Japanese art is a type of art that has a very distinctive look. If a painting, a vase, a sculpture or some other type of art is Japanese, particularly if it’s antique art, it usually only takes a quick look for you to recognize the art’s origin. Just as every culture has its own specific properties, the artwork of Japan will always have certain traits in common, no matter what kind of media the artist used to express himself.

Some of the most popular pieces of antique Japanese art are, of course, the paintings. Scroll paintings are distinctively Asian, and come in many sizes and levels of detail. Authentic scroll paintings only dating back as far as the early 20th century cost as little as $200, but some Zen scroll paintings from that period that bear the artists name as well as the temple, and are in excellent condition, can be worth as much as a few thousand dollars.

Another popular type of antique Japanese art is porcelain. Early 20th century porcelain pieces are generally going to cost at least a few hundred dollars, provided they’re in good condition. Vases from the 19th century will generally cost at least that much, if not more. Japanese carvings like those on top of wooden treasure boxes can be worth thousands of dollars. Most likely, though, the exact year of manufacture isn’t known, and they’re more reasonably prices.

Japanese art is full of renderings of Buddha, so many antique pieces feature him in paintings, carvings, or stand-alone statues. These can be valuable, particularly if they’re carved of ivory or stone, and are more than 100 years old. Japanese decorative bronze work is a popular type of antique, too, as they often added detailed embellishments to things like bronze vases or chests.
Most Japanese artwork is easily recognized because of the brush strokes and the subject matter. Landscapes are popular, often featuring cherry blossoms and lots of trees. Wildlife is a popular subject in Japanese art, with cranes being a popular bird. And let’s not forget dragons. Dragons have an important place in Japanese mythology and culture, and are often depicted looking like serpents. Unlike the negative view much of the world holds against serpents, the Japanese thought serpents and dragons to be good luck, and very valuable.

When you’re shopping for antique Japanese art, if a piece you love is out of your price range, you can usually find reproductions of most anything for a more reasonable price. Nothing beats the authentic piece, though, so make sure that the seller is knowledgeable about the piece and Japanese art in general. Unfortunately with many pieces of art, especially paintings, the only way to determine if you’re getting a fair price is to have the item appraised. You might want a piece for its beauty, but be prepared to have it appraised eventually. Many sellers don’t even know the true value of the pieces they have up for auction, so look for similar items online and compare the prices.

Originally posted 2008-12-05 14:00:24. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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One of the most unique forms of collectibles are bottles and you’d be surprised at just how many you can find. Ranging from antiques that were produced in the 1900’s, to ones that are just rolling off the assembly line right now, collectibles bottles are a hot item and a lot of fun to collect. Whether you’re digging for them in your back yard, or buying them online, chances are you may be able to unearth an incredible deal. Let’s take a look at which kinds of collectible bottles are the most valuable.

1. Perfume Bottles

These are considered to be the best kind of collectible bottles, due to the fact that they are usually designed well, will hold up to age, and come in so many different shapes and sizes. From just old bottles that weathered the years well, to special editions from perfume companies, thousands of people collect perfume bottles. If you can find a rare one that still has the perfume inside, you’ve got a great deal.

2. Milk Bottles

The next most popular form of collectible bottles are milk bottles. Many of these will still have the original dairy label or embossing on the bottle itself. These are a lot of fun to collect, especially if you try to see just how many different dairies you can round up for your collection. These are pretty common collectibles, and although they may not have a lot of intrinsic value, they do make for great conversation pieces and look nice when displayed.

3. Sanctuary Lights

These collectible bottles are a little more rare, but with some searching you can find them. These are bigger than votive lights and are usually made to hold candles that are about eight inches high. They are classed under collectible bottles by many, but you’ll also find those that prefer to have them in a different category. Root beer sanctuary lights are a very rare form of this collectible that has become very popular in recent years.

4. Colored Bottles

These are the rarest form of collectible bottle, especially if you are dealing with vintage ones. They will usually have a slight shading of color to them, and they may be a bit faded, depending on how old they are, and where they were stored. These are very fun to collect, simply because they are so scarce and whenever you stumble across one it’s always cause for celebration.

When it comes to collectible bottles, it’s a good idea to focus on the ones that were made before the 1900’s, especially if you are looking for some that will be quite valuable. However, there are many forms of collectible bottles and each one may have a different overall value. Try to see just how many different collectible bottles you can come across and start building your selection today.

A great place to find new pieces for your collection is at a flea market, a second hand store, or even online at auctions.

Photo Credits: methTICALman

Originally posted 2008-09-15 14:00:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Collectibles -> Lamps, Lighting -> Ceiling Fixtures

The crystal chandelier got its start in the 1600s in England, when the use of lead glass became common and even popular. Originally used in medieval abbeys and churches to light up the cavernous rooms, the chandelier started out as a wooden cross with spikes at the ends which held candles. The very word “chandelier” is from the French world candle, and means candleholder. Where the chandelier differs from other types of ancient candleholding devices is its location, suspended from the ceiling, usually in the middle of large rooms.

Aside from being a way to light up a room after dark in the years of pre-electricity, the chandelier has its place in our history in a more important way. Galileo Galilei actually discovered the law of the pendulum after watching a suspended lamp swing in the Pisa Cathedral and he realized that each swing took the same amount of time, even though it was shorter than the one before it. Of course, it wasn’t a crystal chandelier that prompted this discovery, but it wasn’t long after the first uses of chandeliers in medieval churches that the direct forerunner of the modern electric crystal chandelier was created.

Leaded glass, otherwise known as stained glass, became a common material for use in places like cathedrals in England in the 1600s. The lead made the glass more refractive, and added sparkle. Rock crystal was actually fairly rare at the time and often during cutting the quartz would break or crumble, ruining its light-refracting properties. So achieving that same sparkle from true crystal proved difficult. The addition of lead oxide softened the glass and made it easier to cut, make the glass crystals sparkle brilliantly. The dozens of pieces of glass in a crystal chandelier of that period would reflect the many candles used for illumination, and eventually became a common fixture in the homes of the wealthy and the upper classes.

In the 1700s, crystal chandeliers became longer and more ornate, and were in demand as luxury objects for the wealthy. The styles became more elaborate, as the crystal chandelier became almost a status symbol rather than a functional way to light up your home or palace. The drip pans below each candle were often made in the shape of bells or flowers, and the arms became more intricate, often in the style of a Grecian urn. While less wealthy households often used chandeliers for lighting, theirs were typically made of things like wood, metal or even tin.

As electric lighting became standard, the charm of the crystal chandelier began to lie in how it looked unlit, as a purely decorative piece. When it comes to chandeliers or any crystal items, Daniel Swarovski’s work is a highly sought after item. In the late 19th century he patented his machine that cut glass and jewelry perfectly. Those looking for a vintage crystal chandelier in online auctions often search first for Swarovskis, which are valuable and still sought out 50 years after his death.

Photo Credits: smoorenburg

Originally posted 2008-10-21 05:00:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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