Investing in antiques
Submitted by:
laniganc
on July 23, 2009
Now that we know that investing in antiques is a very viable method of investing it is only right that we should equip you with the things that you need to know before you go out and buy antique items. This is because, as with any other purchase, there are a number of things that you need to research so that you can avoid making a mistake in your purchases. Nowadays, this has become very true for antiques because of the proliferation of antique reproductions, which can make finding authentic antique items very confusing. One example that you should know with regard to antique items is the language that antique sellers and antique enthusiast use to describe items. This is because knowing the language they speak can greatly help you with your decisions.
First, you need to know how people determine if an item is an antique or not. Apart from its age, which is usually set at 100 years, an old item is also considered an antique if it has aesthetic and historical value. Now that you know the definition of the word, you can now move on to some of the most commonly used terms in antique lingo
• Original finish: This refers to the protective coating of the item, like the varnish, which is the original coat. Usually, items with an original finish are considered very valuable.
• Original condition: This means that the items still has all of its original parts, that no replacement parts have been added over the years. This original state can usually add value to a piece.
• Patina: This refers to a piece that has years of polish, dirt, grease build-up, and wear and tear, which antique dealers consider gives character to an antique item.
• Provenance: This means the piece was has a documented history, for example a table upon which a King had signed an historical treaty.
Investing in antiques involves learning the ropes about purchasing antique items so that you would be able to make the right decisions in buying an antique item. One of the best ways to do so is to learn the language that antique dealers and enthusiasts use. This is because knowing the language can equip you with the right knowledge on what you should look for in antiques and how you can determine their value.
