Antiquing a favourite hobby, the world over. It’s easy to see why. The pastime can be both exciting as well as profitable. However, while money can be made from buying and selling antiques, for many the hobby is also about craftsmanship, nostalgia and personal connections to items.
If you’re going to be devoting some money on furniture as well as accessories, so you may as well buy something which can hold its value after you make use of it. Antiques frequently have a greater chance of keeping their value as new machine-made furniture. In addition, antiques add a sense of warmth, history, and character to your home.
If you are buying antiques owing to their beauty, just because you absolutely love older things or just because you are hoping that they will retain their value, the best rule to follow is to buy what you like — and to make sure that keep your “RADAR” out for values. RADAR is an acronym which stands for:
- Rarity,
- Aesthetics,
- Desirability,
- Authenticity, as well as
- Really great condition.
Rarity
If no one else in your particular neighbourhood owns one, then you know that the antique is worth something. If no one in your city has one, it may be worth even more. And if no one in your country has one, chances are, you have a piece which is pretty valuable.
Aesthetics
When you are able to look at a particular antique – without wishing this or that were different about it – when all the essentials of it blend together in flawless harmony, and when it has a general pleasing appearance, then that item actually has it in the aesthetics department.
Desirability
The term ‘desirability’ is defined by what’s in fashion in the current market. For instance, a few decades after Tiffany created his now-famous lamps, many people thought of them as gaudy. As a result, prices were steals by standards today. Now people covet the artistry that Tiffany which showed.
Authenticity
Is the antique the real thing or is it a sheer shadow of the original piece? Is it from the time period which the seller says that it’s from? Is it made by the artist or organisation that is shown? If it’s signed, is the signature real? Is it the kind of antique that the seller says it is?
Really great condition
In the ideal world, choosing the right antique would always happen and the antique which you are considering buying would be in exactly the same situation as it was the day it was born. However, a lot may have happened in the last 100 or so years to the piece that you are hoping to make your own.
If you have a suspicion that you may have a valuable antique, it’s always a great idea to double check it with an appraisal. You are able to get antiques appraised online or visit a local professional for help. Either way, you’ll know for sure whether you’ve found a treasure.
