How To Find the Perfect Antique Chandelier

Crystal chandeliers are a beautiful addition to any home. They can really spruce up a room or become a focal point around which you can decorate. But sometimes you want more than just a modern looking chandelier. Antique chandeliers have a very distinct, old-world look about them. Whether you get a new brass chandelier in an antique style, or find a truly old piece to hang, it can really become a point of interest in the home.

The definition of antique is an item that is old, usually at least 100 years of age, and are considered collectibles. If an antique item has been restored by more than 50 percent, it loses its title as an antique. As of right now, antique chandeliers and other furniture would have to be from at least 1910, though some will argue whether pieces dating in the '20s or '30s can count as well.

Antique style chandeliers are new chandeliers made to look as if they are true antiques and to the naked eye, they'll convince most people. Only an expert will really be able to tell if it's a reproduction or not. Taking this route is a perfect way to get the look for a lot less. You also won't have to spend most of your time searching and you'll have plenty of choices in style.

The antique look for chandeliers spans different designs. Wooden carved chandeliers are a great choice, with overly decorative carvings and a old world finish. Bowl chandeliers have a French or Italian antique look. This means the middle piece is shaped like a bowl. Beaded designs are also a very French antique style. These are the kind of things you want to look for, whether getting a reproduction or the real thing.

Finding truly antique chandeliers can be tough, but not impossible. Road shows are common where people sell their old pieces. Look up any coming near your area and take some time to browse. Also consider browsing thrift stores. They all have home sections and you will be amazed at the things people donate, not realizing their worth.

If you do choose an antique chandelier, make sure the rest of the room you are installing it in follows suite. You do not want a piece like this in the middle of modern decor. Stick with wooden furniture in deep colors and ornate, luxurious fabrics. Dark colors like burgundy and brown will really set the tone. A Victorian style will work perfectly to showcase your chandelier!

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How To Set Up An Old Striking Clock

First of all pick a permanent location for the clock. For reasons you will understand later, these clocks do not like to be moved after they have been set up. Choose a place with a nice firm and level surface away from excessive heat or cold, dust, and out of direct sunlight. The clock will keep more accurate time if the temperature remains relatively stable. Dust can damage the bearings of the clockwork because it will combine with the oil, drying it out to produce an abrasive paste, and causing rapid wear. Strong sunlight will soon cause unsightly fading to the finish of the clock case. Bear in mind that what is level on a spirit-level is not necessarily level to an old clock. This is because of previous adjustments made to the escapement, or warping of the clock-case, for example.

Next you must remove any packing materials from inside the clock and hang the pendulum carefully on to the hanger (crutch) usually by hooking it onto a small pin or projecting barb, but sometimes the hook is on the pendulum rod itself. Now that the pendulum has been fitted you must be very careful when moving the clock, as there is potential to do great damage to the escapement if the pendulum is allowed to swing around freely. Reach in through the back door and gently hold the pendulum steady while you move it to its final position.

The next thing is to wind both springs up until the key will turn no further. To start the clock, carefully lift one side of the case no more than an inch or two then gently set it down again. If it does not start ticking, simply repeat this action from the other side this time. You may find that the clock will tick perfectly while held at an angle, but will stop when set down on the level surface. If this happens, the crutch has been moved out of calibration and must be moved to one side to correct the alignment. There are two ways to accomplish this: Either you can place something under one side of the clock to hold it at the required angle, which is ok if the angle is small, otherwise it may look a little odd. The other way is to physically move the crutch with your hand, so that the crutch is correctly aligned when the clock is level on the mantel. This is easy to do, but a delicate touch and a fair bit of patience are needed. Most clockworks have a 'sliding clutch' at the pivot, which allows easy adjustment to the correct angle of the pendulum hanger. Looking in through the back door you will see the pendulum suspended on its hanger - the 'crutch'. If you need to lift the clock on the left side to make it run, then push the crutch gently but firmly to the left side until it only just moves. Now try the clock to see if it runs when level. If it does, then you are done. If not you will have to make further adjustments. If you have to lift the clock on the right to make it run, then you must move the crutch to the right. Once the clock is running when level, you should listen carefully to the sound of the ticks. If they are exactly even, the clock is said to be 'in beat', and the adjustment is complete. If you can hear the ticks as two close together followed by a pause, like a person limping, you still have to move the crutch a very small amount until the ticks are exactly evenly spaced. This whole process is one of trial and error - there is no way to say in advance how much movement will be needed. Your patience may well be sorely tested!

One more thing to check is whether the clock counts the correct number of strikes on the hours. The easiest way to do this is to push gently on the minute hand, so that it turns clockwise. NEVER PUSH THE MINUTE HAND BACKWARDS. THIS WILL CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE! Note that it does not matter if the clock is stopped or running at this point. If you must pass through a half-hour, pause briefly and allow the gong to strike and reset before moving the hand to the next full hour. As the minute hand touches the 12 you should hear the mechanism begin to activate. Move the hand a little further and it will begin to strike. Count the number of strikes and note if these are the same as the indicated time. If so, the clock is now fully set up. If the strike-count is wrong it can be easily put right. Stop the clock and move the minute hand to 2 or 3 minutes past the next full hour. Looking in from the back, you will see a lever high up on the left side of the clockwork. Flick this lever up and down with your finger. The clock will begin to strike. Repeat this action, pausing each time to allow the strike-sequence to complete, until the clock counts the correct number of hours. The clock is now ready for use.

Now that the clock is running and striking correctly, you will need to observe it over a few days to see if it keeps good time. It is generally possible to get a pendulum clock to an accuracy of +/- 1 minute per week. If your clock runs too fast, make the pendulum longer by winding the little nut under the weight down a little. If the clock runs too slow, make the pendulum a little shorter by winding the nut up a little. One full turn of the nut can make a difference of several minutes per day, so go easy. By making small adjustments once each day, you should have your clock running at the correct speed within a week. At last you may now sit back and enjoy your new clock!

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Most Important Things You Should Know About Antique Furniture

Antique items are very famous nowadays. With the real estate market in the state it is in right now, many real estate marketers believe placing some antique furniture in a home will significantly increase the assumed sale value. In addition, spending money on buying antique beds etc. for a home is a wise investment. The vintage furniture never loses its value, and in many cases appreciates; the value of the vintage furniture may increase as time passes. Although it is very easy to buy vintage furniture nowadays (you can even get the delivered to your doorsteps by ordering it online), several factors are to be considered to make your purchase more rewarding. This guide will help you to identify and buy the best vintage furniture available out there.

Identifying the Real Antique Furniture
You should remember the fact that the word "antique" refers to any object that is more than 100 years old. When it comes to vintage furniture, there are two types such as "real antique items" and "Antique design inspired furniture". The genuine vintage furniture is a great treasure, which will be many years old. However, the antique design inspired ones will only reflect the antique design. The material will not be really antique. Figuring out the real antique pieces is extremely simple. You may be aware of the fact that woods shrinks due to aging. Antique furniture will have irregular measurements. If the finishing of the furniture is fantastic and new looking then it may not be a genuine antique.

Determining the Value
All kinds of antique objects will not have the same value. It depends upon several factors like age, quality, application, design, make etc. In order to find the value of the furniture, you need to be experienced in antiques. You can get lots of information about antique furniture if you spend a little time researching on the web. Generally, antique furniture will be valued based on the condition, rarity, and background.

Checking the Solidity of the Furniture
You should also keep in mind the fact that antique furniture retains its value only if it is fully functional. Most antique specialists insist on moving and using the furniture to ensure the solidity and functionality.

Buying Antique Online
You can buy antique furniture on the web and get it delivered to your doorstep while you just relax. However, it is very much important to make sure that the online antique furniture store of your choice is authentic as you won't be able to check the furniture before they get shipped to you. No matter how you buy it, the real vintage furniture is a valuable asset in any house.

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Music Boxes - A Treasured Gift For Years To Come

Music boxes are considered special treasures by a great many people. Originating in the 19th century, these automatic musical devices generate music when a set of pins are positioned on a revolving disc or cylinder. They are not widely manufactured nowadays and tend to be regarded as collector's items. Those that I remember as a child would often have a ballerina or an angel inside which would spin to a tune. They are a terrific gift for a friend, mother, sister or granddaughter and can quickly cheer someone up and bring a smile to their face. They are available in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes, with many being designed for wedding cakes. Four distinctive kinds to collect are traditional, vintage, reuge, and porter.

Reuge music boxes are a wonderful gift for a special someone in your life. As they are often much too expensive for many people, purchasing contemporary Reuge products is a good option. Several online stores that sell gift items have a good variety, including those specially designed for children.

Carousel music boxes are extremely popular and have been for many years. Some of them not only play music and spin around but light up as well. A few sources for antique carousels are internet auctions, newspaper ads, estate sales and garage sales.

Vintage music boxes are often prized possessions, and most people will cherish them for a great many years. They are excellent collectible items, however purchasing them requires a great deal of knowledge and planning. They are available in various styles, and may play tunes longer than contemporary kinds.

Musical jewelry boxes have been around for many years and will make you smile every time you open them up. Piano music boxes are now as popular as musical jewelry boxes with a twirling ballerina. Made in the shape of a piano, they are quite likely to be handed down as a family heirloom. They are much more than just a music box, they are a thing of beauty.

There are numerous classic and antique music boxes and collectibles available to collectors. They may be purchased in retail stores, gift shops, or specialty boutiques. Egg-shaped varieties are also popular with both children and adults, and make an excellent Easter gift. These treasured collectibles are a great sentimental gift to let someone know how special she is. They are also a wonderful gift for the person who has everything.

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Selling Online? The True Definition of a Collectible

Seasoned antiques and collectibles dealers may find the concept to be 'old hat,' but the truth is, the more popular and desirable a thing is, the greater likelihood it will sell quickly. That truth is not always readily apparent to those who are new to this rather specialized sales arena, however. So the 'True Collectible' guideline is an attempt to convey the principle.

The online selling field may seem infinite in scope, too, with millions of potential customers worldwide. But, success in selling collectibles on the Web is gained in much the same way as it is in the physical world, by knowing buyers' needs and meeting them. Success can depend to a great degree on whether or not you are offering collectible properties able to meet at least one of these three key commercial elements:

1. Not easily obtainable locally. 
2. Wide appeal due to a current surge in popularity or because an item is able to 'cross over' collecting boundaries. 
3. Competitive pricing.

Consider the Market's Opinion of the Item
Say that whenever she can, your neighbor's Great Aunt Mable clips articles about David Hasslehoff out of current periodicals. She collects these by pasting them into a scrapbook. Is it likely that multitudes of other people share her desire to do this? If she were to try to sell said scrapbook full of modern clippings online, would very many buyers react favorably and vie to buy it? While her scrapbook may be factually described as 'rare' or a 'one of a kind' item, who else but Mable might care to own it, even so? How can such an item be assigned sure status as a 'true collectible' with an established and recognizable monetary value?

Because collectors often look upon their collections as having investment potential, collectibility always contains monetary implications. So, manufacturers often hype the 'limited' nature of new items they have to sell, or they might place a public declaration on the item itself, to imply sure and certain future value.
But, neither limiting production, nor printing the words 'Fine Collectible' on either an item or the box in which it came, can ensure that future collectors will want items more than others do today - or that they will be willing to pay more to own them. Great Aunt Mable's scrapbook illustrates that simply knowing someone, somewhere, collects a particular thing can't automatically grant that thing status as a 'true' collectible. Maybe 50 or 100 years in the future Mabel's scrapbook will be all the rage. Today, and probably for the near foreseeable future, others will judge it to be just a scrapbook full of common clippings.

Only the market at large can decide which things are highly desirable or more valuable than other objects. The individual collector or manufacturer has little actual ability to impact secondary market choices in regard to preferential items.

So, What is a 'True Collectible?'
Basically a True Collectible is an item for which a reasonably well numbered audience of avid buyers can be expected to exist and for which a pattern of recognizable trade on the secondary market has been established.

If that statement doesn't clarify the notion sufficiently, it may help to mentally replace the word 'true' with the word 'legitimate.' A 20-year-old sock previously owned by a musician would not be a 'legitimate' collectible. But a sock of the same age, and the unimpeachable provenance of having been on the right foot of Elvis Presley while he performed 'Jail House Rock' on the Ed Sullivan show, would be legitimate, since trade in Elvis memorabilia is a well established collecting niche.

To 'collect' means to accumulate as a hobby or for study. A 'collection' is a group of objects or works to be seen or kept together. But a 'collectible' is a group or class of objects sought by collectors. Note that the definition is expressed in plural form, 'by collectors.'

When something can stand the 'test of time' and even though an older item (or perhaps because it is older) people seek it, then offering it to collectors on the open market at an attractive price can logically be expected to result in its sale. If something very new cannot yet be found in a printed price guide book, printed for collectors, then a sale will likely be slow or non-existent, or the price at which it must be sold in order to move it out of inventory will not create an appreciable profit.

Confirming whether a piece has been mentioned in a printed price guide book as required by site listing requirements can help to ensure it meets the designation of a 'true collectible,' as defined above. If determinations like this are always made before listing newer items, shoppers are likely to begin to find a wider variety of the kinds of things they are actively seeking. And a gradual increase in sales may very well be the welcomed result.

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The Friendly Asian Tiger Collectible

The stories about the Asian tiger are very powerful. The legends are genuinely alluring because the tiger is something many people throughout the world find interesting. There is something about the tiger that is seductive, but it also warns us of danger. When it comes to the Asian tiger collectible, the enticement to have one in your home or office is seemingly irresistible. When a person learns even a few of the stories about these Asian tigers, it is not difficult to be tempted to get your own Chinese tiger figurine!

In old Korea, only unmarried, young people would wear brightly colored attire. This way their youth and beauty would stand out for all to see, especially other young people. The married people had to wear drab tan or gray clothing. The elderly people would wear white, which is quite interesting. In any case, the worship of nature spirits was very commonplace among Asian people no matter where they came from. In one story a Korean teenage boy follows a very beautiful, young girl home one day. However, the boy got more than he bargained for! A tiger was her guardian and protector. The tiger was a powerful ally and capable of fierce retribution. The young girl's innocence was safeguarded by this tiger, who may have been a nature spirit in physical form. No one really knows for sure, but the implication is certainly there. There is also an exquisite painting of this story called "The Tiger Girl."

The ancient symbol for the Chinese tiger is famous throughout Asia. The emblem itself signifies dignity, ferocity, sternness, courage, and (by itself) is considered Yin energy. Therefore, as a symbol of protection, the image is often worn on clothing or is placed around one's home. In doing this it is thought that the power of the tiger will help ward off harm and assure safekeeping. In fact, the people in certain areas of China and Asia consider the "Tiger" to be the God of Wealth. While the Tiger symbol may not be as dominant as the Dragon, it is still a highly honored piece to own.

In reality, the South Chinese tiger species is worthy of consideration as the possible source for much of Asia's fascination with the Tiger symbol. The South Chinese tiger (Panthera tigris amoyenis) is also known as the Chinese Amoy or Xiamen tiger. It is a subspecies of tiger native to the forests and jungles of South China in particular. The tiger is one of the smaller species. Sadly, it is also the most critically endangered of any living tiger species. Experts in this area of study insist that there are possibly fewer than 20 of these special tigers left in the wild. They also warn that the South Chinese tiger could become extinct within the next decade or so. The Chinese tiger is thought to be the stem tiger which all other tigers may have originated, according to these experts. No matter the case, the South Chinese tiger has been listed more recently as one of the world's 10 most endangered animals.

This subspecies of tiger is one of the smallest of its known breed. Male tigers measure about 2.6 m or 8 ft. from head to tail. They weigh about 150 kg or 330 lbs. The female tiger is smaller, measuring about 2.3 m or 7.5 ft. long. The female weighs about 110 kg or 240 lbs. It is noteworthy that the short, broad stripes of this tiger are spaced far apart when compared with the stripes of the Bengal or Amur tiger breeds.

Since the year 1990, China's State Forestry Administration has been leading the effort to preserve the South Chinese tiger from extinction through the establishment of special Nature Reserves for the 10 to 30 Chinese tigers believed to be left in the wilderness. A 1987 study by Chinese scientists also reported a few tigers remaining in the Guangdong mountain area, which borders Hunan and Jiangxi Provinces. Still, another survey in 1990 noted evidence of about a dozen tigers in 11 reserves in remote mountain areas of Guangdong, Hunan, and Fujian Provinces. These provinces are all located in South China. However, no actual tigers were seen.

All these reasons cited are valuable information to the collector of the Asian tiger figurine. They inform us all of the special place that the Asian tiger has in a anyone's home or place of business to enhance their decor strategy. The are indeed enchanting pieces to own simply because of their legendary appeal, their beloved history, and their actual existence in our world today. There could easily be a Tiger on the Asian collectibles market right now who is ready for you to bring it home to serve as your personal protector. Good luck in finding your new friend!

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The Fun of Shopping For Antiques

There are many hobbies out there but for many nothing could be as satisfying as antiquing. This is one hobby that takes time and effort but once you get started, you will not be able to stop. It is fun and you just never know what you might find out there. For many, antiques are very interesting.

The first thing that you should do before you start is to read. Read up on different genres and styles. Think about what you would like to collect and why. Once you have narrowed your focus a little, it can be easy and a lot more enjoyable.

Once you have a focus, you can then begin looking. This is the fun part. Go to antique stores, thrift stores, any place that you might find what you are looking for.

Only get what you can afford. You truly need to stick to a budget. This should be a fun experience. Not one that puts you into debt. You want to enjoy this experience. It should be a hobby, not something that will break the bank.

When you really know what you are looking for, you will not be scammed as easily. There are many replications out there. You do not want to purchase a replicated item thinking it is real. That can make this hobby miserable.

Half the fun is looking to see how much your newly acquired antiques are worth. You may be surprised at which items are actually worth more than what you paid for them. With the invention of many online auction sites, many items have really been devalued. Many times there were no way of knowing how many of a certain item there were out there - the internet has put all of this in perspective.

You may also want to research a particular item before you go shopping. Comparing prices online can put things in perspective. It can also help to bring a device with you shopping so you can actually look online in real time as you are shopping. This helps many antiquers get great deals and know just what they should be paying for an item. It also helps to know how rare an item is.

Really, the best way to antique is to shop online. You can get the best deals this way. The selection is also much larger on the internet. Most antiquing experts will tell you that this is the number one way to shop. While it can be a lot of fun to shop in real stores, doing it online is more time efficient as well as less expensive.

So if you are thinking about antiquing as a hobby, do your homework first. Know what you want and what your focus will be. Decide if you want to look for large pieces, like furniture, or smaller pieces, like figurines. Whatever you chose, it should be your passion. Get into something that you love. You will be glad you did and it will make the entire hobby much more fun.

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The Reasons Behind Antique Collection

A lot of antique collectors have already increased in the number all throughout the time. These people have a certain connection in which they alone can completely understand and appreciate the same things that they are up to. For us, collecting antiques is perhaps just a waste of time, an addiction, a reckless spending or merely a nonsense activity. However, for the people who are greatly inclined with arts, this kind of collection is an achievement on their part that is tagged with elegance, brilliance, money and superb taste.

What are antiques, by the way? To give us better understanding on what really these things are, we will try to look on its meaning. An antique in its simplest definition, is a form of an old and historical collectible item. It is among those that are highly collected simply because of the beauty, condition, emotional connection or attachment, and some other distinctive features that are behind it. It represents the old times or the previous period for at least somehow 50 years old or more. The longer and older the item is, the better value it has.

We may wonder why antique collectors have to go through a very unbelievable degree of passion, where they really spend much and take a trip to the different sides of the globe, just to see and personally the buy items that have been buried long ago. What could possibly be the reasons for this zeal and enthusiasm for such an old item?

One of the reasons and explanations behind antique collection are the monetary returns that it gives to the collectors, most especially for those who are in the buying, trading and selling scene. These items have very high value in the market and in the business world. There are certain antique dealers, who even really travel to some countries that are history wise, just to dig up and unravel items that may appear of no value to the ordinary people, but are certainly magnificent masterpieces to artists. Moreover, this collection signifies fame and social acceptance. It has been a usual norm that having excess views of our wealth through the material possessions already creates a very nice impression.

Furthermore, an added ground for such a collection is personal fulfillment and satisfaction. To them, the art of collecting these items, may it be antique picture frames, furniture, or other ornaments, is a very good therapy. It gives a rewarding feeling and sense of pleasure and happiness that are beyond compare. Seeing over their magnificent collections is undoubtedly a stress relieving and a healing thing to do.

People may have different reasons for collecting, but whatever is behind it, the most important thing is the contentment and gratification that the activity provides. Engaging in the collection of any items, may this appear to be an antique or not, is not bad for as long as it has served its purpose well. We just have to inculcate into our minds that in everything we do, tagged along are the responsibilities that we have to take.

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Vintage Salt Shakers and Where to Find Them

There are many collectors of vintage salt shakers today. Collecting is an interesting business, especially if one is dealing with readily available items such as the salt and pepper shakers. If you want to join others in this business, this article will be very useful to you. When dealing with old stuff, you ought to plan yourself. Shakers, especially the designs that emerged in the nineteenth century are very, very old and are grouped among the Victorian Age items.

So, you can start collecting the salt and pepper shakers based on their time of construction. It is easier to collect quickly and effectively following this kind of plan. Secondly, you may want to consider using the very old American manufacturers as your guiding light. There are many companies existing such as the Fiz & Floyd. Be sure to search each brand's information because this can help you know what shoppers feel about its shaker product line.

Each brand will have a wide range of vintage shakers and it will even be difficult to distinguish the best ones. Another factor to base your search upon would be the design of shakers. There are many designs available but they are all compressed into five groups including nodders, huggers, minis, stackers and hangers. Well, if you are collecting shakers for the first time, you may want to use the Internet to search information about any of the above categories.

Would like to know other ways to search? You can simply read all there is about the vintage salt shakers just to get familiar with them. If you want a short cut, you can visit various online stores that are seriously in this business. Look through their product categories for antique salt and pepper shakers and view the images. Most of the times, a short description and product features will accompany the image.

Even so, you cannot find enough history about these old treasures without making an effort to search for it. If your plan is selling collectibles online as well, you may want to sell an older shaker with all its history, if possible, to make it more interesting to the shoppers. It is advisable to join a collecting club because it will be easy to gather information from other members.

These clubs are available on the Internet too. As you view various images, you will realize that these items boast various themes because their source is not only the U.S. Some will come from the most cultural oriented communities in Asia such as Japanese, particularly the porcelain styles. What is more, a few of these items will feature famous themes such as the Santa Clause for Xmas, King and Queen, Indian Chief, and even animal themes.

In case you have special interest in metallic stuff, the sterling silver shakers will be good choices. These are the commonest vintage salt shakers available in the marketplace today. People love them because they are long lasting and will even last for several years if properly maintained. Besides, silver plus glass models do look great and even though they are slightly fragile, you can learn how to handle them carefully.

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Ways to Clean and Maintain Antique Salt Shakers

The antique salt shakers are older models that often become very attractive to collectors and shoppers. In fact, these are items for inheritance, passed down from a generation to another. In some homes, you will find a very old salt and peppershaker, which looks as good as new. If properly maintained, these items can last for years and years with zero scratches, marks or stains.

When considering antique, you are basically looking for Victorian Era products. These are the products that emerged first between 1860 and 1910. They were mainly made of high quality glass and are available until today. However, you should also expect to find several porcelain, crystal, and silver salt and peppershakers.

They are all very beautiful and have the potential to last longer only if one is willing to give them the attention they deserve. How should you clean and maintain the antique salt shakers? Although there are many different types available, the cleaning procedure is generally the same. Buy some baking soda because it will be necessary in your kitchen for other reasons.

Then, boil some water and put it in a bowl or another clean basin. Pour a few teaspoons of baking soda into the water and then soak your salt and peppershaker in the solution for a few minutes. Next, remove it, rinse with clean water and place it upside down on a clean, flat surface. As mentioned above, some of these old versions are very sensitive and require careful handling.

That is why you want to use a sharp item to remove dirt, such as a toothpick or clean stick. Before you can do that, remove the contents from the shaker and use the sharp object to scratch the clogged holes and sticky dirt. Any antique saltshaker made of metal, such as a silver shaker will develop rust stains. In order to remove these stains you want to soak the appliance in ammonia solution. Ensure that a room has good ventilation so as not to pollute for the ten minutes the shakers would remain in the solution.

Sometimes the rust stain will not come out because it might have grown to a permanent level and in such a case the shaker would require refinishing treat. If you do not have to redecorate your silver saltshaker, then look for professionals who are willing to do it for a fee. In order to protect these items so that you can use them in the long run, keep them empty especially if you do not have to use them.

By the way, you do not have to clean these appliances often. Twice every year wash will give them a constant sheen and beauty. If properly maintained, these antique salt shakers are little cute items that most people would love to collect. Are you a collector? If you are, the Internet is a good resource for you since it has information as well as products. Choose lovely products that you can soon or later put on sale online or offline.

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What Is an Antique Roadshow All About?

If you possess a love and fascination with antiques, crafts or collectibles, and you spend your time gathering these old items from rummage sales, antique shops or your own attic, then you will love antique roadshows.

This show started out in the United Kingdom in 1979, and was a group of appraisers that specialized in different areas of antiques and collectibles. The appraisers would travel to different locations and invite ordinary people to come to the show with any items they believed could be of value. A handful of people would be chosen to appear on the show with their items, and the specialist would tell them how much they were worth, or if the items were worthless.

Antique road shows became popular very quickly, and spread to many other countries. The show is one hour long, and the hosts add a cultural element to the show by describing and explaining the history of the items, which adds a sense of understanding and interest for viewers. Usually if an item has no value, the appraisal will not be shown on television, to spare the owner the embarrassment and frustration. However, if the worthless item has an interesting background story, or if the origin of the item is relevant to the location, where they are filming the show, then they will be featured on the show.

Sometimes a local person might bring in an item that they believe is very rare, and worth a great deal. If the appraiser discovers that the item is in fact a counterfeit, and not worth anything, they may invite the owner to be on the program anyway, so the expert can explain the difference between the counterfeit and the real thing.

Some people have been collecting antiques for years, and it does not matter if you are an avid collector, or if you have a random collection of unusual items, you can bring anything to be appraised. You can bring paintings, jewelry, photography, furniture, clothing, toys, blankets, and anything else that has been sitting around your house.

There have also been a few odd things brought to the show for valuation, such as locks of hair, a potato that looks like Richard Nixon and even stuffed roadkill. So, the reaction to the appraisal can go both ways, some people think they have something great and it ends up being worthless, and others think they have something worthless and it ends up being great.

After the valuation, the owner can decide what they want to do with their item if it has a high appraisal value. The owner can be given a sense of urgency for having the item insured, and given an idea of how much insurance they should have. Sometimes the owner may decide to sell at auction, or donate a historical item to a museum or library. There are also cases where the antique may have been stolen and needs to be returned to the rightful owner, which just adds another layer of interest to the show.

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What To Remember When Antiquing For Profit

Antiquing for profits is something that many people try to do, but are not always successful at this. The antique business can be a very profitable profession. However, it may not be as easy as some might think. These days the antique business is really a very competitive market. Antique furniture used as home accessories are in very high demand. Therefore, these things are not always easy to find at the marketplace at a price that will allow room for profit.

The key point to making a profit in any sale is ensuring that your investment is as low as possible. The only way that this can be done is by being knowledgeable about an items value to start with. Do not make purchases you know nothing about. It is best to find your niche and stick with it when it comes to antiquing.

Choosing a niche that is interesting to you personally will be another key to success. If you do not find what you are looking for to be interesting, you will grow bored easily. Growing bored means that you will stray from the things that you know the most about. This leaves a great deal of room for error and falling profits.

With the vast array of different items out there, it would take a great deal of time to learn about everything. It is more logical if you learn a great deal about a few different items. This way you will be less likely to make purchases on items that you will not be able to get a return from.

Once you have armed yourself with the knowledge you need, you are then ready to start the search for the items of which you are interested. The search, for many antique seekers, is the thrill. There are many ways to find great items. Estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, storage unit auctions, and secondhand stores are usually among the favorite places for an antique lover to shop.

When you have found a great place to find particular items, stick with it. For example, your specialty may be furniture. Once you have discovered that garage sales are the best place to find these items at the best price, continue to keep this knowledge at the forefront of your searches.

No matter which place you choose to look for antiques to resell, always remember that antiquing is a cutthroat profession. There will be people out there that will knock you down and steal the item that you are after. They will do whatever they can to get the item first. Often times, these people will succeed and make the most profit in their business because they are passionate about what they are doing.

Being a successful antique dealer will take a great deal of hard work and passion. This is especially true if you expect to make a good profit on the items that you are selling. Excessively many people think that they can just jump in and start making money. Making money at this business will take time and lots of it as does all profitable businesses.

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Antique Vases

Finely worked for display

Antique vases are probably one of the few decorative ceramics that are equally appreciated and popular, both in the east and west.

Due to traditional and cultural differences this can be said of few other items. certain ceramic items are clearly more preferred by collectors in the west than by Chinese. On the other hand, items that the Chinese consider important may not receive the same attention in western countries.

Antique plates, dishes and chargers, for example, find a much greater interest in the west than in China itself. These plates are put in cabinets, displayed on stands or hung on the wall with specially devised hangers. Traditionally these were not considered for display in China.


For a Chinese it was almost unthinkable to use a plate for decoration. Plates were purely utilitarian and not for decoration! Although antique plates and dishes are now collected too, this is mostly due to western collecting trends.

Apart from the decorative vases typical Chinese items like teapots, writing paraphernalia like brush washers, water droppers, etc., that specifically are a part of Chinese culture are more appreciated. These find less interest in the west, however.


Assumedly, those who collect them today in the west often are generally interested in anything related to Chinese culture, not only antique porcelain.


Decoration Of Timeless Beauty
Vases were made in China in all sizes, but the smaller ones are generally much smaller than any European vase. Some easily can fit into a pocket. One can only wonder why these tiny things were made so small? Nevertheless, many still have been finely decorated and are now popular as vitrine objects.

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Glaze Characteristics of Antique Chinese Porcelain

Details on Glaze Characteristics
Basically, we should take into consideration that some glaze characteristics of very old Chinese porcelain do not exist in western porcelain. Europe's actual porcelain production only started in the late 18th century. Thus, we cannot compare Chinese porcelain older than the Qianlong period with European porcelain.


Glaze contractions
This said, the first thing to be mentioned are the glaze contractions. They can give some evidence of the age of porcelain, and yet they are not real age characteristics that developed over the years. This seems contradictory but can be understood in the light of the cause of these contractions.Glaze contractions can only be used as indirect age signs. Actually, they are indicative of environment conditions under which porcelain was produced at a certain time and in certain kilns; glaze contractions were more prevalent in earlier times, but some early 20th century kilns also produced such glaze contractions, due to the presence of similar conditions. Glaze contractions are basically a quality problem that became less prevalent during the middle of the Qing dynasty (18th century) because the production environment was better controlled by then. It deterioriated again in the 19th century, however, because of reduced control of these conditions.

More on glaze contractions.
The existence of contractions indicates a production environment that was not "clean" enough, a problem that many kilns experienced until conditions improved much later on.

This also clarifies why some porcelain items of the 20th century may have glaze contractions ? the production environment in those kilns was not clean.


Crackles
Crackles can develop naturally and can also be made to develop artificially by adding certain minerals to the glaze.

Age crackles that are naturally developing are often discolored by elements from the environment that seep into these very fine cracks, which then may attain a yellow or brownish tone on a base color that is white. With items that have been excavated the discoloration may contain elements of the soil. In tableware even in vintage ceramics we can see crackles discolored by sauces or other food ingredients that entered the crackled glaze. Sometimes the whole color of a bowl is darkened by these.

One thing that natural age crackles often have in common is that they are not uniform in size. Often they cover only part of the surface, or only a part of the crackles is discolored while the rest is barely visible in the transparent glaze.

The white glaze of Chinese porcelain seldom changes color over time, unless it was exposed for a long time to other substances. Even some porcelains of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) are still white and clean today as if they were just made. For this reason, crackles sometimes are the only indication in the glaze that some changes took place over time. However, often no crackling is present. It really depends on the composition of the glaze. This is just another example how age signs may be different from item to item.


Shiny & mellow glazes
The transparent glass-like glaze characteristics that give some porcelains their shine was available throughout the Qing dynasty. There are Ming dynasty items with a mellow gloss, but generally the porcelains of earlier times did have a glaze giving off a mellow gloss in the light, but was hardly as reflective and shiny as the transparent glazes of the late Qing dynasty.

The thickness of the transparent glaze varied from kiln to kiln and from period to period, thus the shiny or matte appearance also differs according to the period and location (kiln) a porcelain item was fired. The more lustrous and shiny a glaze is, the more likely iy is as a product of the late Qing dynasty.


Glaze characteristics of recent Chinese porcelain
Doubtless, when mentioning modern or recent glazes, the glazes used on fake antiques must also be mentioned. Sometimes the latter are different from the glaze of porcelain items we use in our daily lives today. The fakers will try to reproduce ancient manufacturing methods, but as the compositions of modern glazes are different, the result of the firing process is sometimes revealing a gloss that was unseen in glazes of the distant past. An important point when looking for traces of faking.

If a porcelain item of doubtful age has a very shiny and reflective glaze, it often is attributed to the first half of the 20th century. Apparently, later on glazes became a little more mellow, less reflective than those from those during earlier decades.

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Antique Collectors - Tips and Tricks to Start Collecting

Antique collecting has been a popular pastime for the past 40 years; the popularity of the hobby has exploded with the fresh lineup of antique collectors on reality shows, making sometimes thousands of dollars from one found item. Online antique stores offer an even easier solution to hunting for treasures and the public can't get enough. Amateur or beginner collectors are combing nooks and crannies, attics and cellars; but is it just about the money? Old-school Antique collectors will tell you that money is the last thing on their minds; that antique collecting is about a passion for history and is as much about acquiring knowledge as it is old rugs, books or furniture. Whether you're in it for money or love, you have to start somewhere.


What will you collect?
Choosing your item shouldn't be very difficult; simply pick something you already love or have always wanted to learn more about. You may want to start with an item that you have a personal connection with: an old toy or doll you couldn't part with as a child, or a stamp collection you always admired. Whatever you decide, make sure you have a genuine interest in the antique or collectible item as it makes the hunt so much more fun.


Learn how to collect!
Take a trip to some antiques stores and make appointments with other collectors and dealers. Ask questions and learn some tips of the trade. Another great question to ask is about reliable appraisers in your area that specialize in your collectible. Also, learn what you can about the world of collecting. For example, antiques are generally considered to be over 100 years old, while collectibles are more modern. There are many online classes for beginner collectors as well.


Research your item. 
Pack a lunch and head down to the local library. Or better yet, start surfing the internet for information about your collectible. When was it invented / made? What is its country of origin? What makes it special, not only in your eyes, but in other collectors' views as well? You will also need to learn how to spot genuine items and fakes if you'd like to make your collection authentic.


Set a budget.
Every hobby has to have a weekly, monthly or yearly budget. Some antiques and collectibles make for very pricey habits (for example, Persian rugs), while others are more affordable (tea cups anyone?). Remember that while almost everyone needs to set a budget, sometimes you may have to dig deep into those pockets for a really rare find.


Decide whether you will be collecting for investment or pleasure.
Will you be trying to make a profit or building an inheritance with your collection? Or will you be the coolest kid on the block with all of your superhero memorabilia...? This can sometimes make a huge difference in the caliber of collection you build.


Become a hunter.
The most fun and most challenging part of your collecting hobby will be trying to find your sought-after memorabilia. There are many different venues to search: flea markets, garage sales, online antique malls, estate sales, junk stores... and the list goes on. Always keep your eyes open for a deal and a desired piece for your collection.

The most important aspect of this passionate hobby is to have fun! Collecting is filled with adventure, knowledge, curiosity and excitement; so go out there and find your treasure.

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Antiques Are True Craftsmanship and Relics of Yesteryear

Antiques are commonly defined as anything over 100 years old. Yet, most antiques shops and antiques shows nowadays typically hold a large percentage of inventory made in the 20th century.

Antiques are normally objects which show some level of craftsmanship, or a certain attention to design such as a desk or an early motorcar. They are most often bought at antique shops, or passed down as an estate. Antiques are ordinarily defined as anything over 100 years old. Yet, most antiques shops and antiques shows today typically have a large portion of stock made in the 20th century. Antiques are ordinarily objects which show some level of craftsmanship, or a certain attention to design such as a desk or the early automobile. In a consumer society, an antique is above all an object whose atypical structure and historic period give it a market value superior to alike objects of recent fabrication.

Piece of furniture:
Furniture of the time was heavy and cumbersome and constructed chiefly of oak. By 1700, piece of furniture had become gradually more plentiful and new forms appeared to fill domestic needs. Piece of furniture, glassware, from one item to a whole estate full, we try to take the hassle out of marketing for you. Not sure what to sell your items for?

Artistic creation:
Art conservator, Michael Hartnett, dubbed the "Art Doctor" of "Broken Things Fixed," will be at the show both days to receive broken or damaged ceramic items for repair and to discuss the care and conservation of antiques and collectibles. Hartnett's work has to be seen to be believed. Art and antiques are not a "liquid" investment. This means that they more often than not cannot be resold quickly for a profit. Art pieces can be art or utilitarian.

Cars:
Values of such cars are influenced by many factors. The following article is a small elaboration of antique automobile values. Valuing antiques does not have to be the minefield that many people believe it to be. With a bit of expert knowledge, you can rapidly become familiar with the signs to look out for when valuing antiques. Values for candlesticks can range from as low as 25.00-50.00 for common generics to thousands for uncommon patented examples or other one of a kind examples.

Chinese antiques:
Chinese antique furniture, carvings, stone statues, ceramics or porcelain are in great demand the world over. Taiwanese piece of furniture can be intricately carved and guilded with gold or may be super simple in design. Japanese tansus (i.e., chests) were typically used in every room in a Nipponese house as well as under staircases to offer plenty of storage in littler homes.

Prices on these pieces:
Prices on these pieces have been fading for years; the recession just might polish them off. Prices may drop down to pre-demand levels once the boom has passed, or they may continue high due to diminished supply as dealers have difficulty replenishing inventories. It's crucial to watch the markets in your favorite collecting categories and stay on top of value-affecting trends. Prices deviate significantly depending on the wood used, age of the piece, intricacy of design, and other factors. Pieces older than 200 years are not allowed to be exported, so make sure to get a valid receipt with a stamp

Browse smart and you could score some outstanding deals on pieces you can enjoy owning immediately and sell for a profit later.

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Antiques For Sale Online - How and Where to Buy

Antiquing has become a popular hobby for many. The Internet has made antiquing even more exciting because of the access it gives you from all over the world. You could have a beautiful antique in your home from clear across the world without even stepping out of your home.

There are a variety of places that have antiques for sale online; however, it is important to be careful when going this route. While the Internet does open the door to a world of possibilities when it comes to antiquing, you must know what to look for before making a final purchase. There are just too many scammers out there ready to take advantage of novice antique hunters.


Research
The most important thing you will do is to do your homework. Know the reputation of the company by researching reviews and their processing procedures. If a company will not give you direct contact information so that you can actually talk to them, look the other way. If the company cannot provide you with extra pictures of an antique, move onto the next site.

A reputable company will be more than happy to talk with you and send you detailed pictures of a particular piece. Make sure they send you pictures of the front, back, top, underneath, and inside.

Make sure the company has a refund policy. You should be able to return an item within a reasonable amount of time. If they do not allow this, then absolutely do not purchase from this company.


How to Identify Reproductions
The difficult part about antiquing online is the fact that you cannot hold the piece to examine it. Therefore, you must learn some ways to identify the piece you are interested in by looks. The two most noticeable ways to tell if the item is a reproduction is to:

Look for signs of age 
Depending on the type of antique you are collecting, there are different things to look for. For furniture, you should see signs of cracking, warping, and fading because true wood will shrink over time. Look for slightly ragged edges since the piece will have been made by a handsaw. For other antiques, such as china and books, you will have a hard time distinguishing age by the picture. You will need to do some further investigating and ask direct questions pertaining to age to the seller.

Look for imperfections
This also depends on the type of antique you are purchasing. For furniture, you will want to see a few imperfections. This indicates it is a true antique because a handmade piece of furniture could not be perfect. However, for books and china, you will not want to see imperfections, as this will lower their value.
Regardless of the type of antique you are researching, any reputable seller will provide you with enough information to make an informed decision. If you are just beginning your ventures with antiquing, you may wish to ask an antique expert to help you make a decision on whether a piece is real or fake.


Making the Purchase
Once you have determined that you are sure the item is truly antique, it will be time to make a purchase. Each company will have its own policy and purchasing procedures. However, here are some general tips to making an online purchase:

Consider the shipping prices. To help reduce these costs, look for sellers in your region. For places like eBay, try to find sellers who use blanket-wrap shipping services.Never use a wire transfer company to pay for a purchase. A wire transfer company is not safe when you are paying someone you don't know. PayPal seems to be the method of choice for many companies and buyers as they provide protection of the money.Do not make the purchase if when you get to a specific place in the transaction it states, "Items are not the seller's responsibility once dispatched." If you see this, you can either stop the transaction or contact your Chamber of Commerce for the rules in your country.Read everything, including the little print. Don't fall victim of someone's scam. It always seems to be in the small print where no-one likes to read where they will get you if they are not reputable.

Where to Buy Antiques Online
There are tons of sites out there ready to captivate you with their beautiful antiques. It is important that you take the steps necessary to protect yourself at all times. The following are a list of places to consider shopping; however, they have not been researched. You should always do the research on your own to ensure a safe transaction.

These are just a few places of hundreds to find on the Internet. You can buy antiques online safely if you do your research of not only the company, but the antique. Know what you are looking for, and you can enjoy antiques from all over the world.

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Buying Your First Expensive Antique Piece

If you are interested in buying your first expensive antique piece, then you may want to know more about how to buy from an antiques fair or auction.

If the possibility of purchasing your first expensive antique at auction interests you, then you will have to prepare yourself properly beforehand. This should include educating yourself on the antiques field that interests you. You may also consider buying the auction catalogue to find out more about the goods and estimate prices.

Attending the saleroom previews is also a great idea. Such previews, which tend to take place a few days prior to the sale, allow you to have a closer look at the items. You could ask the auctioneer there to give you a condition report for an item if, after viewing, you would still like to buy it. Such a report will have more information about the item. You will need to set yourself a bidding limit ahead of the auction, so it is also well worth asking the auctioneer how much the commission charge is, which could limit the amount that you decide to spend.

During the auction itself, you will need to ensure that you stick to the bidding limit that you have set yourself. When you wish to bid, quickly attract attention by nodding your head or waving your catalogue. The bidding for the item finishes when the auctioneer's hammer goes down.

Alternatively, you may consider buying your first expensive antique from an antiques fair. A number of different types of antiques fairs exist in the UK. These include vetted fairs where a varied selection of collectibles can usually be found such as textiles, jewellery, ceramics, silver and furniture, in addition to permanent antiques markets. You should arrive early so that you do not miss out on the best items.
If the experience and choice of an antiques fair overwhelms you, you may want to take more time to browse through the stock of an antiques dealer. Many dealers will be happy to arrange a time with you to find out more about their goods at their premises once the event has finished.

Remember that you can only be sure that you are buying an authentic antique at a vetted antique market. Also remember to always get a written receipt with any purchase. This should include the name and address of the dealer along with a description of the purchase so that you can get antiques insurance.

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