Antique Collection

Here we have a situation of supply and demand which can be exploited by the more enterprising faker. Let us first look at the glassware bearing the V.O.C. mark, as stated earlier a pair of wine glasses would fetch a great deal of money. (If a genuine pair were unearthed today it would amount to [...]

A well known and highly respected gentleman of the district has passed away quietly in his sleep. The grieving widow now approaches the auctioneer, informs him of the fact and asks him to sell the contents of her home, as she is now moving to a small flat. After much commiseration he gets down to [...]

The collectors of early pewter from time to time pick up some very fine pieces at the auctions and second hand shops and many find it a fascinating subject. Pewter was introduced into Britain in Roman times and was widely used in the 14th century. Much of the contemporary church plate was in this metal.

The collectors of early brass objects encounter many problems. They have to wade their way through oceans of reproductions and clever forgeries to find what they are really looking for. Many are seeking specific objects such as antique horse brasses, candlesticks or wall plaques.
Horse brasses were first produced in ancient times in many oriental countries. [...]

Collectors of old prints are generally interested in the work of George Baxter. He was born in 1804, a printer by trade. Later he became a book illustrator and produced many fine woodblock prints. He and his father published the ‘Baxter Illustrated Bible’ which showed many good examples of this work.

At the beginning of the 19th century a tax of one shilling and sixpence was levied on an ounce of silver. In those days that was a fair sum of money. This resulted in a much wider use of Sheffield plate, a process developed by Thomas Bolsover in 1743. The process consisted of hammering, rubbing [...]

BRONZE IS A RELATIVELY EASY MEDIUM TO CAST AND WORK WITH, BUT IT DOES CORRODE, AND DESPITE ITS APPARENT STRENGTH, CAN BE EASILY DAMAGED THROUGH MISHANDLING.
Bronze has a fairly low melting point, and when it is molten it flows into complex shapes more easily than other metals, which makes it particularly suitable for casting. It [...]

Examples of signed, handmade cameo glass command high prices, but less expensive mass-produced pieces are still very collectable.
Roman masterpiece the Portland Vase, probably made in Rome between 25 BC and AD 25, is the most famous example of cameo glass. It was eventually brought to England and acquired by the Duchess of Portland.

Tiles and Plaques
As early as the Middle Ages, decorative flooring was being created in Britain by stamping designs into partially dried coarse brown clay tiles and filling in the impression with cream slip prior to firing and glazing. Glazed wall tiles have an even longer history in Moorish and Turkish palaces and mosques, where their [...]