We’re delighted to announce that the Antiques & Homes Etsy shop is now up and running, bringing a carefully chosen selection of antiques, vintage treasures, collectables and interesting decorative objects to customers throughout the UK. For those who already know our little antiques shop in Blofield, Norfolk, this is another way to discover what we […]
Author Archives: Benny
You pick up a tall green bottle at an antiques fair. It has an enormous stopper, an interesting textured surface and exactly the sort of shape that seems to belong in a 1960s interior. Search for something similar online and, before long, the word Empoli starts appearing. But is it Empoli, and what evidence can […]
You pick up a colourful glass vase at a car boot sale, charity shop or auction. It feels beautifully made, the colours are striking and someone has taken the trouble to polish the base. Then somebody says the magic word: Murano. But is it Murano, and how can you actually tell? It is one of […]
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 […]
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 […]