Collecting Antique Furniture
Have you noticed the number of antique shops that appear around town? There is a reason for that. There is a lot of demand for antique products. More and more people are noticing the quality and craftsmanship of older pieces of furniture, and they are deciding to invest in these pieces.
For the beginning collector of antique furniture, it can be a little overwhelming to get started. There are a lot of different eras, styles, and designs to choose from, and it may be hard to narrow down where to begin. The best answer to that is to begin with what appeals to you.
When collecting stamps or figurines, these items are usually hidden away in an album or on a knickknack shelf. Antique furniture takes a much more prominent place in the homes of collectors, so one of the best pieces of advice for beginning antique collectors is by what you like. Because these pieces will be on display in your home, you really need to make sure that the item you purchase is something you can live with. You will be looking at it every day, so it should be something you enjoy. If it is something that you don’t enjoy having in your home, you will not appreciate it regardless of its potential investment value.
There are numerous factors that affect the value and cost of antique furniture. One of the first things to consider is the piece’s age which typically has the greatest effect on the value of the object. As a general rule: the older it is, the more valuable it is.
The collector should assess the condition of the antique. Two tables of like age and style might have very different prices if of them has scratches visible on it, for example. Check closely for evidence of restorations, nicks, dents, and cracks as these elements may impact the value of the piece.
Another thing to consider is the type of wood that was used. Some wood types, such as mahogany, are considered of much greater value than softer woods, like pine. Not only do the harder woods hold up better over time, many of them have a much richer color that is desirable for antique collectors. Also consider the treatment of the wood. Some treatments, like lemon oil, are believed to preserve the wood, when in fact these products will cause the wood to dry out over time, and could lead to cracking and separation of the grain. Wood should be treated with pure beeswax for the best long term preservation of the furniture.
If you’d care to begin collecting now it is generally best to start with more modest, less pricey pieces then any miscues are less expensive. As your knowledge grows around antique furniture you might then add a few objects which are bigger and more costly.
