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Thursday, May 22, 2008

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Antique Furniture Buying Guide

By Drew Dulgar

What constitutes an antique and what is it worth? You should know everything there is to know about your area of antiquing to make wise buying decisions, including what to look for in a valuable piece. This article will give tips on value, searching, finding and condition of antique furniture.

The word antique is used to describe anything old that is fairly rare. Old is considered to be anything that is over 100 years old. Rare is used to described an item that is limited in its supply or, in other words, there are hardly any of the item around anymore. You must have a discerning eye while shopping for antiques because even if a piece looks old does not mean it is an antique. Furthermore, even when something really is old, if no one wants it; it will be worthless. On the flip side, an item can be newer than 100 years old and will be very collectible if it is in high demand, thus it will have a high value. A pieces value is based on demand in connection with limited supply.

There are approximately 15 major areas of antiques, to name a few: furniture, toys, ceramics, and jewelry. When you decide to start collecting antiques you will need to choose an area or two and study and learn all you can about it to really be successful. You want to be able to know a really valuable find when you see it, and know you are getting it at a good price. Each area of antiques has its own history, value, rules, frauds, junk and exciting finds. For this article we are going to go over what to know about antique furniture.

Antique furniture is popular and will almost always appreciate in value because of it's solid wood construction and beautiful craftsmanship. Furniture today is not built like it used to be and people want pieces with style and character that will hold up over time. When you buy antique furniture you should always buy what you like and what you will want in your house, unless you are going to turn around and sell it for a profit.

There are four sub-categories in antique furniture: English, European (which is usually French or German), American, and Far Eastern, which is usually Chinese. English furniture is divided into Victorian or Pre-Victorian. American furniture will be Shaker, New York or Western. And Far Eastern furniture is described by the period or date of manufacture. Most people will enjoy one of these types of furniture and begin collecting and decorating their home with that one type.

The type of wood the piece is made from is of significance in determining value. Mahogany, walnut, oak and pine are the most sought after. If the piece has it's original hardware and wood panels it will be worth a lot more than a piece that has been "re-done" due to broken parts. If you have a piece of furniture that is not in top condition, with scratches on the finish, leave it alone if you believe it has some value. Never strip and refinish it. If a leg is loose on a table you can leave it alone or put a dab of wood glue in the joint. Never remove a leg and re-fit it. If a piece is a bit wobbly this is a good indication that it is authentically old. Make sure you inspect the entire piece of furniture for matching wood. Sometimes the back panels had been damaged and they will be replaced with another type of wood.

Caring for a piece of antique furniture is important in preserving it and the value it holds. You should always use pure beeswax (carnauba) to clean and polish your antiques.
Lemon oil is a big mistake because it dries out the wood, darkens the patina and will definitely decrease the furniture's value. When shopping for furniture, rub your finger across the finish and if an oil film is left on your finger the dealer has used lemon oil on it. Don't buy it.

You can find antique furniture just about anywhere. First search your attic and your parent's attics. You can even try and get into the attics of the neighbor's homes. Attics are the best places to find antiques people have forgotten about. To find some more real deals, go to rummage sales, garage sales, estate sales, yard sales, thrift stores, pawn shops and flea markets. You might be able to pick up an antique at a really low price. Estate sales are usually the best place to find antiques because the items belonged to an elderly person. There are also antique stores, malls, dealers and auctions. You will be able to find tons of furniture and antiques here, but you may have to pay more, and you will definitely need to be savvy so you won't get ripped off. You can expect to pay or get a variety of prices on antique furniture.

When you are new at buying antiques stick with one item and then start learning about other types of antiques.

Remember, condition is the most important aspect in determining value, so inspect each piece thoroughly. Do not buy on impulse, take your time and do some research to make sure it is an authentic piece. Don't do all your research in the store you will be purchasing it from, go elsewhere and get second opinions. Most of all, have a good time and only buy what you like and you will never be stuck with something you don't want.

Article Source: http://agedfurniture.com/buying_guide

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Comparison shop: some rare items cannot be compared for price, but you might be able to compare more common items. Also, look at reproductions. Some are good value for money as alternatives to antiques. And, knowing the features of repros may help you in the quest for the real.
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Antique Furniture. Antique furniture is much sought after depending on the make and style of the specific item. Tables and writing desks, complete dining sets, chairs, cabinets, and armoires are all popular and motifs vary greatly by period from ornately carved Baroque pieces to the simple lines of Shaker furniture. Individual selection depends entirely on taste.
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Does It Look Old? Examine the finish for natural signs of wear. Authentic pieces will have dirt in crevices or in places that are hard to clean, and wear around knobs and on drawers caused by friction. The absence of such wear may indicate that the piece is not old, or that it has been refinished. The latter is not necessarily bad if it�s been done well, but it will lower the piece�s value in most instances. Look inside and underneath the piece for dribbles of stain that indicate a sloppy refinishing job.
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Antique Bargains

Our Featured fine antique jewelry Writer

Decorating Styles Using Antiques

By Mr.Andrew Caxton

Antiques can really make a house look impressive and sophisticated if you know what you are doing. However, there is a chance that you can get it wrong so you do need to research beforehand so that you know you are getting it right and that your home will benefit.

Have you ever thought about using antiques to brighten up your home? Some people consider antiques to be a little dated and they would never think of having them in their own home; however they can add a sophisticated touch without looking too imposing.

How to Make Antiques Work for You

Antiques are generally associated with old houses. However more and more people are starting to use them in their modern homes as they find that they can really brighten up the living space. You can purchase antiques from a number of different places and it is even possible to find them at your local flea market. So what classes as an antique?

Well generally an antique is old. It may sound obvious but people do still wonder just how old something has to be before it is considered an antique. The best way to find out how old something is is to take it to a valuer. They will be able to tell you what period it is from which will tell you its age. They should also tell you how valuable it is and antiques are usually fairly valuable!

So once you start to realize what an antique is, it is then that you will be able to find various different things for your home that will add that little antique look.

The various antiques you can pick up include ones which are in perfect condition, but sometimes people prefer something which shows its age. Perhaps something with a slight missing detail to it will suit your home more? Perhaps you are looking for a antique wardrobe or an antique chest of drawers? It seems to be common these days to have an antique chair or unit to go in the living room too. You can pick these various items up from an antique auction and generally the dark wooden antiques are the ones which most people prefer.

One of the main things to keep in mind is that antiques do have the ability to look good in a modern setting, but they also have the potential to look ugly. You should never buy something just because of its antique status. If you do this you run the risk of putting an antique in your home which brings down the tone of the room. People will walk in and instantly be drawn to the ugly, antique in the corner. So, ensure that it looks good and that it will fit in with the rest of the interior design.

Overall with antiques it is easy to get it wrong but if you spend time researching you have the ability to make your home look fantastic. Spend time looking around and going to antiques fairs if you can as well as auctions. Know what is in and what isnt and also get a feel for what would go well within your home. Antiques can look good but you do have to know what you are doing.

About The Author

Andrew Caxton contributes adding content to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . For additional information on interior design or decorating styles subjects have a look at his web.

Tips About fine antique jewelry

If displaying paper items, remember that light of all kinds (electric and sunlight), will eventually harm paper.
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Get a Second Opinion. If you�re unsure about a piece and it�s expensive, get a second opinion from a friend who is knowledgeable about antiques or whose taste you trust. Ask the dealer if he or she will hold the piece for you until you return. If not, ask yourself how you�d feel if the piece weren�t there when you got back. If the heartbreak you�d experience would exceed the disappointment you�d feel paying more for the piece than it�s worth, buy it.
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With good care, including regular maintenance by a qualified clock maker, there's no reason why your antique clock will not continue to keep time for another hundred years. Most antique clocks are so well made they require little more than winding and the occasional interior cleaning - but only by a qualified professional who knows how to repair antique clocks. You don't want just anyone w orking on your rare antique clocks.
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Coins should be left in "found" condition. Cleaning makes them less desirable to collectors.
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Mixing furniture of different periods and nationalities is a fairly safe bet, so long as the pieces exhibit roughly the same degree of sophistication. Country cousins do not always mix happily with city types. It is not a matter of money. Vernacular furniture often finds itself out of place in an aristocratic ambience, even though it can now cost as much, and in some cases more, than its ormolu-mounted equivalent. A good oak Welsh dresser of around 1800 can cost as much as a Sheraton mahogany side-board of the same date; a well-carved French Provincial commode can fetch as much as one made by a Paris ebonite, while a simple Shaker sewing chest can bring more at auction in the USA than the rest of them put together
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