Antique and Flea Market Information » Antique Appraisal

Antique Art Appraisal

Keith — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:37:10 +0000

By Saurya Ghosal

Antique art collection is a popular hobby for many people across the globe. But, as a collector/seller, the biggest problem he/she is to encounter is in assessing the true value for the piece or in simple terms, to reliably get the antique art appraisal done. As this is a business that has huge money at stake, one cannot afford to have any pitfalls while performing the antique art appraisal. The value of antique arts varies with time and hence to remain updated about its current value is important before striking a deal. In fact, antique art appraisals are a necessary first step for both the antique collector and seller before getting into the finer details of the business.

Antique art appraisals are usually performed by experts who have a thorough understanding of the antique arts from all over the world. Only thing one need to do is to find the contact of any such antique art appraisal firm and ask for help. Remember, in antique art appraisals, professional assistance can only help one to deduce the actual value of the treasures.

The advent of internet has changed the world of information and communication beyond recognition. It had revolutionized the way people had access to information. Like in any other field, this trend had transformed antique art appraisals as well. Now it is possible for one to sit back at home and find out or get the antique art appraisal done with a few click of the mouse. Since it is been done through the firm’s website, professional assistance can be guaranteed. Such a way to do antique art appraisals will save a lot of time as well, since no physical movement from one place to another I involved here.

Even if, at a later stage, the collector/seller has to go to the antique art appraisal authority in person, an introduction through the internet makes the job easier as the professional there in the firm gets a chance to prepare before the client arrives.

But it is not all that well out there with antique art appraisals. There is chalk amidst cheese! There are firms which lure the sellers by convincing them that their piece worth a fortune. And after putting your pen on the contract, they reveal that they have lowered the price so as to give the piece a better chance of getting picking up. The client won’t have any way out as the small print obligates him/her to expensive catalog illustrations, hidden insurance costs and outrageous buy-back reserve fees. In a way, this is outright cheating.

Such things happen in the business of antique art appraisal. Hence it is the collector/seller’s duty to find out the genuine antique art appraisal firm to get his/her antique art appraisal done. It is all about being a bit rational in your thoughts and the business deal.

Also keep in mind, a consignment to a dealer, even donating to a museum or giving an ad in trade publication fetches a higher return than an auction could muster. This is something related to antique arts economics. The owner should make it a point in the contract to specify the way he wants it to be sold. For collectors, it is the reverse. He/she could fetch things at a lower price in an auction.

About the Author: Saurya Ghosal for http://www.affordableantique.com
Read more about Antiques http://www.affordableantique.com/Antique-Appraisals-Certification.html
Copyright 2005 http://www.affordableantique.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=22743&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

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How to Preserve the Artistic and Historical Value of Antiques

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:08:11 +0000

By Benedict Smythe

One of the most significant characteristic of any antique item is its age. Since antiques have been passed down from one generation to the next, these items easily undergo daily wear and tear. Thus, any antique item demands considerable care to preserve and protect its timeless value.

While a professional antique restorer is recommended for more intricate and detail-oriented method of antique restoration, you can also do your part to help maintain the artistic and historical value of your collection. Read on some tips on how to clean precious antique pieces.

Direct sunlight is a no-no for antique furniture. You should never display antique furniture in direct sunlight or beside air-conditioning or heating units. The heat that comes from these sources will deteriorate the fragile state of the antique piece. Place antique furniture in cool areas or better yet ask antique experts of how to properly display your piece. Note that different types of wood require different temperature to maintain its elegance.

Use soft, lint-free cloth for polishing. Soft and lint-free cloth should be used when polishing antique pieces. You should never polish antiques the way you may polish your modern pieces. Remember that antiques are old and can easily be torn, scratched or broken if mishandled.

Move antique furniture with care. Because of the furniture’s sensitive condition, you should only move antique pieces when you really have to and only with utmost care. Otherwise, let the furniture stay in one corner of your house to lessen the probability of accidental breaking.

Use your hands when dealing with antique ceramics or glass. Cleaning antique ceramics and glass is quite simple just by using lint-free cloth for regular dusting. However, unlike antique furniture pieces, wearing protective gloves in handling antique ceramic and glass is not advisable. It is more appropriate to handle antiques of this type using your clean hands. It is good to know that sunlight and humidity would not affect the condition of some antique ceramics and glass. To determine sensitive antique items, you must seek the advice of an antique expert.

Store antique ceramics or glass in sturdy shelves. The most common problem with antique ceramic or glass is breakage. Therefore, extra care must be given in its storage. You must never place antique ceramic or glass in unstable cabinets. In case of accidental breakage, place each piece even the smallest one in acid-free tissue and bring to an experienced antique restorer. You must never repair damaged antique pieces on your own to avoid devaluation.

Regularly polish antique silver and metal pieces. Antique silver and metal items are extremely delicate. Antique items made from these materials can react to natural conditions and may result to corrosion, scratches, dents and fractures. Regular and proper cleaning through polishing with soft cloth will reduce the difficulty of maintaining the items’ patina. You should use protective gloves when handling antique silver and metal to avoid tarnishing due to body sweat.

Store antique jewellery separately. Antique jewellery is extremely delicate. A piece of jewellery is possible to be made up of several types of precious stone or metal in which one would adversely affect each other through time. This is why you should not store several pieces of antique jewellery in just one box. Make sure that you have a separate box for each piece to avoid chemical reaction.

Hire the expertise of an antique jeweller. Small jewellery pieces make it almost impossible to clean, so an experienced jeweller specializing in antiques is recommended to handle these items.

About the Author: Driscolls Antiques is a leading supplier of quality antiques and antique furniture. Benedict Yossarian is a freelance Internet Marketing Consultant that can help maximize your exposure online.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=286506&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

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The Real Value of Collectibles in Today’s Economy

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:24:07 +0000

By Melani Weber

With the price of everything going down lately, people who purchase collectibles may be looking at their shelves full of well-loved pieces and thinking, “They’re not worth anything anymore! What will I do?” It may seem counter-intuitive, but the best thing might be to expand your collection. Just think about it: What are the smart investors doing right now on Wall Street? They are holding onto their portfolios and spending a little money to pick up some great bargains. That’s what you should be doing with your collectibles, too.

“To get a great deal” is the best reason to spend money in any economy, especially when it comes to collectibles. While it may not be the best time to sell off your own collection, you may see deals now on pieces that you don’t have that you would never see otherwise. A bonus to buying during a downswing is that, since you are buying items at a discount, the chances are good that your new collectibles will go up in value as the economy gets stronger.

Another reason to invest in collectibles in an economic downturn is if you’ve been thinking of starting a collection for someone else. If you have a daughter or niece to whom you were planning on giving a few pieces, those starter items now can be found at great prices. Often times merchants will bundle pieces together that make great starter sets and offer them at a discount. Plus, everyone knows that the most expensive time to collect is when you first start out, so now is the time to make those initial costs a bit less.

Remember the most important reason to collect anything: because it means something special to you. Can you really put a price tag on a collection if you purchased it for sentimental reasons? If your collection is making you happy then it is giving you value and no one can argue with that. Artwork that you collect because it makes you feel relaxed, for example, is like investing in your mental health. Figurines that feature different emotions or family members can memorialize events or honor loved ones while they expand your collection. Eventually, when the time comes to whittle down your collection, these items become perfect gifts for family and friends. If you’ve ever watched those shows where experts estimate the value of a person’s antiques or collectibles, you know that most people say that it’s nice to know how much it’s worth, but they’re not interested in selling due to family history with the item(s). A collection may have monetary value, but it all boils down to how much it means to you personally.

One of the best bonuses of collecting is the sense of community you get from talking and trading with other collectors. The internet has now given us the ability to talk to people all over the world who are interested in the same things you are. So even if you don’t feel like changing the size of your collection today, communicating with other people who appreciate the things you do can improve your mood, no matter the state the economy.

About the Author: Melani Weber enjoys working with the woodworkers and artists whose creations are featured in the gift store where she has worked for the last 20 years. See their always intriguing (and sometimes silly) work at http://davlinswoods.com

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=323002&ca=Arts+and+Crafts

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Get Your Antiques Appraised at Antiques Roadshow

admin — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:26:09 +0000

How can one accurately determine the value of an antique or a collectible? The fact that an antique appraisal is more than just using a price guide to set a certain monetary value goes without saying. If anything, this action should only be the beginning of a valuation process. There are certain factors that you must take into consideration and a lot of useful guidelines that you likely to find quite easily. However, no one can make a more accurate valuation than an experienced antiques appraiser can.

One of the first signs that an antique appraiser looks for is a signature of the artist or a mark stamped on the item, giving indications about the manufacturer. Such identifying signs can only add value to your possession, which is why every experienced antiques appraiser will take time to study each item carefully.

Another important factor in an antique valuation is its condition. It is quite simple actually. The more flaws your item has, the lesser its value is. However, not all antiques with condition factors are worthless. An extremely rare antique may still be worth quite a sum of money, in spite of its chips or cracks, tears or stains, or missing components. An antiques appraiser with considerable expertise will be able to tell you if you should hold on to your item or discard it.

You should keep in mind that not everything that’s old is also valuable, especially if there are too many items of the same kind, which makes them too common, and therefore less valuable. Repairs and restorations of an antique can work both ways, that is either add to its value or affect it in a negative way. An antiques appraiser can tell whether the restoration of such an item has been performed by specialists or by amateurs, and your antique or collectible will be valued accordingly.

It is said that asking an expert friend for advice on your antique might prove useful, as this is common practice among antiques appraisers. But not everyone has such a friend, and people who want to get a valuation of their old and valuable possessions turn to TV shows such as Antiques Roadshow.

Antiques Roadshow is a television show, British at its origins, but with high popularity all over the world. The show presents antiques appraisers traveling in various regions or states of the country and appraising antiques that the local residents bring in. The show has been running for almost thirty years now, and its popularity led to the development of international versions of this program.

Antiques Roadshow focuses mainly on the interplay that the owner and the evaluator of an antique create. However, the monetary value of the objects brought in by local people is not the only aspect that the show focuses on. There are people interested in study of certain arts, or particular crafts, or simply the study of the past. Antiques Roadshow addresses these people as well, since more often than not a historical or artist context is given to the antique by a professional evaluator, which adds a rather strong cultural aspect to the show.

The American Antiques Roadshow is already in its eleventh season, when the show goes all the way to Honolulu, Hawaii to discover the hidden treasures of the Aloha State. Pretty much like anywhere else around the globe where this show is popular, these residents have been just as eager to have their prized possessions appraised by experts. Their educated judgement is trusted by people all over the world, and many people are surprised to see that what they thought valuable is actually worthless, or the opposite.

About the Author: For more resources about Antiques Roadshow or even about Antiques Appraiser please review www.Values4Antiques.com

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