The theme of this article is a possible answer to questions often brought forward to antique dealers everywhere: “Why are some antiques and collectibles more desired than others?”
To possibly relate a satisfactory answer depends on the writer and the person reading the narrative. The following is my consideration a criteria for judging them, fine points to guide a person by.
Points to consider. One point many may consider one way or another was the quality is more important, but not entirely absolute.
In this determination, is it a good-to-fair example of its type or form compared to other similar articles?
Recently on TV antique shows, paintings and prints are quite often described and evaluated. Examples of worth can be considered accordingly.
A local or less known artist, in relation to classic old world painters, is understandably quite separate in value. Sometimes the artist in consideration may be quite more distinct in detail, so therefore the admirer may be more attracted to the painting of a lesser known artist.
However, origin creates a higher demand and price.
The same deciding level can also be employed in furniture of Chippendale to a local or lesser known manufacturer. An object may be considered of excellent quality if it is fine for its kind.
Whether this item itself has quality is another consideration. A person may compare and evaluate several categories.
In this decision quality is relative, however many instances choice and preference or local pride may be a deciding factor.
Quality. A collector may prefer local or American made pottery over any foreign-made porcelain or linsey woolsey over silk brocade, but it is quite argumentative to declare such manufacture of finer or better quality.
Simplicity is not synonymous with quality. Having abandoned the fripperies of the Victorian era, early 1900 to mid century, folks began to admire what was plain and unadorned and to consider complexity of any sort a fault compared to plain forms.
This trend expressed in simple plain design.
Trends. Especially where our native collectibles and antiques are concerned, collectors many times have accepted simplicity as a virtue in itself without seeking complex craft forms in its excellent detail of workmanship.
This is not to indicate we should consider the Victorian extremes and claim that elaboration is quite synonymous with quality.
As is true of many phases of craft works, the pendulum of fad and fashion return from the plain and simple to the ornate in its diverse stages of display.
As the more complex creations of mankind from the past required expertise in artistry, more so than the plain and simple forms, so shall an increased discrimination be evident on the behalf of the collector for a satisfactory appreciation on the quality.
No bargains. Genuine antiques are not ordinarily available at bargain prices. The supply and demand activities of the market are sometimes quite limited, therefore only higher prices will bring good articles from collectors’ possessions.
In purchasing antiques, most people are aware it is necessary to know what is old and truly authentic.
It is not enough to admire an object for its attractiveness, it is also imperative to have a good knowledge of the value of the particular item.
The population many decades ago was quite lower in number than today, however there was the same percentage of individualities.
That accounts for why there are items to be located to suit about every taste and every purse.
In selecting any article, consider not only the intrinsic quality of the item but its worth as a piece of Americana and its value in terms of its original utilitarian role in life.
Acquired experience with fellow beings count almost as much as years of knowledge and experience with collectibles and antiques.
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