Antiquess -> Antiquities -> Neolithic, Paleolithic

Although the first thing that springs to mind in many people when the term French antiques is mentioned is Louis XVI furniture, there are numerous antiquities from this region that are incredibly valuable. France was the site of some of the first Paleolithic peoples and they left behind many different antiquities and interesting artifacts that are highly collectible.

The location of France made it the prime place for these early peoples to live. It was close to water, the terrain was not terribly difficult to cross and the area was quite lush. During this time period many monoliths were constructed, but few know their exact origins. This is a time of mystery for many people, but scientists can use French antiques from this time period to learn more about these people.

Whether it’s a piece of pottery, a drawing on a cliff side or the leavings of an entire village, French antiques from this time period open up the doors and let in light on this unique time in history. Without these antiquities, much of what we now know about the ancient world would have never been discovered. Although other French antiques are certainly valuable, beautiful and interesting, for many it is the antiquities that tell the whole story.

Many of these priceless French antiques are stored at the Louvre, or in other museums across the world. However, there are many private collectors that are quietly building up massive collections of these priceless items. If you are interested in history, or you are just looking for a unique collectible that is unlike any other, you may want to think about investing in one of these antiquities.

French antiques from this time period are not easy to find however, and it may take some time to build up your collection. The best place to start is by looking at high end auction houses to see if they are going to include any of these items in an upcoming auction. These are the places that the high end collectors will go when they need to sell off an item, or reduce the size of their collection.

In many cases, shopping at one of these auctions will give you access to world class French antiques that cannot be purchased anywhere else. The next time you see one of these auctions advertised, take the time to look through the catalog. You never know what incredible finds you may come across.

There is always controversy over private collectors having access to French antiques from this time period, but without their efforts, many of these items would have been lost to natural disasters or wars. No matter what side of the issue you belong on, everyone can agree that there is a market for antiquities from this time period. You can decide to loan yours out to a museum after finding it, or keep it for yourself, but you will get the rare change to own a real piece of ancient history and hold it right in your hand.

Photo Credits: Le Petit Poulailler

Originally posted 2008-09-22 05:00:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Antiques -> Furniture -> Benches, Stools: 1800-1899, 1900-1950, Post 1950

One great way to add function and beauty to any home is by purchasing a unique antique bench. There are many different types of collectible benches that can be found in antique stores around the world, but it is important to know what you’re looking for so that you can certain you are getting a true antique and not just a run of the mill bench. Here’s what you need to watch out for.

1. Is there a story with the bench?
Most small town antique stores will be staffed with knowledgeable people that know the history of the items that the sell. You can also find this with online antique auctions, especially if you are dealing with the actual owner of the bench. The more history there is behind the item, the greater your chances are of discovering a great antique.

2. Are there any maker’s marks or signatures on the piece?
Furniture artisans would typically sign their pieces and this is a true mark of an original and collectible bench. Always search the underside and underneath the arms to see if you can find any seal or sort of mark that was left behind by the furniture maker. Not finding one doesn’t necessarily mean that you are not dealing with an antique, but it could mean that the antique bench may not be that valuable.

3. Look at the style of the piece?
Is it too perfect? Is it too modern looking? You can tell a lot about an antique bench just by looking at it. If it is too perfect, that could be a sign that it is a reproduction. Even the best handmade antique benches will have some flaw since they are made by real people and by hand. True perfection may be a sign that the bench was made by machine or constructed recently.

The same is true of the style of the bench. If it is not consistent with the era that the seller is claiming, then you have a major warning sign that it may not be an actual antique. It’s not very difficult to take a new bench and distress its finish to make it look older than it actually is, but the style is always a dead giveaway. It’s best to read through old furniture books to get an idea of the time periods and styles.

4. When in doubt get an appraisal.
If the seller is asking a lot of money for an antique bench, your best bet is to get it appraised. This will help you determine the authenticity with a lot greater accuracy. If the asking price is relatively low, you should be able to skip this step, especially if you truly like the antique bench and are more interested in it for aesthetics than as a collectible.

Remember, when buying antique benches it is best to do all that you can to make sure that they are authentic. Otherwise, you can end up with a very nice bench that really isn’t worth all that much.

Photo Credits: David.R.Carroll

Originally posted 2008-08-13 05:00:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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