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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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.

Photo Credits: uwdigitalcollections

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

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