Knowing how to tell a painting from a print is one of those useful skills that can make buying antique and vintage pictures much more rewarding. Whether I’m looking at a picture in an antiques shop, browsing an auction or examining something that has spent years hanging on someone’s wall, I always find it interesting […]
Category Archives: Practical Advice
Practical advice for antique collectors, buyers and owners. Explore expert guides on buying antiques, identifying genuine pieces, caring for treasured items, avoiding common mistakes and making informed collecting decisions with confidence.
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
When you pick up an old tankard, candlestick, tray or piece of antique cutlery, one question often comes to mind almost immediately: is it silver or pewter? At first glance the two metals can look remarkably similar, especially after decades of polishing, tarnishing and everyday use. Fortunately, there are several reliable ways to tell the […]
In today’s digital world, buying antiques online has become more popular than ever. This is due in large part to the convenience and accessibility of online shopping. With a few clicks, you can browse an extensive selection of unique, rare, and valuable antiques from the comfort of your home. However, with this convenience comes a […]