Whether you have a passion for history or just enjoy antiquing to fill your home with unique items, collecting antiques is an excellent way to get to know about the past and better understand it. Antique collectors are people who dedicate their lives to identifying, researching, and valuing historical objects. Their eye for detail has been perfected over time, but you don’t need years of experience to be a successful collector. Anyone can learn the key things to look for in any piece of antiques. Antique collectors identify pieces that meet their standards through a series of factors they deem important. Familiarizing yourself with these details will help you identify potential antique pieces that may be right up your alley.
Here are six things antique collectors look for in a piece.
Age
Age is a crucial component of any antique piece, and it’s something that will be apparent to any observer. However, it’s important to know how to identify the age of a certain item, as it’s not always obvious.
First, you’ll want to consider the materials the object is made from. Some items, like furniture, are often labeled with their materials, which will help you identify their age. Other types, like glass or metal, may not be labeled. In this case, you’ll want to look for markings that indicate the item’s origin.
Depending on the materials, they may be able to identify the era of an object through a general timeline. For example, certain metals were used in specific eras, while ceramics have a vast range of production dates.
Finally, you can try to use carbon dating to identify the exact age of a piece. This method is used on organic materials like textiles, so it might not work on all objects. If you’re unsure about the age of a piece, ask an expert to help you figure it out.
Condition
The condition of a piece is just as important as its age, and collectors often pay just as much attention to it while they’re appraising an item. If possible, you should closely inspect the entire piece, inside and out.
Examine the item’s stitching, joints, paint, and other elements closely, and see if there are any flaws or imperfections.
Be sure to examine the item from all angles, and photograph or sketch it for future reference. Better yet, if you can, bring the item to a professional for a thorough examination. Professionals will be able to identify any flaws, repairs, or other issues with the piece that you may have missed. They can also help you to estimate its value based on its condition.
Rarity
Antique collectors regularly look for rare pieces that are unique to their collections. This may involve looking at a number of factors.
For example, you may be interested in a piece that no one else has, or a piece that is exceedingly rare.
You can also examine the materials used in a piece to see if they are rare. Some materials are used less often, and may be more difficult to come by. Rarity is often associated with price, and since prices are based on supply and demand, rare items are typically worth more.
Historical Value
Antique collectors also examine the historical value of a piece simply to get a better idea of what it is. Historical value is the significance a piece has on the past, and it’s sometimes used interchangeably with historical significance.
Historical value may be determined by a number of factors, including materials, location, and the person who made or used the piece.
Historical value is often linked to rarity, and the two are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they can be used as separate factors while collecting antique pieces.
Decoration and Design
The decoration and design of an antique piece can help identify its origin, as well as its intended usage. Decoration and design typically give insight into the culture and society of the society that created the piece.
Decorations can also help identify the location where a piece was made. For example, certain symbols are associated with specific cultures or religions. In addition to decorative elements, look at the overall design of the piece.
If you can, try to identify how it was made, and try to sketch it for future reference. This will help you to better understand how the piece was made.
Repairs and Restoration
Repairs and restoration can help you identify the authenticity of a piece. If a piece is authentic, it will have some signs of wear and tear, and you may see evidence of these repairs.
While this may seem like a bad thing, it actually shows that the piece is authentic.
Authentic pieces should also have signs of restoration, which can help you identify the time period they were made in. Restoration also lets them know what type of materials were used in the piece.
Conclusion
Antique collectors look for specific details in a piece to help them identify its age, condition, rarity, historical value, decoration and design, repairs and restoration, and more. By analyzing these aspects of a piece, they are able to better identify what type of antiques are in an area, and which ones might be right for them.
