January 20th, 2012 — Antique, Antique Door Lock, Antique 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.
Photo Credits: AdamCaudill
Originally posted 2008-10-30 05:00:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 18th, 2012 — Antique, Antique School Table, Antiquities, Furniture
If you’re looking for antique furniture like an antique school table or desk, one great place to find these items is estate auctions. While you can find antique furniture in online auctions like eBay, you need to be very savvy about the purchases you make–just because something looks antique doesn’t mean it is. There are entire stores where you can purchase antique reproductions, after all, and own something brand new that looks like it was crafted 100 years ago. So those auctions that claim to be for antique furniture and antique school desks should be able to offer more than just the claim of “antique” to prove that the item really is an authentic antique.
Your reasons for wanting to find an antique school table have much to do with how you should go about purchasing one. If it’s merely the look you’re after, a certain style or type of manufacture, then you might decide to buy a reproduction. Reproduction antiques are less expensive and have an appearance very similar to the originals they’re modeled after. If it’s a sentimental quest because you remember how something looked or felt, or because maybe a grandparent or older relative had one that has become lost and you’d like to have that same piece, consider purchasing a reproduction.
But if you’re set on a real antique school table, then you’re going to need to do some homework. You can probably walk into most antique stores today and find something to suit you, but if you’d rather pay less than the antique store price and enjoy the hunt for a piece that speaks to you personally rather than just purchasing what happens to be available in the store, then you need to shop around for some time before purchasing so that you can do a price check.
Visit many antique stores to get a feel of the average cost of an antique school table. While some stores might not have one, you’re sure to find at least a few. And even if they’re not exactly the item you’re looking for they should be similar in price to the one you’re hoping to find. This will help you know how much cost you’ll probably look at when you find the piece you want.
It will also help you become more familiar with the look of an authentic antique school table. Sometimes during estate auctions or even in online auctions, you’ll see piece for sale that looks antique but you’re not sure, and it seems the seller really doesn’t know that much background about the piece. That doesn’t necessarily mean the seller or auctioneer is trying to cheat you by passing off something too new as an antique. Often, the history of antique pieces, especially antique furniture, becomes muddied through the years.
Become familiar with the look, and you might spot an antique school table when no one else recognizes the treasure. Beware of refinished furniture unless the purchase is purely sentimental. Refinishing often completely destroys the antique value of the item.
Photo Credits: gabyu
Originally posted 2008-10-21 14:00:34. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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