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Practical Tips for Buying an Authentic Antique Table

Practical Tips for Buying an Authentic Antique Table

 

Having an authentic antique table adds a lot of character to a room. Ask any antique collector and they'll tell you that they treat collecting antique tables and furniture almost like a religion. The quest for the perfect piece alone can take them months, even years to accomplish and can even induce them to travel. So now that you want a piece of that magic yourself, how do you start? Better, yet, how do you know it's authentic?

 

Antiques should be incorporated into your home.
Don’t buy an antique table just because it's old. You might have a problem trying to match it with other items in your home or vice versa. An antique table can be a very effective focal point but it should never stick out like a sore thumb. That just destroys its purpose.

 

So when you go out to buy an antique table, think about what you want, what effect you want to achieve and whether or not the table will work with the particular room or area you intend to place it in. Victorian? Art Deco? 18th Century American? The choice is up to you.

 

Come armed to the teeth.
Antiques cost a lot of money and if you must buy an antique table, better make sure it's worth every cent. Before you go out antique hunting, learn a few things about antiques. Find out what specific styles and looks are prevalent for certain periods, how to check for authenticity, how to verify history and basically just know whether it's a fine reproduction or if it's authentic. If you need to ask someone for guidance, do so.

 

Next, learn the tools of the trade. Seasoned antique hunters often bring levels, measuring tapes, pins, magnifying glasses and references with them when they go out to find a hidden treasure. You should be able to make an informed decision about your purchase so you don’t end up looking like a fool armed with nothing but his money.

 

Learn to recognize value.
An antique table's value is based on its condition, history and rarity. The older and well-kept it is, the higher its value. There are also certain pieces that are sometimes valued higher than others, only because it is extremely rare.

 

Ask for advice.
If you're new to the antique hunting club, don’t be shy about asking an expert's opinion. They will be able to help you spot a fake, a reproduction or just simply a bad buy. Subscribe to trade publications and visit antique shops often, if only to window shop. Buying an antique table takes some skills and these are definitely not the kind you can learn overnight.

 

 



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