Want to Go "Antique-ing"?

An Admiration for Antiques

Posted 9/2/14 : Real Living Tidewater (Real Estate)
Hidden within the depths of your basement or forgotten on a shelf in your garage, you may have an assortment of aging items. But how do you know if any of these items are antiques? And how can you estimate their value if they were to be sold on the market?
An antique can be a piece of furniture, decorative object, or work of art produced in a former period, or according to United States customs laws, 100 years before the date of purchase.
If you would like to develop an eye for antiques, begin by attending auctions, flea markets and collectible shows. Take time to look through the items and pay attention to what industry insiders have to say about them. By doing this, you will gain a better understanding about what is important to experienced collectors. The antique community can be a tight network, and it's important to meet people who deal in your area of interest if you want to become an experienced collector.
If you really want to know the value of an antique, however, it's best to visit an appraiser for an estimate. An appraiser's estimate should be based on rarity, aesthetics, desirability, authenticity and the condition of the piece. You can do a preliminary appraisal of the piece before seeking an appraiser's opinion by following the same guidelines.
Rarity - if there were only a few pieces created or if few of the originals remain, your piece may qualify as rare. If the piece is of an unusual color, design, size or shape it may also qualify as rare.
Aesthetics - refers to the overall design of the piece. Is it well-crafted and visually pleasing?
Desirability - is defined by what is popular in the current market and can significantly increase the value of a piece.
Authenticity - unless you have unlimited access to a history database or you are a history buff, your appraiser will have to decipher if your piece is a true antique or if it is a reproduction.
Condition - the three marketable classifications of condition are mint, excellent and good. Mint condition means that the piece is perfect. Excellent means the piece has minor flaws, like a chip that has been expertly repaired. Good means that the piece is noticeably worn but not damaged. An appraiser will look for scratches, breaks, tears, chips, cracks, signs of repair, missing parts and discoloration to determine your piece's condition.