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Antique Furniture Collecting For Beginnings
If you are have always appreciated a fine piece of old furniture, perhaps you've considered becoming an antique collector. Antique furniture is unique and beautiful and has a history. Modern furniture just isn't made with the same kind of detail and craftsmanship as antique. But because there is so much to know about getting into antique collecting, perhaps you've been hesitant. Don't be. Collecting antiques can be a fun and enjoyable hobby and perhaps even produce lucrative results if you find the right piece. You just have to know where to look and what to look for. The best rule of thumb is to buy what you like and to buy what you can afford. If you do this, than you'll always have a good time.
One big question for beginning antique collectors is what qualifies as an antique? In 1930 the United States Government defined antiques as an object that is at least 100 years old or built before the year 1830. The purpose of this definition was so that antiques could be admitted duty free into the U.S. Because of this, most antiques are classified as an object built before 1830. Another reason for this date is that around 1830 more furniture began to be massed produced instead of made by hand. But of course that date is just a general definition. The date of a piece doesn't necessarily make it more valuable than another. It is the quality, characteristics, rarity, and craftsmanship of the piece itself. The value of an antique is based simply on how many people want it and what they are willing to pay.
Once you've found a piece of antique furniture that you like, try to determine the age of the piece. If you're lucky you might have proof of its age, like some kind of documentation of its purchase or perhaps it came from a particular ancestor that you can document. But in most cases, determining the age of the piece depends on a few factors. One is its style. If you can figure out what the style is, perhaps by searching out similar pieces, you can determine in what period that style was popular. Other clues to its age might be in the craftsmanship process, like the way joints were joined together or the type of hardware used.
The next step in determining if your piece is an antique is the condition it is in. If it has been obviously restored or refinished, the value may be less. A poorly restored, altered, or refinished piece is usually not something a dealer would be interested in.
With these few things in mind, you can begin your collection. As mentioned before, the most important thing is whether you like it or not. It is your furniture. Don't buy a piece just because you think it might be valuable. Collect because you enjoy the craftsmanship of antique furniture.
About the Author Vintage and Modern (http://www.vandm.com/) is a antique furniture. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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