Antique Collection

There is no need to pay a King’s Ransom for something Old and Aesthetically top-notch. A true devotee of the Money-Making Scheme will have to cut out the middleman to go directly to the source of the goodies, i.e. people’s homes, wherein lurks an Aladdin’s Cave of unsuspected treasures.

Knives, forks and spoons are usually termed “flatware” by silver collectors. Depending on your budget there are many ways of collecting flatware. Complete services, which usually comprise settings for 12, may seem prohibitively expensive, but odd numbers of spoons and forks in the most common patterns, such as Old English, Fiddle,

Whether you prefer the subtle sensuality of the Art Nouveau potters, or the uncluttered modern approach of the Art Deco era, pottery of this period provides something to suit almost every taste. If you’re an inexperienced collector this could be an ideal choice of subject to begin with: most pottery and porcelain is marked; wares [...]

Not all “bracket” clocks stood on wall brackets. Clocks of this type were also used for tables and mantelpieces. Nowadays the term is used to describe all clocks with short pendulums and spring-driven mechanisms. These clocks are also sometimes called “mantel clocks” or “table clocks“.

Few people today would think of packing a carriage clock when they go on a journey, even though, as one of the earliest types of travelling clock, this is what they were made for. Carriage clocks usually have brass cases and were fitted with handles so they could be more easily carried — hence their [...]

Various exciting new porcelain-making techniques were introduced and perfected in the 19th century. The development of bone china, which was made from the same ingredients as hard-paste porcelain with large quantities of animal bone added, meant that less expensive porcelain became widely available.

The problem of fakes is one that is familiar to every art lover and collector. Fakes, often produced with great skill and refinement, are always hard to detect.
Besides the obvious need for a thorough knowledge of the historical and stylistic background, there are a number of specific practical tips which are indispensable aids to establishing [...]

A layer of dark oxide will form easily on a pewter surface as a result of chemical pollutants in the atmosphere, especially in our cities. Both public and private collectors have sought to prevent such oxidization by covering the freshly cleaned surface with a thin film of transparent lacquer, but they have found that a [...]

Now comes the ‘piece de resistance’! A crudely made shelf unit is fitted on top of the transformed dresser complete with rounded end sections and stinkwood pegs. The whole contrivance is then stained in a light overall colour and finished with one of the many ‘antique sealants’ which are available today, and another ‘old Cape [...]

When discussing antique fakes the buyer is frequently curious and will often enquire as to the extent of antique faking in this country. The answer may be surprising. Obviously no exact figures can be given, only estimates. After all, the shady side of this business is very surreptitious.