based by era. If you are serious about building a specific collection around a dynasty, this is a very important step to take.

Look for fading paint

This is natural, especially with older antique Chinese parrots, but it can have an impact on the overall value of the piece. Ideally, you should be looking for one that is in near perfect condition. One of the easiest ways to tell the age of a piece is to look for how worn the paint is. This is probably the one time where the condition may not count against the piece. If there is a small area of worn paint, that should not impact the value too much. However, a piece that is very faded may need to be restored. This can have an adverse effect on the value.

Collecting antique Chinese parrots can be fun and educational. These brightly colored pieces have a lot of history and are at home in any place or private collection where antiques are appreciated and loved.

Originally posted 2008-10-03 05:00:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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