European, especially British, porcelain, pottery and china are by and large very well marked as to who made them. The registration mark is another identification tool available to help you decipher when your antique item was made.

The registration mark appears as a diamond shaped mark and gives the EARLIEST possible [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> By Victor Epand

European, especially British, porcelain, pottery and china are
by and large very well marked as to who made them. The
registration mark is another identification tool available to
help you decipher when your antique item was made.

The registration mark appears as a diamond shaped mark and
gives the EARLIEST possible date of manufacturer. These marks
were used on porcelain, pottery and china from 1842 through
1883. The purpose of the mark was to show that the design or
shape had been registered at the Patent Office in London and was
thereby protected from piracy by other manufacturers for a
period of three years.

General Rules for dating marks – There are several general
rules for dating ceramic marks, attention to which will avoid
several common errors. Printed marks incorporating the Royal
Arms are a 19th or 20th century date. Printed marks
incorporating the name of the pattern are after 1810. Marks
incorporating the word ‘Limited’, or the abbreviations ‘Ltd’,
‘Ld’, etc., denote a date after 1861, and most examples are much
later. Incorporation of the words ‘Trade Mark’ in a mark denotes
a date subsequent to the Act of 1862. Inclusion of the word
‘Royal’ in a firm’s title or trade name suggests a date in the
second half of the 19th century, if not a 20th-century dating.
Inclusion of the abbreviation ‘R N’ (for Registered Number)
followed by numbers denotes a date subsequent to 1883.

Inclusion of the word ‘England’,'Germany’,'France’,'Italy’ in
marks denotes a date after 1891, although some manufacturers
added the word slightly before this date. ‘Made in England’,
‘Made in Germany’ and so on, denotes a 20th-century date. Use of
the words ‘Bone China’, ‘English Bone China’, etc., denotes a
20th-century date. Items made in Japan between 1945 and 1953
were required by law to be marked “Made in Occupied Japan.” Most
European antique and vintage china and porcelain pieces are well
marked as to manufacturer whereas U.S makers were hit and miss
on marking their pieces.

If your pieces are unmarked, it may be impossible to ever
accurately identify the maker. You will have to search for the
pattern and see if you can match your pattern to one that has
been identified. The library or bookstore may be your best bet
although more and more information is on the Internet every day.
You could even go to an antique dealer and see what they have to
say. Just make sure that when you do that you know that the
dealer is true to his or her word and is not telling is a price
that would make you sell it to them and then they turn around
and sell it for the real price.

Purchased a collection of thimbles, 7 in all, they picture
Henry VIII and his six wives, on the back of the thimbles are a
few lines depicting. From the description you have given, I’m
assuming they are bone or china thimble and that they are the
normal thimble shape, I’ve seen some as the bust or head of the
character. I assume the picture you refer to is a decal, little
dots when looking thru a magnifying glass. I’m also assuming
there is no maker’s mark on them, either on the inside of the
thimble or on the band.

You did not describe their condition, so I will assume they are
in mint, unused condition. If these assumptions are correct then
are not Wedgwood or a precious metal. The thimble you have shown
me is a modern, Mexican silver thimble. Most examples were made
mid-to late 20th Century. It is decorated with applied wirework
on the outside. Periodically you will find lettering on the
inside of the thimble and this will indicate a maker’s mark.

If you do find something that has the similar look to you piece
or you think you got the markers mark, period it was made or
anything else like that you can always double check your ideas
by going be an auction house and having some from there look
over your piece and see what they have to say about. You might
be right or wrong but at least you can find out more on that
piece if you choose to take it to an antique dealer or an
auction house.

About the Author: Victor Epand is a consultant for
www.SellTheAntiques.com/ . Sell The Antiques is a
community of antique sellers from around the world. If you have
antiques to sell, click here to create an Antiques Account:
www.SellTheAntiques.com/merchant/signup.html

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Antique collectible teapots are prized possessions and many people love to collect them from many places in the world at very high prices. Do you know how to ensure that you get the best collectible teapots at the least cost? Read on and get some valuable insights in how you can [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> By Ann Marier

Antique collectible teapots are prized possessions and many
people love to collect them from many places in the world at
very high prices. Do you know how to ensure that you get the
best collectible teapots at the least cost? Read on and get some
valuable insights in how you can avoid overpaying for your
antique collectible teapots:

1. Check it out thoroughly – before you decide to buy the
antique piece, ensure that you have examined it thoroughly for
cracks, repair or retouch marks, and the like. During this
inspection, find out where it originates. Do not buy something
you think is an antique from England to find out later that it
is an imitation from Indonesia or China.

2. Research the item before you go see it – knowledge is your
best weapon against any type of fraud. Ensure that you know
everything there is to know about the item and then it will be
next to impossible for you to pick imitation collectible
teapots. The imitations are getting better and better every day
– so be careful that when you want to buy antique collectible
teapots, that is what you get.

3. Develop a few trusted shops whether you buy online or in
person – developing a relationship with the seller would ensure
that you are most unlikely to be cheated. You will receive
better service when you are regular with a shop than a
first-time buyer. You will also be assured of the quality of the
collectible teapots you are buying since the seller would not
like to risk losing a good customer by cutting corners with you.

4. Take your time when you are choosing what you want to buy –
do not grab the fist thing you see and pay for it. Many times
what seems a wonderful bargain is actually the most worthless
thing. Always shop when you have sufficient time so that you can
check out the authenticity of both the shop and the item, before
you decide to make a purchase.

5. Be careful when you attend an auction – many people get so
excited when the auction is conducted that they go over their
budget with their bids. Do not let this happen to you. Before
you go for the auction, make a note of the budget you have for
spending, and come what may, do not exceed your limitations in
the fever of the auction.

If you keep these few simple guidelines in mind you will be
able to make great purchases and get value for your money at the
same time.

About the Author: nn Mariera writes articles about family life.
Each set of articles contain useful information and advice. Her
latest are about acquiring “collectibles” for pleasure
www.collectable-clock.com/collectibles Visit
www.ultimatehealthinfo.com for general health issues.

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For coffee lovers, there is nothing more satisfying than a cup of their favorite brew, made from freshly roasted and ground beans.  Even a sniff of our preferred grinds can spark off a serious espresso craving.

For the traditionalists among us, ready ground coffee is not an option, and the shiny [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> By Peter Wilson

For coffee lovers, there is nothing more satisfying than a cup
of their favorite brew, made from freshly roasted and ground
beans.  Even a sniff of our preferred grinds can spark off a
serious espresso craving.

For the traditionalists among us, ready ground coffee is not an
option, and the shiny new electric grinders leave us cold, not
to mention a little deaf due to the terrible noise.  Even the
most expensive electric grinder has a habit of overheating the
beans, losing some of that precious flavor. If you agree with
all of the above, and don’t mind spending a little time over
making your perfect brew, an antique coffee grinder is probably
the choice for you.

As well as being hand set to produce exactly the coarseness of
grinds that you prefer, an antique grinder will never overheat
you beans, keeping the full taste intact.  They also make an
extremely attractive addition to your kitchen, whether you have
traditional or modern décor, and bring a touch of character to
your home.

If you are after a modern look for your kitchen, and don’t
think an antique has any place there, then think again.  There
are some excellent art deco style grinders from the twenties
which had the smooth lines and simple designs that look
fantastic in a modern minimalist kitchen.  A large number of
grinders were produced during this period so they should be
relatively easy to find, and models can be restored and
repainted with a new coat of glossy enamel to suit your personal
tastes.

Buying a grinder to fit into a more old-fashioned kitchen is
even easier, with a wide variety to choose from including
counter top and wall mounted.  As long as your grinder is in
good working order, or has been well restored, you will be
buying a classic piece for your kitchen that adds both
practicality and character.

The simplest of the counter top grinders was largely made from
wood, preferably left unpainted.  It had a highly attractive and
detailed cast iron handle at the top, which is turned to grind
the coffee, and a small drawer at the base for collecting the
grinds.  These are easily available and not too expensive,
depending in the quality.  The straightforward design means they
are unlikely to break and are very attractive pieces.

Some coffee grinders are highly collectible, like the Parker
Nation mill, which was manufactured in Connecticut just after
the turn of the last century, as can be identified by its
distinctive bronze top. There are also a number of very unusual
wall mounted models that originated in Europe.  These are
generally metal or possibly porcelain and some depict
interesting scenes or motifs.

Whatever model you choose, you will be investing in a means of
producing perfectly ground beans, and a small piece of history
for your kitchen which provide a great talking point for all
your visitors.

About the Author: Peter J. Wilson writes articles for
www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com , a web publication
about coffee types and cappuccino. Sharing his passion in
detailed publications (such as
www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com/coffee-grinder.html on
coffee grinder ) he showed his knowledge

Source: www.isnare.com

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In every true sense, an antique is said to be any item (may not be essentially artistic in nature) that is over a century year old. People collect all kinds of antiques, but undoubtedly among the most fascinating are antique boxes. For sure, I don’t expect you to share my [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> By Glen B. Porter

In every true sense, an antique is said to be any item (may not
be essentially artistic in nature) that is over a century year
old. People collect all kinds of antiques, but undoubtedly among
the most fascinating are antique boxes. For sure, I don’t expect
you to share my view as all antiques are personal favorites. But
I personally feel that antique boxes signify the spirit of the
antique that we all find so fascinating.

In my opinion, antique boxes spell treasure. In my earlier
days, I spent a lot of time reading stories of treasure chests
and pirates like Robinson Crusoe, Swiss family Robinsons,
Treasure Island and the like.

In a number of these stories, one would read about these
antique boxes that were filled with the promise of treasure even
though there was no true treasure. But ever since, antique boxes
have held a remarkable fascination for me.

I was truly surprised when I stopped at my regular bookshop and
discovered that he had quite a number of antique boxes displayed
prominently at the counter. What’s more he had gone a step
further to
pack these antique boxes with books to reinforce the treasure
that lay in books and reading, however I was simply consumed by
the sight, smell and look of those antique boxes.

Almost immediately I rushed in to ask him where he had procured
them. Though to me, he was more than an acquaintance and was
aware about my fascination with antique boxes. Even then, he
pretended ignorance for a while before breaking down helplessly
in laughter. As he sat there with tears of mirth flowing down
his eyes, I could not but help wonder anxiously about the
antique boxes and how he had managed to get his hands on them.
He did however tell me the truth, as soon as he calmed down
sufficiently. Well, it seems that there were quite a number of
people like me around the world who also found ancient antique
boxes (with or without any treasure) fascinating. As a result
one proactive Chinese company had decided to capitalize on this
attraction by making near real replicas of antique boxes.
Despite the fact I was initially disappointed, a closer look led
me to believe that if the boxes I saw were replicas of antique
boxes, then they were sure damn good replicas. In spite of the
reasonable price tag though unlike the real thing, I decided
instantly to get a couple of them for myself. Today, I too am a
proud owner of a couple of antique boxes.

About the Author: Glen B. Porter provides readers with
up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for
www.hobbies-for-everyone.com,
www.into-the-arts.com as well as other related
information.

Source: www.isnare.com

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Antique picture frames are one of the most amazing ways to add character to the photos you have. Many people search for these frames and keep the original photos in them, adding a bit of history to their home or to their collection of greats. But, you can also purchase antique [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> By Chad Barker

Antique picture frames are one of the most amazing ways to add
character to the photos you have. Many people search for these
frames and keep the original photos in them, adding a bit of
history to their home or to their collection of greats. But, you
can also purchase antique picture frames to use in the mounting
of your own photos. Although these are expensive and hard to
find products, they will insure a quality and beauty for your
home.

First, finding them can be your first difficult step. To do
this, spend a few minutes looking at antique stores, but really
that may be difficult to locate. Instead, look to the web’s
numerous antique auction websites or even to standard auction
sites (there are many other than the big one you know about!)
This is a great way to find unique pieces from virtually every
part of the globe and every style.

You next need to select antique picture frames that allow you
to fit them within your home. Or, you’ll want to design your
home around the beautiful frames that you find. Depending on the
age of the frame, you may want to consider having it
professionally mounted and definitely get it insured. These are
important considerations for those that are looking for an
elegant look that will last a long time.

Finding antique picture frames can be your largest challenge.
But, the search is well worth it. Just imagine the look and feel
of adding these to your home. The age that they have and the
years of history that they’ve seen definitely means that they
have a unique story to tell. Can you give a good home to a
beautiful antique frame? If you can, your home will forever have
a beautiful character and quality to it.

About the Author: For more observations about
www.pictureframesplanet.com from Chad, click the link.

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So, what are cages that are this old [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Very few things can liven up a room like an antique bird cage. Although you most likely wouldn’t want to use it to house your pet parakeet due to the fact that many of these cages are not only fragile, but they are quite valuable.

So, what are cages that are this old really good for? Well, if you have a home with Victorian or French decor or accents, an antique bird cage will compliment any room in the house.

Of course, for anyone who appreciates the beauty of antiques, it makes no difference what kind of home they have. The cage will look great in any setting.

One of the most critical elements in caring for any antique is keeping it clean. For a bird cage, it really depends on what it’s made from. Is it made out of brass, iron, or another type of metal? If so, it can simply be wiped down with a rag.

Is it a wooden bird cage? If it is then you’ll need to take some different pre-cautions. The best suggestion I can give is to get with an expert in the area of antiques. They will have the knowledge to show you how to care for your cage.

One thing is for certain though, never use any type of store bought spray cleaner on your bird cage. These types of cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can easily destroy the painted surfaces, as well as possibly affect the wooden frame. Even something as simple as soap and water can be hard on the cage. This is why you’ll want to talk with an expert and get some sound advice.

Displaying your antique bird cage in a prominent area of your home can be quite a showpiece for guests of all ages. Even though it may not be a current home for parrots, parakeets or cockatiels, it can still be a great conversation piece.

All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active and do not edit the article in any way.

About the Author: You can find out much more about Antique Bird Cages as well as more information on everything to do with bird cages on our website at www.BirdCages.InfoFromA-z.com

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Antique carpets add a touch of grandeur and glamour to your home or office interiors speaking volumes about your rich and sophisticated tastes! Antique decorative carpets are extravagantly beautiful home furnishings and solid art investments. Antique carpets and rugs are not just decorative items but pieces of tradition, ethnicity and true [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> By Uwe Matt

Antique carpets add a touch of grandeur and glamour to your
home or office interiors speaking volumes about your rich and
sophisticated tastes! Antique decorative carpets are
extravagantly beautiful home furnishings and solid art
investments. Antique carpets and rugs are not just decorative
items but pieces of tradition, ethnicity and true class
portraying a continuous cultural tradition dating back thousands
of years! Antique carpets and rugs represent enormous range in
motifs and color harmonies and you will simply go berserk seeing
the diverse combination of rich antique colors and heavy
intricate weaving that are just too awesome!

The diverse range of antique carpet pieces that you will come
across while shopping for them are mostly exquisite Oriental
carpets and rugs portraying the mystery and legends of the far
off Oriental lands! Antique carpets and rugs are mostly imported
from China, Persia, India, Afghanistan, Caucasus and Turkey.
Some of the famous weaving areas of such antique Oriental
carpets include Oushak, Sultanabad, Tabriz, Kashan, Agra, and
many more.

Antique carpets and rugs have a more artistic integrity, as
they are exclusively hand-woven! So get ready to pay handsomely
for these artifacts that are exotic and so royal! Various art
dealers and carpet galleries all over the world are doing brisk
business selling these antique beauties at extravagant prices!
Clients are ready to pay just about anything to own one and
redefine their home décor status!

Following are some of the famous varieties of antique Oriental
carpets that you will come across while shopping for them!

* Antique Sultanabad carpet
* Antique Bidjar carpet
* Antique Tabriz carpet
* Antique Agra carpet
* Antique Amritsar carpet
* Antique Kashan carpet
* Antique North Indian carpet
* Antique Serapi carpet
* Antique Heriz carpet
* Antique Kurdish carpet
* Antique Kirman carpets
* Antique Chinese carpets
* Antique Samarkand carpets
* Antique Lavar carpet
* Antique Oushak carpet
* Antique North West Persian carpet
* Antique Saraouk carpet

You will also come across antique European carpets depicting
the history and artistic grandeur of the ancient European
period! These European antique carpets are also hand woven in
the carpet weaving areas of Savonnerie, Aubusson, and Ax
Minster! Some of the famous European antique carpets that you
would love to possess are as follows:

* Antique Ax minister carpet
* Antique Savonnerie carpet
* Antique Aubusson carpet
* Antique Cuenca carpet
* Antique English Needlework carpet
* Antique English Pile carpet
* Antique Don Egan carpet
* Antique Besserabian carpet

So if you want to add that luster and glamour to your home or
office and are ready to spend quite a bit of fortune on these
exquisite pieces of art then you just can’t wait a single
moment!

First and foremost contact several reliable, knowledgeable and
genuine art dealers and art galleries who deal in antique
carpets and rugs exclusively and have profound knowledge about
the various aspects of a good and genuine antique carpet! They
can guide you in selecting the best one as per your budget and
tastes.

Also you’ve got to do a bit of ‘homework’ yourself too! Visit
lots of dealers and educate yourself about dyes, wools, design
quality and weaving styles. Touch rugs and scrutinize them
carefully! Beware of machine-made synthetic carpets that some
art dealers spuriously project as antique carpet!

Some tips for you that will come handy while buying antique
carpets and rugs:

* You have to be careful and thoughtful while analyzing each
piece of antique carpet.

* You also have to try and understand the age and origin of the
carpet that will in turn give you a closer insight about the
quality of the carpet!

* You should also look to see if the edge and end borders are
all there in the antique carpet you intend to buy as the end and
edge borders sometimes are lost through use or are cut out
intentionally! Remember the borders determine the value of your
carpet!

* Watch out for holes and moth attacks that are very common
when you are dealing with antique carpets and rugs! These
problems have to be attended before you buy the carpet!

* Always deal with dealers who have the prices marked on the
rugs! See to it that your dealer sticks to these fixed prices!
Most reputable dealers have fixed and constant prices and a
well-defined policy about discounts.

About the Author: Uwe Matt makes it easy to discover antique
carpets.

Source: www.isnare.com

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Posters were very much in the vanguard of this [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> In part one of this series of articles we discussed the growth in the marketability of antique brand images and how the apparent extinction of the brand itself can lead to the rapid rise of the marketability of the antique value of the packaging itself.

Posters were very much in the vanguard of this market and it is quote ironic that when you look back from the experience of hindsight to see such names that have been involved in this type of commercial enterprise it would appear to be quite amusing.

The genre of Posters was effectively born and can be traced back to the late 1880’s when Pears Soap took the portrait “Bubbles” by Sir John Everett Millais, a portrait of his grandson and added a bar of soap to the image. This act of commerciality caused havoc within artistic circles of the day but in effect lead the way for art to be used in all future forms of advertising and posters especially.

Since the early days of advertising, artists have been involved in a number of different ways producing all kinds of commercial materials. The artist John Hassal is perhaps (within these circles) best recognised for his powerful images used for Colman’s Mustard, Capstan Tobacco and Lux Soap. In 1919, the artist Will Owen was retained to create the legendary Bisto Kids for the Gravy Salt Company. Esteemed artists of their day have always been commissioned to provide examples of their work for commercial endeavour, a practice that has not always been looked upon favourable though with the Publics fondness for this type of work, the practice has at last been recognised for what it actually is and that is a living embodiment of art itself.

It effectively took the endorsement and patronage of major institutions of the day to promote this as a credible form of acceptable art. Institutions such as London Underground led the way with this when they commissioned Edward McKnight Kauffer for their various campaigns and the Oil Company Shell too commissioned work by many famous contemporary British Artists on a wide variety of subjects ranging from the surreal imagery of Hans Shleger to the cartoon style of John Reynolds.

From a collectors point of view it is well worth remembering that big names tend to attract big name prices as far as their value of these as antiques and collectables are concerned.

The other and more oft hidden aspect of this as a form of art is concerned is the fact that packaging mirrors the major events of the day. Wars have often been a major source of inspiration for commercial art and patriotic branding. Starting with the depiction of many of the British Generals in the Boer Wars as heroes and their imagery being used in the packaging of the day and leading to how women have been depicted over the years has been an intriguing subject.

What will be the collectable items of the future? Perhaps from now on we will all look slightly differently on the material that we are prepared to consign to the rubbish bin and start to evaluate this as a potential investment in our future?

Who knows?

About the Author: Stephen Morgan writes regularly on antiques and is editor of www.absolutelyancient.com , www.definitelycollectable.com and also writes at www.absolutelyantique.us

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