| With such an awesome economic crisis worldwide, | | | | creating an even greater interest, introducing new |
| many of us naturally wonder how this is affecting the | | | | collectors, or investors, from countries such as China, |
| antique and art market. This is a question that | | | | Russia and India. It is now possible to so easily study |
| understandably concerns all collectors who might be | | | | photographs and price guides, at the Internet |
| considering buying or selling. | | | | auctions held frequently, as well as to check with |
| But history has shown that whenever the financial | | | | dealers, who have an online presence, enabling |
| economy has been really bad, whether caused by | | | | growing numbers to keep an eye on the marketplace |
| recession, or inflation, fine quality rare antiques have | | | | and current values. |
| not only retained value but have remained in very | | | | These are some of the reasons for prices continuing |
| high demand. The Asian antique market, as well as | | | | to rise and for the large number of new record |
| other good quality antiques and works of art, during | | | | auction prices that have been achieved even over |
| financial slumps have tended to remain safe and even | | | | the last twelve months. The media always |
| continued to increase in value. | | | | concentrates on the financial bad news and there is |
| The antique auction rooms have reported, that so | | | | hardly ever any mention of these record prices that |
| far, they continue to be very busy. There has always | | | | keep surprising us all. No one can guarantee what will |
| been and probably always will be, new collectors | | | | happen in the future, but provided the following |
| interested in owning high quality works of art. But the | | | | guidance is taken, then any of the risks involved in |
| best Asian antiques have done particularly well, as | | | | buying antiques will be greatly reduced. |
| there are such limited numbers of rare quality items | | | | (1) Study the subject carefully, obtain advice and be |
| available and such a very large growing demand. | | | | sure you are really interested and enjoy whatever |
| The Chinese in China having become wealthier and | | | | you decide to collect. |
| are very keen to collect, or invest in, fine examples | | | | (2) Only purchase the very highest quality that you |
| of their own heritage. The result is a growth of new | | | | can afford. High quality is far more important than |
| antique auction houses all over China (many of these | | | | quantity. |
| sell huge numbers of antiques, thousands at each | | | | (3) Buy from the most reputable of specialists, as |
| auction, so much more than is normal in Europe or | | | | they will be prepared to guarantee the authenticity, |
| America). But added to this many of the Chinese | | | | the age and possibly even the provenance. |
| outside China have become extremely wealthy too | | | | Regardless of any financial turmoil the best and most |
| and they have added to this growing demand for the | | | | important antiques, or works of art, have always in |
| scarcest important Asian antiques whenever offered | | | | the past remained a stable form of investment that |
| worldwide. | | | | continued to rise. |
| The Internet too has been partly responsible for | | | | |