An antique is an item that has an age value of more than one hundred years and has a personal emotional connection to previous time periods.
Antique collecting is an exciting and thrilling activity which may seem complex to an amateur collector. So as to be in a better position of understanding the venture, you are advised to click on any of the links below to view more details of the topic of your choice.
To be considered as an antique, an item must be artistically and historically significant and should be able to ignite a personal connection and desirability to a person who wishes to own it.
Antiques are generally highly valued and sought after due to their intrinsic beauty, craftsmanship and quality of their design. These gives them the capability to capture deep attention and evoke psychological emotions and memories.
They may contain or be made from rare and expensive materials and components. Similarly, antiques may also be made from common, ordinary and locally available materials.
Approaching the world of antiques is like embarking on a life long journey back into history where every item has a long and deep history to tell and portray.
To an antique collector or enthusiast, setting up an adorable and valid collection is an extremely simple venture yet at the same time an equally complex activity that requires meticulous planning, foresight and hands on experience and determination.
Antique collection if properly harnessed can offer the collector a great personal thrill, enjoyment and fulfillment. These can also be accompanied by a great opportunity of making huge profits.
Some individuals engage in antique collecting so as to acquire items they have passion for or they have an emotional attachment to. They use the antiques as decorations or as signs of prestige, identity and belonging.
Other people especially cultural and social scholars and other types of enthusiasts, may be less concerned with the beauty of antiques. They collect them for their typicality, craftsmanship and also for the role they played in the economic, social and financial life of their previous owners.
Classification Of Antiques :-
Antique collecting is an extremely wide and thrilling subject. Since antiques are created and appear in hundreds of different types and forms, they are basically and broadly classified according to several factors.
- Country Of Origin :- Where an antique comes from may distinguish it from others.
- Date Of Manufacture :- When an item was made or created can place it in a particular class of antiques.
- Era Of Creation :- The reigning monarch or leader of a particular period of time when an antique was made may be used to classify it.
- Name Of Designer :- The lead designer or craftsman’s name can be a pointer on how to classify an antique.
- Composition Of Antique :- An antique can be placed in a particular class depending on the material it is made from.
- Usage :- How an antique was used or applied can be a pointer as to which class it can be placed in.
These classes of antiques are used to make wider descriptions of a particular item of interest. They assist a collector to point in their direction of interest and passion.
Certain antiques due to their long periods of existence may have a known history and record ranging from date of creation, who created it, who owned it first, who sold it first and also it’s current condition and ownership.
Such an item is called a Documented Antique and due to these description it is considered a priced item of high value and must definitely fetch good prices in the Antiques Market.
Varieties Of Antiques :-
An antique is basically an item that is no longer being produced by the original owner or in its original form.
Anything can be an antique provided it is sufficiently old enough. Antiques are used as a reference to time periods in the ancient past.
Antiques can be loosely described as Witnesses Of History since they have been in existence through a long period of time mostly exceeding a hundred years.
With these assessment in mind, an antique collector wishing to build a collection is free to venture into any variety of antiques provided he or she has a passion for that particular variety.
Here below we have highlighted the most common and highly priced varieties of antiques. Point to note is that as earlier stated an antique can be anything provided it meets the age value and also evokes emotional memories to an observer.
- Coins
- Jewelry
- Furniture
- Kitchen Ware
- Old Tools And Toys
- Arts And Paintings
- Scientific And Musical Instruments
- Books, Stamps And Maps
- Clocks
- Vinyl Players And Gramophones
- Any Other Item That Elicits Historical and Psychological Emotions.
Any item that had fallen out of fashion can be considered as an antique provided the age limit of a hundred years and above is observed. With the passage of time these items acquire a charm that excites and thrills an individual interested in antiques.
It is not a hidden secret that the world of antiques can be a great gold mine with each rare finding having a capability of opening up prospects of true financial empowerment and progress.
Why Collect Antiques :-
There is no shortage of exciting and profitable antiques that can be sourced from various places and from different people. Even a beginner can start an antique collection without fear of getting lost or confused in the business.
The most basic step in starting an antique business is to determine your motivation.
With a vast antique market and many fascinating varieties of antiques it might be overwhelming for a beginner to decide what to collect. Below we have highlighted various reasons that can spur you into realizing why you can collect antiques.
- As A Hobby :- Antiques offer an exciting thrill and a chance for personal satisfaction when you deal with them. You can engage in the activity during your free time to achieve a high level of enjoyment, pleasure and satisfaction.
- For Personal Use :- You can collect antiques so as to use them as decorations, gifts or even for their sentimental value. Antiques give an individual the prestige and recognition of being associated with a particular event, person or time period.
- For Information :- Majority of antiques offer a glimpse into livelihoods and ways of life of a certain people, region or time period. These information is portrayed to its viewers and can pass strong feelings and evoke certain desired emotions.
- For Business And Profit :- You can collect antiques that have a likelihood of earning you a profit when you link them up with the right people who appreciate their value and importance and they don’t know where to get that particular antique.
Majority of antique collectors participate in these endeavor so as to capture a piece of history and celebrate the legacy of human activity.
They wish to be the guardians of the shared history and preserving the treasures of the past so that future generations have something to cherish and smile about.
How To Collect Antiques :-
For enthusiastic antique collectors, searching for and finding a particular antique is quite an exhilarating and exciting activity that borders to an unfolding adventure.
The greatest secret is to find a particular theme that picks your interest then major on it and start building it up. With time you will find you have a big, wide and expansive collection.
Collectors engage in an activity known as ANTIQUING. These is the act of shopping, finding, searching, identifying, negotiating or bargaining for antiques so to come up with the best item at the best cost.
NOTE :- Antiquing also refers to the act of making an item appear older than it’s actual age by applying paint, varnish or any other form of distressing.
How to identify an antique that can be valid to earn good money is one of the most important factors when antiquing. A good antique is an item that fits exactly into a majority of the characteristics of antiques. These may include :-
- Age :- An item qualifies to be an antique if it is more than one hundred years of age.
- Rarity :- How many of the same item were made or are available in the market.
- Condition :- How well an item is preserved is extremely crucial when antiquing.
- Quality :- These refers to how the item is made. Is it hand made or machine machine made? What is its design and level of detail?
- Authenticity :- It is important to check the makers marks to ensure an item is genuine and authentic. Some items may require further tests more than just mere eyesight so to check and validate authenticity.
- Historical Significance :- An item that is attached to a particular time period, event or person can enhance its desirability.
- Trends :- Like all other markets, different tastes and preferences may affect an item. Demand for a particular item may vary according to market dynamics.
Always when identifying an antique be extra careful to know that any alteration from the original item may lower its desirability and hence its value. Always look out for the below mentioned flaws :-
- Scratches
- Breaks and Tears
- Dings and Gouges
- Chips
- Cracks
- Fractures
- Discoloration
- Missing or Mismatched Parts
- Signs of Repair or Reconstruction
REMEMBER :– The less that was done to the original item so to alter it, the more it’s worth. That means, the fewer the additions or deletions over the years, the BETTER.
It is polite to stare when it comes to antiquing. Look carefully at an item and take your time to observe it inside out, upside down and right side up.
You need to understand the damage and changes the piece has undergone so to know if the item pleases you. Also knowing the flaws of an item can be a negotiating tool whenever you are antiquing.
How To Market Antiques :-
Now that you have settled on an antique that has the potential of attracting a buyers attention and interest, it is now high time to start finding that buyer who will be so much aroused to an extent of paying money so to acquire your antique.
If you are not focused well enough and if you lack proper knowledge or information and also if you have not followed our guide carefully, then you will experience a lot of difficulties when finding genuine and legitimate market for your antique.
So as to ensure you are well prepared and so as to get good value for your antique, here below we have highlighted the various crucial steps you can follow and keep mind so you have a head start advantage in the activity.
- Avoid Forced Sales :- Since you have done a prior research of your antique, you might then be privy and aware of its approximate value. If you are in a desperate financial situation you might end up in a forced sale thus getting less returns for your valuable antique.
- Target Your Selling Time :- Always make a timing to sell when there is high demand for your antique. These improves your chances of securing best prices for it.
- Engage Reputable Dealers :- Always link up with antique dealers who have good reviews and are accredited with requisite government licenses and permits.
- Attend Antique Exhibitions :- These will ensure you have a good view of what other collectors are putting for business and also what buyers want. It also helps you to upgrade and better prepare yourself according to the market dynamics.
- Submit To Antique Auctions :- These ensures that your antique is well advertised and is visible to many people who can express interest in it and offer a good price.
- Exercise Due Diligence :- Always trust your heart and never follow things that don’t sound natural or logical.
Antique Collecting being an extremely wide and complex activity must not be necessarily a confusing engagement. By being able to diligently follow the simple steps and process that we have outlined in these guide you can be ready to engage in a fruitful and successful life long business venture.