September 27th, 2009 — Antique, Antiquities, Collectible Mantel Clocks
Many people have a fondness for timepieces of all varieties, but collectible mantel clocks hold a special place in many collectors’ hearts Perhaps because mantel clocks were placed on mantels above fireplaces years ago, in the eras before electricity and digital clocks with their beeping and flashing. Something about a key wound clock that keeps time manually has a a certain charm. And fireplaces give the sense of coziness and warmth and bring to mind easy hours in front of a fire.
Around the year 1500, Peter Henlein invented a spring operated clock in Nuremburg, Germany. Now every household could have an accurate timepiece, with the first mantel clocks created in France in the middle of the 18th century. The mantel clock itself became very popular right away in France, because most large French manors had more than one fireplace, and the mantle was simply a handy place to place a clock, as the set up of most rooms focused inhabitants attention on the fireplace area, and it was a common place to gather for warmth. Collectible mantel clocks following this ear usually came with a pair of ornaments designed to go on each side of the clock that matched its deign in some way, until this went out of vogue in the 20th century.
While collectible mantel clocks are generally placed on a mantle, they also look nice on end tables, study desks, counter tops and any surface that needs an accessory. Some popular styles of mantel clocks basically define their shapes rather than their construction. Tambour style clocks are drum shaped with a wide base, arch style clothes are arched at the top with a narrow base, carriage and bracketed clocks are different only in that the carriage cocks generally have a handle on top. Nautical mantel clocks bear nautical designs and the designs on the face give it a nautical appearance.
Another type of collectible mantel clocks that are very popular are anniversary clocks. Typically glass and dome-shaped, the clock can run for one year without winding or changing the battery. Collectible mantel clocks can either be battery-operated or key wound. Many who prefer mantel clocks to other types of clocks prefer the key wound variety because it brings to mind an earlier more simple time. Key wound clocks typically have 3 holes in the dial which makes them easy to distinguish from quartz battery operated clocks.
Collectible mantel clocks can add charm to your room and are available in a variety of shapes, styles and finishes. You can find these clocks in a variety of places, though the more unique collectible and antique mantel clocks can probably be found in stores that specialize in clocks, or on eBay where you can look at browse from sellers all over the world. Be sure to establish that the clock is in good working order before you buy it, and find the age of the clock if you can to determine whether or not it might be an antique.
Originally posted 2008-11-04 05:00:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 26th, 2009 — Antique, Antique Doors, Furnishings
Antique doors have much to offer the private collector and many of these, depending on the materials used, and the designer may actually be worth quite a lot of money. Whether you are looking for a collectible that you can put to good use right in your own home, or you are seeking an antique door to complete a period house, there are many different types of doors available.
Pocket Doors
These were very popular in the Victorian era and were commonly used to separate parlors and dining areas from the rest of the house. Typically made of wood and highly ornate, they would slip into a recess in the wall when they were not in use. If you do plan to purchase pocket antique doors to use in your home, be advised you will need to have a niche carved out of your wall and a track system installed in order for it to work properly.
Stained Glass Window Doors
During the arts and crafts period and particularly several hundred years before that era took place, having stained glass windows in doors was incredibly popular. The antique doors you can find today range from simple and elegant to incredibly ornate. The stained glass may even be worth a small fortune in its own right. These doors can add value to any home and they are a beautiful example of craftsmanship.
Carved Doors
The Victorian era and the preceding eras brought us ornate carved wooden antique doors and many of these are still available today. Typically quite large and heavy, some range over twelve feet high, depending on the house where they were installed. These are a beautiful collectible and many are very valuable, especially the ones that are more ornate.
Bar Doors
Believe it or not bar doors, or saloon doors as they were commonly called are actually very popular. These swinging antique doors may have once graced a saloon from the 1800’s when the west was wild. These are a fun collectible, and very useful if you want to block your kitchen off from the rent of the house, but don’t want to go to the trouble of installing a brand new door system.
French Doors
A common fixture in homes in the South and throughout Europe, French doors are a great collectible to have if you are interested in antique doors. Many will still have their original glass panes still intact. These are a great solution for homes where the owner needs to block off a room from the rest of the house without breaking up the visual flow. Commonly, these are used in bedrooms, dens and offices.
These are just a few examples of the types of antique doors you can find today. Head on over to a second hand store, a garage sale or you can go online to find some great deals and rare finds. You never know what you may come across and you may end up with a very valuable antique door.
Originally posted 2008-09-27 05:29:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 16th, 2009 — Antique Chinese Parrot, Asian Antiques, Chinese Antiques
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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September 7th, 2009 — Antique, Fabrics, Linens, Vintage Wedding Dress
Many people today want to wear a vintage wedding dress when they get married. Vintage clothing in general has become hugely popular. You can purchase actually vintage clothing in various states of wear, vintage fabric which to make clothing from, or reproduction vintage clothing made from new fabric in old-fashioned styles and designs. A good place to find vintage clothing of all types, including wedding dresses, is eBay. The drawback to purchasing clothing from an online auction, though, is the inability to try the item on for a good fit before purchasing, and most clothing sellers don’t accept returns, especially if they’ve given detailed measurements in the auction to help people determine whether an item will fit or not.
If you decide to purchase a vintage wedding dress from an auction, read the measurements and any other available information. Unless you’ve measured yourself very recently, measure again just to be sure. When purchasing vintage clothing of any kind, you’ll want to ask the seller questions, whether you’re trying the item on in their shop or purchasing it online.
Even if you don’t want to purchase a vintage wedding dress online and instead want the convenience of trying it on first, you should search online for vintage items to learn more about the different styles and time periods available, and the general cost of items like the one you’re looking for. This can help you from paying far too much for a wedding dress, and help educate you about which styles were most popular during the era from which you’d like to find a dress.
A vintage wedding dress from the 1930s, for instance, is more likely to have detachable train than dresses from other eras, so the bride could wear the dress as an evening gown after the wedding. The sleeves were typically long and tapered, and often the satin gowns were buttoned down the back. Netting and frills became popular in the 1940s, as were hidden zippers and buttons and loops, rather than the long line of back-buttons. Tapered sleeves with the point extending over the top of the hand were also in vogue.
A vintage wedding dress from the 1950s is more likely to have extensive lacework and a long train, while the wedding dresses from the 1960s reflected the movement toward nature and simplicity, with dresses more often ankle-length, and even mini-skirt length.
When you decide which era you prefer in your vintage wedding dress, something else to consider is the state of the dress. Is it ready for you to wear down the aisle? (Or display, if you’re purchasing as purely a collector’s item?) Can it be altered? Some vintage dresses don’t lend themselves to alterations very well, because they were often made for one specific person, rather than purchased from a shop and altered as is common today. Also, look into the cost of cleaning your vintage wedding dress as the cost of archival cleaning could actually be more than you pay for the dress itself.
Originally posted 2008-10-23 05:00:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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