Antiques are a fascinating gateway to history, culture, and everything else in between. It makes sense that people would want to learn from these pieces of the past and have something to show for it, which is often why some turn to start an antique collection.
If you are interested in doing this but are not sure where to start, you are not alone! There is definitely an art to collecting antiques, and what you want out of it will definitely determine how you go about collecting your treasures!
Read on to find out more!
Profit, Value, or Joy?
The reason why you are collecting antiques will have some sway on how you go about… well, collecting them. For example, if you are looking to find antiques to form a collection that you can sell and make a profit on, then you will want additional advice on how to value antiques so that you know you are choosing the right pieces. That being said, you will still want to use this method for procuring an antique collection that you wish to hold value, even if you want to hold on to it for yourself.
Finally, if you want to collect antiques just because of the joy they can bring, it is probably less imperative that they are of any monetary value and more that you enjoy them, that they make you laugh, or that they go really well with the rest of your new dining room!
Visit the Right Places
Charity shops, thrift stores, flea markets, your nan’s closet – you can find antiques in many places only if you are willing to look.
Starting out, have an idea of the type of piece you are looking for, and if you have no idea, go and look around for inspiration. Take note of the prices of different categories of pieces in different shops and on stalls, so you have a good idea about what you are expected to pay – this way,you can also reasonably haggle!
The more places you are able to visit, or the bigger the venues, the more ideas and knowledge you will gather on your quest for growing your own antique collection.
Do Not Be Afraid to Chat to Antique Dealers
Many antique dealers are extremely passionate about what they do and will jump on any chance given to them to explain their finds, the history, or the culture of antiques. You will find that some dealers are more interested in a specific era, whereas others might be more interested in specific pieces or styles. Chatting to them means you can gain important knowledge that you can then go on to use when choosing your own pieces.
Choose Something You Like
When you are first starting out, it is most likely going to be difficult to find out if something has anything of value, so do it for fun instead. Find something that you love the look of and keep it as a milestone to mark the beginning of your collection. This also takes the pressure off your first trawl!
