Victorian vs Edwardian furniture can look surprisingly similar at first glance. Put a Victorian armchair beside an Edwardian one and the difference may sometimes seem obvious: one substantial, dark and richly upholstered; the other lighter, more delicate and restrained. In practice, antique furniture rarely makes identification quite that easy. The Victorian period lasted from 1837 […]
Author Archives: Benny
At almost every antiques fair, somebody eventually picks up a teapot, tray or piece of old cutlery amongst the silver and silver plate and asks the same question: “Is this solid silver?” Sometimes the answer appears immediately in a clear row of hallmarks. On other occasions, years of polishing, wear and accumulated tarnish make the […]
Art Deco v Art Nouveau? That is the question. A lamp stands in the corner of an antiques centre, half hidden behind a walnut cabinet and a stack of old picture frames. Its bronze stem curls upwards like a plant searching for light, while the glass shade opens above it like a flower. The label […]
Preserving antique books is one of the most important skills any collector can learn. Whether you collect old books, maps, postcards, documents, photographs, letters or paper ephemera, proper care can mean the difference between a treasured item surviving for generations or deteriorating beyond repair. Unlike furniture, ceramics or metalware, paper is surprisingly fragile. Sunlight, moisture, […]
From Clutter to Collectable: Why Grannycore Loves Antiques Grannycore antiques are in fashion! For years, antique dealers watched perfectly good furniture, china, glassware and decorative objects disappear into skips, charity shops and clearance sales. Minimalism dominated interiors, grey replaced colour, and many traditional household items fell out of fashion. Then something unexpected happened. A younger […]
Learning how to identify antique furniture helps collectors avoid expensive mistakes while also revealing the real craftsmanship hidden within older pieces. Although reproduction furniture often looks convincing at first glance, genuine antique furniture usually leaves behind clear clues involving construction, timber, wear and workmanship. Because of this, experienced collectors rarely rely on appearance alone when […]
Vintage ceramics UK collectors and home decorators continue to seek out pieces with individuality, texture and history. While modern ceramics can look attractive, older pieces often bring more depth, character and charm into a room. Many people start collecting vintage ceramics because they want something different. As a result, they look for pieces with interesting […]
Antiques & Homes is a small independent antique shop based in Blofield, Norfolk, offering an eclectic mix of antique, vintage and quirky modern items for the home and collectors. While many people discover us through our website, antiquesandhomes.co.uk, our bijou physical shop gives you the chance to explore a constantly changing selection of interesting pieces […]
Collectors often ask a simple question when they handle antique metalware: is this brass or bronze? At first glance the two metals look similar. However, once you understand the differences, you can identify them quickly and confidently. In fact, learning to distinguish brass or bronze forms an important skill for anyone who collects antique metal […]
Collecting
Decorative Antique Metalware: A Guide to Collecting Decorative Antique Metalware for the Home
Many collectors begin with porcelain, glass or coins. However, decorative antique metalware often proves just as rewarding. Brass candlesticks, copper trays, bronze ornaments, silver boxes and old desk accessories combine practical history with the kind of craftsmanship that modern objects rarely match. These pieces were made to be used. They stood on writing desks, lit […]