Resources for Beginning Antiquers
Things you need to know when you're starting out
Antiques Glossary
If you're unsure about the meaning of parure, patina or provenance, along with many other useful antiques-related terms, check out this handy glossary.
If you're unsure about the meaning of parure, patina or provenance, along with many other useful antiques-related terms, check out this handy glossary.
Antique Definition
Exactly what does it mean to call something an antique?
Exactly what does it mean to call something an antique?
Collectibles Definition: What is a Collectible?
Have you ever wondered what makes a collectible, well, collectible? It's actually a lot simpler than defining what classifies as antique.
Have you ever wondered what makes a collectible, well, collectible? It's actually a lot simpler than defining what classifies as antique.
Confusing Furniture Terms - Chifferobe or Chiffonier?
Just as styles changed over the years, so did furniture terminology. Learn to make sense of confusing furniture terms with a feature article from your Guide.
Just as styles changed over the years, so did furniture terminology. Learn to make sense of confusing furniture terms with a feature article from your Guide.
Collecting and Accumulating, It's all Good!
Is there a difference between "collectors" and "accumulators?" Do you know where you fit in? Read your guide's take on the topic and decide for yourself!
Is there a difference between "collectors" and "accumulators?" Do you know where you fit in? Read your guide's take on the topic and decide for yourself!
Collecting with Children - A Little Collection Goes a Long Way
Learn how to make your collecting adventures with children a joy with tips from your guide.
Learn how to make your collecting adventures with children a joy with tips from your guide.
End of Day Definition
Have you ever heard an antiques dealer use the term "end of day"? Find out just what they're referring to here.
Have you ever heard an antiques dealer use the term "end of day"? Find out just what they're referring to here.
Exploring the Art of Bargaining
Some see bargaining for a better price as a challenge, others treat haggling as an art form. Learn how to negotiate better prices for antiques and collectibles venue to venue.
Some see bargaining for a better price as a challenge, others treat haggling as an art form. Learn how to negotiate better prices for antiques and collectibles venue to venue.
Faux Definition
Do you know how to pronounce faux? And what does it mean in the antiques world?
Do you know how to pronounce faux? And what does it mean in the antiques world?
Frequently Asked Questions About Antiques & Collectibles
If you've ever wondered how old something has to be to be "antique" or how to tell if a piece is old, never fear. Your Guide has answers to help you with these questions and more!
If you've ever wondered how old something has to be to be "antique" or how to tell if a piece is old, never fear. Your Guide has answers to help you with these questions and more!
Garage Sale Shopping - A Day in the Life of a "Saler"
Have you given up on garage sale shopping when it comes to finding antiques & collectibles? It might be time to rethink your position. Learn about what your guide's been scoring on her weekend treasure hunts!
Have you given up on garage sale shopping when it comes to finding antiques & collectibles? It might be time to rethink your position. Learn about what your guide's been scoring on her weekend treasure hunts!
General Reference Guide Recommendations
Guide Picks - Top General Guides on Antiques & Collectibles
Guide Picks - Top General Guides on Antiques & Collectibles
How Can I Tell if an Object is a Reproduction?
Distinguishing antiques from reproductions takes practice, but you can learn to tell genuine antiques from newer reproductions with patience and study.
Distinguishing antiques from reproductions takes practice, but you can learn to tell genuine antiques from newer reproductions with patience and study.
How Do I Find Values for My Antiques and Collectibles?
Read more about valuing antiques and learn to come up with values for your collectibles. Learning to value antiques and collectibles is a skill appraisers pick up over time.
Read more about valuing antiques and learn to come up with values for your collectibles. Learning to value antiques and collectibles is a skill appraisers pick up over time.
How Do You Determine the Age of an Antique or Collectible?
Ever wonder how antiques experts now how old something is? Lots of factors come into play. And while it's not learned overnight, you can pick up the knack too.
Ever wonder how antiques experts now how old something is? Lots of factors come into play. And while it's not learned overnight, you can pick up the knack too.
How Old is Old Enough to be Considered Antique?
How old do antiques need to be to be considered antiques? It's not a cut and dry answer.
How old do antiques need to be to be considered antiques? It's not a cut and dry answer.
Items Every Antiques Lover Needs
Four things all collectors, dealers and general antiques lovers should have.
Four things all collectors, dealers and general antiques lovers should have.
Join the Club
Take your antiques and collectibles hobby to a new level by hooking up with others who share your passion. Don't forget to check the link at the end of the article for oodles of online options.
Take your antiques and collectibles hobby to a new level by hooking up with others who share your passion. Don't forget to check the link at the end of the article for oodles of online options.
Patina Definition
Patina is a widely used word in the antiques business, but what exactly does it mean?
Patina is a widely used word in the antiques business, but what exactly does it mean?
Premium Definition
Premium means superior, right? Not in the world of antiques and collectibles.
Premium means superior, right? Not in the world of antiques and collectibles.
Provenance Definition
You've heard the term provenance a time or two in reference to antiques and collectibles, but do you know what it means?
You've heard the term provenance a time or two in reference to antiques and collectibles, but do you know what it means?
A Primer on Fine American Antique Furniture
From one of the most renowned dealers of American antique furniture for decades, Israel Sack, Inc., an introductory article on fine furniture written expressly for the About antiques site.
From one of the most renowned dealers of American antique furniture for decades, Israel Sack, Inc., an introductory article on fine furniture written expressly for the About antiques site.
Relief Definition
Relief has more than one meaning. Do you know what it means in reference to art and antiques?
Relief has more than one meaning. Do you know what it means in reference to art and antiques?
Researching Antiques on the Web
Finding information on your antiques and collectibles doesn't have to be a tedious chore. Use this helpful guide to get you started.
Finding information on your antiques and collectibles doesn't have to be a tedious chore. Use this helpful guide to get you started.
Selling Your Antiques Online
Selling antiques online can be a great way to clear the clutter from your home. Learn how to do it with caution, and success, with help from your guide.
Selling antiques online can be a great way to clear the clutter from your home. Learn how to do it with caution, and success, with help from your guide.
Testing Antiques with a Black Light
Testing antiques and collectibles with a black light can help with dating and authenticating, two problem areas for beginning antiquers.
Testing antiques and collectibles with a black light can help with dating and authenticating, two problem areas for beginning antiquers.
Victorian Definition
People use the word Victorian all the time, but do you really know what it means?
People use the word Victorian all the time, but do you really know what it means?
Ways to Test Bakelite for Authenticity
With the price continually rising, many people wonder if old plastic items they own might in fact be made of Bakelite. You'll find six of the most popular and effective ways to test Bakelite here.
With the price continually rising, many people wonder if old plastic items they own might in fact be made of Bakelite. You'll find six of the most popular and effective ways to test Bakelite here.
Antique & Collectors Reproduction News
Monthly newsletter to inform collectors of what's being reproduced. Also offers black lights, pocket repro reference cards and loupes for detecting fakes and repairs.
Monthly newsletter to inform collectors of what's being reproduced. Also offers black lights, pocket repro reference cards and loupes for detecting fakes and repairs.
AltaVista Translations
Sometimes you'll run across an item with foreign wording on it. This useful translator can help you figure out which end is up!
Sometimes you'll run across an item with foreign wording on it. This useful translator can help you figure out which end is up!
Antique Periods and Motifs
A great resource for learning which motifs and makers relate to design periods such as Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, Edwardian, Victorian and more.
A great resource for learning which motifs and makers relate to design periods such as Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, Edwardian, Victorian and more.
Asheford Institute of Antiques
A place to learn about everything from basic collecting to dealing in antiques. Might be too intense for some beginners, but it's worth looking into when you want to get serious about developing your antique hunting skills.
A place to learn about everything from basic collecting to dealing in antiques. Might be too intense for some beginners, but it's worth looking into when you want to get serious about developing your antique hunting skills.
Shop Locator
Visiting antique shops can be one of the best ways to learn about antiques and collecitbles. When you're looking for new shops to browse in your neck of the woods, check out this handy shop locator from Curioscape.
Visiting antique shops can be one of the best ways to learn about antiques and collecitbles. When you're looking for new shops to browse in your neck of the woods, check out this handy shop locator from Curioscape.
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Use the search feature on this site to look up all types of patents and trademarks.
Use the search feature on this site to look up all types of patents and trademarks.