Appraise Your Antique Sideboards
Antique furniture is very popular with several individuals. Many people enjoy looking through antique stores as a casual observer; others, however, make the study and collection of antiques their life’s work. There is a science to determining the value of an antique. By definition, an antique is anything that is at least one hundred years old or more according to United States Customs, but this legal guideline is essentially for import and export revenue purposes. Age is an important factor in terms of how antiques are judged, but it is only one aspect out of many. Other components of an antique’s value include its materials, country of origin, manufacturer, previous owners, condition, authenticity, and rarity.
Whether you are a connoisseur of antique sideboards or chaise-lounges, you understand how antique appraisal works. There is no one overriding factor that determines the value of a particular piece. Instead, it is the piece as a whole. A small overstuffed couch that is no longer useable and has a few stains and small tears might not seem terribly valuable; however, once you discover that it was owned by Benjamin Franklin, the value increases substantially. The term for the history of the item is “provenance.” A particular piece might not have been owned by someone famous but if that writing desk was the surface on which the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, then its value is much higher than it would have been!
The condition of the piece is another important factor. Natural materials, such as wood buffet servers, will show their age. If a piece of 200-year-old pottery did not have a few cracks in it, it is very likely to be a fake. You do not want to see extensive damage, however. Natural damage is acceptable but if someone dropped it and did a poor repair job, the value of the antique drops substantially. If you are someone who is looking to sell an antique, remember that the market determines the value; it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.
The most important value of an antique, however, is how much it is appreciated wherever it finds a home. The monetary value is always a factor, but an item is always worth much more than that. If someone loves it and appreciates its beauty and craftsmanship, then it is a valuable antique indeed! It is not difficult to find items such as antique buffets for affordable prices, however. You just need to do some research! Do not ignore online sites, you will often find the best value here!
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