Antiques -> Decorative Arts

Tiffany lamps offer collectors a chance not only to find something valuable but also a collector’s piece that is functional and beautiful. If you are looking for a piece that will enhance your home as well as your bottom line, then this is definitely a collectible to consider. However, there are a few things that you need to know before you purchase a Tiffany lamp.

1. Don’t be Fooled by Fakes
Reproductions are incredibly common. The term Tiffany lamp refers to two very different things. The first means that it was a design made by the actual Louis C. Tiffany. The second refers to the general style of these lamps, in that they have stained glass shades and sturdy bases. The first is incredibly valuable, the second may be expensive, but is not an actual collector’s item.

2. Look for the Mark
A genuine Tiffany lamp that was designed by Louis C. Tiffany will contain his mark, which was LCT. Look for this on the lamp’s base, or possibly on the shade, depending on which year it was made. Some authentic Tiffany lamps will actually have a small paper label, while others will contain his full name and a reference number. These are the most desirable. However, this is usually not enough to tell if a Tiffany lamp is genuine.

3. Solder Matters
Pay attention to the solder on the shade of a Tiffany lamp. A brand new reproduction will often have solder that is either incredibly perfect, or poorly done, depending on the origin of the piece. A real Tiffany lamp will usually have solder that has a few mistakes, making it a bit imperfect. That is actually part of its charm, and part of Louis C. Tiffany’s philosophy, where the look of the glass mattered more to him than the technical part of putting it together.

4. Look for surface decorations
Many of Louis C. Tiffany’s lamps were devoid of surface decorations, again because he preferred to let the beauty of the glass speak for the lamp. The bases for these Tiffany lamps may not be as intricate as today’s models, and were generally more functional.

5. Buyer Beware
Thanks to today’s technology it is very easy to produce a fake Tiffany lamp. Above all, collectors should remember that if a price appears to be too good to be true, it usually is. In fact, some of the best designs that were made by Tiffany were never actually marked and were intended to be gifts for his friends and employees. While you can use the above criteria to assist you, it should not be the final word on whether or not a lamp is authentic.

The best solution is to shop for a Tiffany lamp from a reputable dealer that has built up a solid reputation of providing original Tiffany lamps. Avoid overly low prices and remember, that sometimes, it’s all about the beauty of the glass – just like Tiffany believed. If you like a lamp and find that it is beautiful, not being able to authenticate it shouldn’t keep you from enjoying it, just as long as you understand that it may not have value beyond it’s actual beauty.

Photo Credits: Beesnest McClain

Originally posted 2008-08-15 05:00:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Some people choose to go about collecting wine to earn money, and other people get into the art of collecting wine just because they are passionate about wine. It does not matter why you are collecting, for profit or for pleasure, the art of collecting wine is one that requires a bit of an investment in order for you to get started. Enjoying it and collecting it are two very different things, and you need to understand this if you want to get the most out of the art.

When it comes to the art of collecting wine, one of the most vitally important things that you are going to want to consider is where you are going to keep the wine. One of the most substantial portions of your investment is going to go toward making sure there is a suitable place for storage that you can use when collecting wine. The motive here is going to be to make sure that your wine collection is going to be allowed to increase in its value rather than decreasing in value. The storage of your wine and the way that you keep your wine are going to make a huge difference in how well your wine is kept and collected. If you want your wine to last a long time and age beautifully, the right location is vitally necessary.

Wine that is protected, kept and collected in the most suitable conditions is going to age nicely. This is how you turn your collecting wine passion into collecting vintage wines. If your wine collection does not have the chance to be stored properly, then your wine is going to deteriorate, and nobody is ever going to appreciate your wine. If you ever try to sell your vintage wine, rest assured that it will have tell tale signs of being treated wrong, and everyone will know that you did not take your collecting wine hobby seriously.

When it comes to collecting wine, you should plan on doing some extensive research on how many wines are out there. Different wines have different storage requirements. What types of wines are you interested in collecting? How is this going to affect your wine storage situation? Make sure that you have the right storage for your wine before you buy it – Otherwise you will be caught ill prepared, and the quality of the wine that you are collecting will suffer as a result. Your wine bottles need the right temperature, the right humidity, the right air quality and many other details in order to age properly, and so you have to make sure that you have control over these things before you take your collecting wine hobby to the next level.

Photo Credits: NancyHugoCKD.com

Originally posted 2009-11-05 03:20:52. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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