10 tips for Antique Treasure Hunting
Antique treasure hunts take place at any yard sale, car boot sale or flea market. The big question is, is it a piece of junk, or is it a geniune antique for a good price?
Preferably you are an expert in antiques, but if you aren’t, here are 10 tips that may help:
1. Bad repairs
Generally speaking, if your titbit has been repaired then the value will be reduced. Unless you are buying for yourself, don’t touch repaired stuff.
2. Avoid lots of identical items
If there are a few figurines the same then chances are you are on to a bad thing.
3. Nails
Any nails made after 1880 are regular and mass produced. Before that they were hand made.
4. Dealer guarantees
If you are buying from a dealer, ask for a written guarantee including the item description.
5. Wear and tear
Look to see if the item has worn as you may expect with a piece of that age. Simulated wear can appear in seemingly odd places.
6. Old saw
An old saw has irregular spaces between the unevenly parallel scars.
7. Pricing up
Priceminer.com, artfact.com and other online resources can be used to estimate the worth of your item?
8. Glue
Old glue crystalises, unlike PVC.
9. Dovetail joints
Older wooden furniture will have irregular spaces between the handmade corner joints.
10. Make friends with a dealer
If you want to have a serious crack at it, a second opinion always helps.
At Treasure Hunt Design we create actual treasure hunts for people to participate in, and we are NOT experts in antiques!