When you go to museums and art fairs, you may notice people gazing intently at the precious items. You may find yourself asking what these people notice in these old things. One answer: beauty.
You do not have to be an overly intelligent curator to appreciate antiques. You just have to look for beauty. And beauty is subjective, meaning you can find beauty in one thing from another perspective—or you may not find it attractive at all.
However, spotting antiques is a skill that you can develop, especially if you want to invest your money and time in this endeavor. You also get to keep beautiful things that you can display at your home.
As mentioned, eyeing antique is a skill that you can develop. It focuses on the beauty and age of an item. There are some ways to do it. Here is a short guide that you may want to keep in mind.
Look at all angles and take note of each part
One of the basic ways to study an antique is by looking at it at all angles. By looking and touching all the parts of the item, you get to know the texture and appreciate its make.
But be careful when inspecting each part physically. Antique materials are often fragile, especially the ceramics and woods. Some of the parts might have gone brittle, and a wrong touch or turn can break it. Before you touch the item, make sure to ask the seller for permission first.
Bring your “antique kit”
You are inspecting antiques before getting them. To inspect each item thoroughly, you need to have the necessary tools. Your antique kit should include a flashlight, a magnifying glass and gloves.
You can use the flashlight to inspect the hidden parts of the item and spot stains. For one, if you are buying a French fireplace mantel, you can inspect it further with light. A magnifying glass can be used to study the minute details of the item. Do not forget to use gloves to avoid smearing the item.
Ask the vendor about an item’s history
Part of antique appreciation is knowing the history behind the item. Ask about the origins of the item—the place where it was made and the date of its creation. When you are buying antique, you are essentially buying a piece of history, so you might as well be interested in it. After all, the history of an antique is what makes it expensive.
Bring a trusted friend
If you are just learning the ropes of antique appreciation, you ought to make some mistakes. You may even forget and overlook certain details. To enrich yourself in terms of skills and knowledge, you may tag along a friend who has experience with handling and managing antiques.
Appreciating antique is one thing that will help you appreciate the finer things in life. It helps you gain a new perspective on history, especially if the items you are handling are storied and famed. Take proactive steps in learning the art of appreciating art.