| Whether looking to invest in a collectible piece,or | | | | shaker, New York, or Western style. Having an idea |
| simply hoping to find a diamond in the rough at a | | | | of the period and origin of the piece under |
| garage sale or flea market, it is always helpful to | | | | consideration gives the buyer an advantage over |
| have an idea of what to look for when going out | | | | going into a purchase blindly. |
| with the intention of buying antique furniture. | | | | For antique furniture to live up to its potential value, it |
| Antiques are defined as being not only old - over 100 | | | | needs to be in original condition. This means that no |
| years, by definition - but also rare. Furthermore, being | | | | parts can have been replaced or repaired, no paint |
| old and rare doesn't guarantee high value. To be | | | | stripped, no scratches buffed away. The beauty of |
| considered valuable, the antique must be collectible, | | | | an antique piece of furniture lies in its history, and the |
| that is, something other people want and are willing | | | | history can be read in the many imperfections it has |
| to pay for. | | | | picked up over the course of its lifetime. |
| When collecting antique furniture, many people like to | | | | If you have a piece of antique furniture and want to |
| choose a particular period or origin in which to | | | | refinish or restore it, first consult with a professional |
| specialize. This allows the shopper to be fully | | | | antiques dealer to see if it should be restored or if it |
| educated in his or her chosen period, and better able | | | | would be better to leave it in its current condition. If |
| to ascertain the piece's value. | | | | it is merely a lovely piece that is getting older and |
| Antique furniture is divided into four categories: | | | | has a few scratches, it can probably be refinished or |
| English, European, Far Eastern, and American. English | | | | restored and enjoyed as a simple furnishing for years |
| furniture can be further subdivided into Victorian or | | | | to come. If, however, it turns out to be a rare or |
| Pre-Victorian, European furniture by country of origin, | | | | valuable piece, it should be left alone to preserve its |
| Far Eastern by period, and American furniture as | | | | beauty, heritage, and value. |