Top Tips For Buying Antiques, Antiquities And What To Look For
What so special about antiques?
Antiques are often collected and considered desirable as they are historical items of value, at least 100 years old, that are often rare, show good craftmenship, have a particular function, are still in good condition after so many years, or has other unique features. Often they are heirlooms passed down the generations that are extremely hard to buy, and thus have great value.
What about antiquities?
These are rare or very old items/art or artifacts from the ancient world which often highly prized and many are protected by government agencies in each country to prevent exportation. There are of course still antiquities for purchase but authentic pieces are difficult to find.If you do possess any, hang on to them as they will be worth even more in many years time.
Tips for buying antiques and antiquities?
1. Picking a specific category...
Before thinking of buying an antique consider where your interests lie, as there are so many categories to choose from that you can never be an expert at everything. If you are just interested in seeking out the most popular finds, then you can check out ebay pulse and TIAS Annual Collectibles/ Antiques Most popular searches.
The most popular include lamps, clocks, sterling silver, quilts, furniture, art deco items, chandeliers, Victorian era antiques, silver antiques in general, cookie jars, Avon brand, Fenton brand items, stamps, teapots, Roseville pottery, glassware including Carnival, Blenko and Depression glassware, Pyrex, dolls, and many other smaller items.
2. Knowledge is gold...
If you've found something that you have a keen interest in collecting, one thing you will find is that you can never have enough knowledge. In particular, as many antiquity dealers will tell you, you should be spending almost as much on books and references as you would on antiquities. This will enable you to be a judge on authenticity, and accurately evaluate value.
Value will be based on age, original finish, condition, patina (which is the natural build-up of polish, dirt, minor wear and natural chemical changes that gives furniture and other items their beauty and character), any alterations and refurbishiment, rarity, provenancy (or the who, what, when and where history of the item) or current trends as seen in antique magazines, antique roadshows and publications and craftsmanship.
Many dealers and collectors highly recommend that you should acquire or borrow as many price guides as you can find for the items you wish to buy, so you know how much you should be paying for. When you buy a particular type of antique, you should initially stick to one style, type of material used, era, maker or manufacturer so you can focus on how to pinpoint the value of an antique by looking at the detailing and how to detect replicas, poorly refinished items and transformed parts, which will greatly detract from the final price you should be paying.
3. Know your budget
Unless you're made of cash, it's good to stick to a budget that you put down in writing for yourself. This budget should also include price guides, reference and guide books, catalogs that you will most certainly need to use before uou decide on purchasing an antique. Doing an online search for average prices or specific items will really help in keeping in budget. There are many antque forums and communities who will often divulge pricing of many items such as kovels.com etc. It is often useful to carry a certain amount of cash to auctions and to stick to that amount.
4. Places to buy antiques and what to bring....
There are many choices online and offline when it comes to finding antiques to buy. It is often a great idea to go with a friend to estate auctions and sales especially one with some experience in buying and selling. Don't be afraid to talk to the sellers and agents even if it is just to obtain more knowledge and to make a few connections. Antique store dealers and antique shows / market store owners often have a vast amount of knowledge and education about current items of value and what to look for. Bring along your price guides, books and catalogs as well as any photos or pictures for reference.
Look for clearances in antique stores who are getting rid of old stock or better still, check out antique store businesses that are closing. You never know what bargains you will find. A lot of people often forget about garage and yard sales. Dig through boxes and look around as many valuable items especially in wealthier districts are often thrown out. It is a real fact that one of the best times to buy antiques is during economic downturns and recessions where most people will part with valuable items, so you can often get a better price for them.
If you have time to hunt down auctions in your area, check out the antique bargains on auctions sites online. Remember to ask specific questions if there aren't enough details on the auction site including any small damage, stains, antique markings to establish an item's heritage, where the item was acquired and if there is a certificate of authenticity. It is also good to ask for larger pictures if the online picture is not of good quality. Check also for refunds and warranties and the track record of the seller. The other thing not to forget is the shipping cost and mode and whether insurance is included.
5. Trustworthy dealers
One of the hardest things about buying antiques is finding trustworthy dealers both offline and online. Auction houses like Christie's and Sotheby's are two of the most established, largest establishments with literally hundreds of auction centers around the world combined. Besides auctions they offer accurate auction estimates, private sales, online bidding, consignments and lots of advice. Naturally there are many professional bidders involved with Christie's and Sotheby's so if you are looking for smaller auctions and bargains it is necessary to familiarize yourself with local store dealers and online dealers.
With regards to dealers,there are certain things you should find out before purchasing from them. For instance, how long has the dealer been established as an antique business owner, what specific antique areas do they deal in and depth of knowedge(eg furniture, glassware, clocks, pre-Vicorian era etc). See if they can point out certain markings, signatures and detailings that would distinguish a real antique from a replica, and tell you some further history about items in their store, and what resources they use. It is good to also ask if they sell replicas and reproductions and see if they are labeled properly. Autheniticity certifcations and guarantees should also be asked about, as well as any specialist appraisers they recommend in evaluating antique items. You can also see how well the dealer is aligned with standards and practices of antique dealing by asking if they are part of any antique organizations. NAADAA (The National Antique and Art Dealers Association of America) has an online list of many leading dealers in antiques.
For more information, photos, resources and buying and selling antique tips, top buys, and how to evaluate them check out the Antiques and Collectibles guide in the resources section
