| Could you have a goldmine sitting in your attic? If | | | | to everyone. When everything about the piece is |
| you've been wondering whether your pre-war | | | | balanced and harmonious, it's considered to be |
| ceramic bowl is worth anything, you need to | | | | aesthetically appealing. If it's pleasing to your eye, it |
| determine if you have a real antique on your hands. | | | | will probably be pleasing to others as well. |
| With over 100 million avid antique collectors | | | | Desirability - Trends come and go in popular culture |
| worldwide all participating in a global market that could | | | | and they do in the antiques and valuable market as |
| top $150 billion in 2008, there has never been a | | | | well. Trends depend on a number of factors. For |
| better time to revisit those old or cherished | | | | example, after the death of a public figure there is |
| collectibles you may have in your possession. | | | | an increase in demand for items related to that |
| Below are five guidelines to judge whether or not | | | | person. |
| you should take the next step - meeting with a | | | | Authenticity - Doing research on your item will help |
| professional appraiser. You can also use these signs | | | | you tell whether or not it's authentic. There are |
| to make sure you're getting quality when you are | | | | certain types of antiques that are frequently |
| buying antiques. | | | | replicated and without having a careful eye, you can |
| Rarity - Items are valuable because they are rare. | | | | be easily duped. Many types of antiques have |
| For example, a limited edition printing of a painting is | | | | guidebooks that detail what to look for in authentic |
| more valuable than a painting by the same artist that | | | | pieces. A good appraiser will also be able to tell you if |
| was distributed in wide release. There are a few | | | | your piece is authentic. |
| different aspects that constitute rarity. An item can | | | | Good condition - If your item meets all of these |
| be considered rare if very few pieces were made to | | | | standards, the only thing left to determine is its |
| begin with or if just a few of the pieces are still in | | | | condition. Ideally, your item will be in the same |
| existence. You've also got something rare on your | | | | condition that it was when it was first created. |
| hands if it's in an unusual color or design for the | | | | However, depending on the age of your antique, |
| particular type of antique. Other rare items include | | | | that's not always possible. The closer to mint (original) |
| common items with an unusual size or shape. | | | | condition the more valuable it will be. In some cases, |
| Aesthetics - A piece's aesthetic quality has a lot to | | | | a very rare item will still be valuable even if it's in |
| do with its value. Even though aesthetic tastes are | | | | damaged condition. |
| very personal, there are certain things that look good | | | | |