Archive for September, 2008
Friday, September 19th, 2008
High quality reproductions of antiques can be very valuable. However, original pieces are still considered far more precious and expensive. They are regarded as real investments in the field of antique collection. That is why all antique collectors, buyers, and dealers should be very knowledgeable in determining the difference between an original antique and an antique reproduction furniture piece. Below are some things that you ought to consider when assessing the furniture:
1. Examine the wood material used for the furniture. Most original antique furniture pieces use different wood materials for the various parts of the piece. Even if majority of the wood material is made of mahogany or oak wood, the other parts such as the bottom or back section can be made out of lesser quality or cheaper wood pieces. As for reproductions, they are often made from one wood that is heavily stained.
2. Antique furniture upholstery made during the 1900s and the earlier years are usually made out of horse hair and animal hide. If the upholstery is stuffed with synthetics, then it is probably a reproduction from the 1920s and beyond.
3. Check for signs of wear and tear. Usually, original antique furniture pieces will have signs of wear and tear and the end of the arm rests. Genuine signs of wear are inconsistent but logical. Watch out for antique reproduction furniture pieces that have been purposely distressed.
4. Look for signs of aging. These usually come in the form of cracks and uneven shades. Original antique piece will have cracks that indicate expansion or shrinkage of wood over time. In addition to that, they will have uneven color shades due to unequal exposure to the sunlight.
5. Examine the carvings. Most antique reproduction furniture pieces have smooth and symmetrical carvings primarily because they were made using machines. In contrast, original furniture pieces were hand carved so they are often bumpy, uneven, and irregular.
(more…)
Posted in Antique Reproduction Furniture | No Comments »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
Your bedroom will look more ravishing and elegant if you add a touch of antiquity in it. The best way to do this is to make use of antique bedroom furniture pieces. Generally, bedroom furniture pieces work well if you consider both aesthetic value and functionality as your essential basis in making your selection.
Most of the usual bedroom furniture designs were inspired during the early 18th century. Among the most notable designs were Palladianism of Great Britain and Rococo of France. These designs pondered on luxury, gaiety, and grace. They came in bright colors and playful designs. Gothic and Baroque designs came the century after. Such designs had heavier and sturdier looks with darker colors and shades.
Antique bedroom furniture uses a wide variety of materials. In the early centuries, most of the materials were from fine hardwood such as mahogany, narra, elm wood, rosewood and the like. Most pieces had either engraved or carved designs. However, as time passed by, other materials such as iron, aluminum, and steel were used. Some even used animal skins as covers. Such included skin of sharks, zebras, and other animals from the wild.
If you are planning to have a room that features antique bedroom furniture, you should get a medieval bed. Usually, these beds are characterized with tall posts in each corner and a roof that are elaborately designed and decorated. The posts are usually covered with exquisite and elegant curtains that hung from the ceiling and the corners. These curtains usually form a canopy of fabric that encloses the bed frame.
Aside from the hangings, the bed usually has a head cloth. This is the fabric that is hung on the wall. There are also head and foot curtains, as well as valances and dust ruffles. Antique beds commonly have trimmings and shades that define lavishness, design, and comfort.
Aside from the bed, important antique bedroom furniture is the lampshade. Lampshades can be made out of fabric, shells, brash, crystal, or china wood, or a combination of two or more materials. They usually come in the form of ginger jar style stands. If lampshades are not in your list of preferences, you can try antique candlestick holders.
(more…)
Posted in Antique Bedroom Furniture | No Comments »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
In any kind of business and collection, pricing and value play a very important role. In the case of antiques, antique furniture value look up is needed in choosing which pieces should be bought, sold, or traded. The game of the trade remains the same- the higher the value, the better the trade will be.
A tedious process
Determining the price and value of an antique can be really difficult especially if you are a rookie in the field. The task takes a lot of patience and perseverance in researching and evaluation. Even experts find the task extremely hard especially if the item is quite rare. Values may change from time to time not only based on the age of your antique furniture piece but also on its condition and design. Usually, the true value of an antique will only be determined after a thorough negotiation process between the seller and the actual buyer.
Finding the right price for your antique piece
The quest for finding the right antique furniture value lookup should start with a thorough examination of your furniture piece. You should be able to determine the specific era when your furniture was manufactured. Also, you will have to discern the style of your piece, as well as the actual manufacturers. You should also keep in mind that that the value of your piece largely depends on its rarity, condition, and history.
After you have properly determined your antique piece, you have to know how the pros can possibly value your furniture piece. You can look up the various websites of antique shops and boutiques and you can also check online auction venues for antique furniture pieces.
Some of the websites that you should visit are Ebay, Go Antiques, Trade Me, TIAS, and Ruby Lane. If you visit these online auctions, you can look up the past results and study the latest bids that were made on various furniture pieces. You can base the antique furniture value lookup on the past inventories and compare the pricing made by the credible dealers on that site. However, keep in mind that most of these online auction prices are far less than the prices offered at antique shows and shopping malls.
Aside from these websites, you can also consult appraisal organizations. Most of these organizations have websites where you can ask for an appraisal service. However, take note of the fact that online appraisal can be very risky and expensive. Try looking for an expert in your local. If you can’t find one, you can also make use of price guides for antiques and collectibles such as Collect.com, Kovels.com, and the Collector’s Information Bureau. GP
Posted in Antique Furniture Value Lookup | No Comments »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
If you are hunting for a good deal in antiques and collectibles then you should try visiting the downtown Saratoga Springs in New York. The place hosts many antique and collectible boutiques and shops that cater to a variety of shopping opportunities. Along Broadway and Regent Streets, there are many boutiques that offer upscale clothing, crafts, furniture pieces, gifts and souvenirs, and a lot more. Below is the list of some famous Saratoga New York antiques and collectibles stops in the area:
Celtic Treasures - O’Donnell’s Irish Imports, Inc.
This shop offers a wide variety of potential special acquisitions such as crystals, fabrics, clothing, books, music materials, posters, prints, and many more. Among the notable gift items in the shops include notable brands and labels such as Belleek, Cre’ and Royal Tara China, Claddagh and Celtic Jewelry, and Waterford Crystals. It also offers an excellent selection of wools, caps, ties, t-shirts, and sweat shirts.
Crafters Gallery - Fine Art Fine Crafts
If you are in search for an inspiring souvenir under the Saratoga New York antiques and collectibles collection, you must see this gallery. It showcases the paintings, photography, crafts, furniture pieces, artworks and jewelries designed by the state’s local crafters and dealers.
Hamada Egyptian Bazaar
If you want to get a taste of Egypt, then you should stop by this shop. It offers a multitude of Egyptian and Turkish items such as silver cartouches, jewelry, vases, glass and crystals, belly dancing costumes, ethnic clothing, native American goods, hats, custom shirts and more.
Impressions of Saratoga
The Saratoga New York antiques and collectibles include an extensive selection of sports wear, souvenir items, gifts, collectibles, doll house miniatures, gift baskets and more. The place is perfect if you are hunting for unique gifts for your special one.
Magic Moon, LLC
(more…)
Posted in Saratoga New York Antiques and Collectibles | No Comments »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
Apparently, if you are looking for an antique piece, the first thing that you should do is to consult the internet. The World Wide Web is regarded as one of the most rewarding venues for antique and collectible trade. These days, there are many online auction and shopping websites in addition to the websites of various antique and collectible boutiques and shops. Such websites have been an important venue for many aspiring dealers to trade and market their craft and products.
The process
If you want to know how to sell antiques and collectibles online, the first thing that you should deal with is the task of observing how online auction websites work. Just like any auction house, online auction websites work by inviting antique and collectible sellers as well as potential buyers. Pictures and details of the products on trade are displayed in the websites by their respective sellers. They also designate a defined time period for online bidding. Just like any other auction, the aspiring buyer with the highest bid wins the product.
Basically, if you have a very valuable product at hand, you should make it a point to provide lots of details and pictures. Included in the list of details that you should indicate are the historical background of the piece (especially if it is an antique), the restoration procedures it underwent, the condition of the item, and other things that will possibly increase the marketability of the item.
Auction and shopping sites
To give you an idea on how to sell antiques and collectibles through the internet, you can visit the most popular websites that antique dealers and buyers often use.
(more…)
Posted in Antiques and Collectibles for Sale Online | No Comments »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
If you have inherited a piece of antique or collectible which may be valuable, how will you know its value? Well, if you are not among those appraisal experts in the field of antique trading, don’t lose hope. You can make use of the various antique price guides in order to find prices for collectibles and antiques.
The price value
If you are looking for the price value of an antique or a collectible, you can expect that you won’t find any guide that can provide you with an exact price. Price values are usually provided in ranges only. Keep this in mind since antique dealers across your region or country usually do not have comprehensive and concise guide that will give you a definite price.
When you are trying to determine the price or value of your antique, you should also consider the condition of your item. If it needs extensive restoration procedures, chances are, you will have to considerably lower the asking price for the piece. Remember that wear, cracks, chips, and markings on your piece can considerably change its value.
Guides for pricing antiques and collectibles
There are many publications that can help you to find prices of antiques and collectibles. Most of these publications that provide accurate and up-to-date collectible and antique prices are published once every year. They are prepared by experts on antique and collectible assessment and appraisal, as well as expert collectors and dealers. Included in the list of the most popular guides are the following:
Kovel’s Antiques and Collectibles Price List
Introduced in the industry by Ralph and Terry Kovel, this price list has been regarded as the “bible” of every antique lover. It is one of the most trusted authorities in antique and collectible assessment and pricing. It also includes hints and tips in buying, ways to avoid worthless antique purchases, and historical data about popular designers and manufacturers in the field.
Judith Miller’s Collectibles Price Guide
(more…)
Posted in Prices For Collectibles And Antiques | No Comments »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
Going to antiques and collectibles shows can be very tiring and expensive if you don’t have a game plan. With the many choices that you have, topped with the equally confusing number of probably reasonable offers, you might end up confused and bewildered about what you ought to buy. Thus, before you proceed to any exhibit, you should always prepare and plan. Below are some tips that you should keep in mind:
Know what you want to buy
Examine what you need and what you want. List it down. Do not limit yourself to a shallow description of what you want to buy. If it is furniture piece, indicate what style and design you prefer. Identify the specific characteristics such as the carvings, engravings, colors, shadings, the wood materials, the construction materials, and many more. The more you know about what you want to buy, the easier the buying process will be.
Set a budget and stick to it
Before you go to antiques and collectibles shows, make sure that you have a good idea of your budget. Since you have determined exactly want you want to buy, consult antiques and collectibles price guides and appraisal organizations. Get their recommended price value ranges and check if you can afford the price. When you head for the actual exhibit, always start you offer with a reasonable price. This way, the buyers can tell that you are well aware of the price.
Look around and do a thorough assessment
Before you settle for any antique or collectible, examine all your choices. Since you are in the antiques and collectibles shows, there is a high possibility that you can find lots of choices and alternatives for the item that you want to buy. If you want to buy a furniture piece, make sure that you bring a flashlight. Before you buy anything, check the piece. Pay attention to the condition, quality, design, and uniqueness of the item. These are the usual factors that are used to gauge the value of the item.
(more…)
Posted in Antiques And Collectibles Shows | No Comments »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
If you are an antique collector and you want to take your hobby to a whole new level, you better pay a visit to Florida. Florida nestles many of the greatest antique shops around the globe. In particular, Florida offers the Antique Row located in Dania Beach, Broward County.
The antique business was first introduced in Broward County in 1945. Ten years after, the county gained fame for housing the most exquisite set of antique and collectible boutiques that cater to almost any and every kind of item in the industry. Antique Row near the Federal Highway in Dania Beach downtown, has been named as the “Antique Capital of the South”. These days, it is home to more than a hundred antique shops and shopping malls. More than that, it is one of the usual venues for the most rewarding Florida antiques and collectibles shows.
Florida is the home for superb antiques all the year round. However, it will be best to visit the state during the season of Florida antiques and collectibles shows. If you are an antique and collectible dealer and you want to pay a visit to Florida, you must first check various online antique and collectible online magazines.
Most of these online websites provides details on the latest antiques and collectibles show schedule around the state. Aside from the schedule and the venue in the form of itinerary and area maps, they often provide a brief description of what any buyer can expect from the said event. In addition to that, they also provide a list of the antique and collectible dealers that will participate in the said events. Furthermore, some provide pertinent articles about antiques and collecting. Below are the top three sites that you can rely on with regards to Florida antiques and collectible shows:
Florida Antique Shows (http://www.floridaantiqueshows.com/)
This website serves as the online resource of the Florida Antiques Shows group. They are among the groups that organize and market antique shows in the state. Kay and Bill Puchstein run the group. They cater to almost ten antique shows in the state every year.
Antique Shows of Florida (http://www.antiqueshowsofflorida.com/)
Jim & Yvonne Tucker, founders of the Antiques and Collectibles National Association (ACNA), take part in organizing Florida antiques and collectibles shows. They first started in 2007 where they acquired five antique shows for the state. This year, they catered to six superb shows and next year, they are off to offer nine breathtaking venues for antique trade and dealing.
(more…)
Posted in Florida Antiques and Collectibles | No Comments »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
If you are planning to collect historical and valuable antiques and collectibles, you need to have the right skills and knowledge in determining the right pieces and the right skills in examining and buying. You should also be aware of the important things to consider in keeping and trading your collection. To start off your research, here are some sites that you can consult:
Antiques Road show Online (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/roadshow/)
This website features the popular television show that focuses on antiques. It has many useful menus and sections that can turn a novice into an expert in the field of antique and collectible hunting. A particular section that provides so much use is the “tips for the trade”. This section provides tips about any and almost every kind of antique and collectible. Other sections that may be useful are “antique speak” and “stories from the road.”
Ebay (http://www.ebay.com/)
This online auction and shopping website can be a good starting point for aspiring collectors of historical and valuable antiques and collectibles. By browsing through its pages, you can have an idea of how antiques and collectibles define, describe, and price their pieces on line. You will also have a preliminary understanding of the various types and classifications of antiques, as well as the common terms used in the trade.
Go Antiques (http://www.goantiques.com/)
Just like Ebay, Go Antiques website serves as a venue where antique dealers and buyers meet and interact. You can use the website to have a good look at the various pieces that are commonly traded online. In addition to that, you can check the prices through “Price Guide” and the various antique associations such as AOA (Association of Online Appraisers) and Collectors.org. The site also provides links to various online publications which deals with the historical and valuable antiques and collectibles.
Sotheby (http://www.sothebys.com/)
Sotheby is another website used for auctions. You can visit the website and explore the most popular pieces in the antique trading industry. Among its most important features for the rookie are the web pages that provide details in auctioning. These include “The Auction Process: A time line” and “Auction Terms”. The website also has an auction calendar that features the latest auction events about antiques and collectibles.
(more…)
Posted in Historical and Valuable Antiques | No Comments »
Saturday, September 13th, 2008
Buying antiques and collectibles does not require mere interest in collecting and investing. Instead, it requires the aspiring collector to have adequate knowledge in choosing the best antique pieces. Furthermore, an aspiring buyer should be aware of the common mistakes that most novice buyers make. Such can help make sure that the mistakes will not be committed again.
Mistake No. 1: Not looking around
Realize that you have many choices. The internet provides you with thousands of websites where you can find antiques and collectibles for sale online. If you want special services, you can go to the websites of antique dealers and boutiques. However, if you want to have cheaper choices, you can try online auctions and shopping websites such as Ebay, Amazon, TradeMe, Allegro, and many more. Such websites provide you with a great venue to find your perfect piece in the shortest time possible.
However, before you settle for any antiques and collectibles for sale online, make sure that you have exhausted all your choices with regards to the quality, condition, and price of the piece that you want. To compare the prices, you can consult online price guides for furniture pieces. This includes Collect.com, Kovels.com, and the Collector’s Information Bureau. You can also try offline sources such as Kovel’s Antiques and Collectibles Price List and Warman’s Antiques and Collectibles Price Guide.
Mistake No. 2: Casual examination of the piece
When you purchase antiques and collectibles for sale online, the most common mistake that you can make is to examine the item casually. Most of the time, sellers who market their products online only provide a picture of their furniture piece, as well as some details of the product. For the sake of the buyer’s security, he should make it a point to examine the product thoroughly. Such thorough examination should start with questions.
The aspiring buyer should ask about the history of the antique, the previous restoration procedures, the style and features of the product, and more. If actual physical examination of the antique piece prior to the delivery is impossible, the buyer can request for pictures of the product. You should ask for pictures of the piece in various angles and parts. Make it a point to request for a picture of the interior features, the bottom part, and the back portion of the piece.
(more…)
Posted in Antiques and Collectibles for Sale Online | No Comments »