Fairlook Antiques

Is now the time to liquidate? To liquidate assets is to sell property, possessions, antiques, collectibles, and/or investments to convert them to cash. While some people liquidate assets to pay debts, many simply want to finance new ventures or make purchases that reflect their current interests.

Many antiques lose value if they’ve been cleaned, repaired or restored, but the standards for art are different. Expertly restored artworks tend to command higher prices than those that are dirty or deteriorating and often the increase is significant.

To maintain the original color of antique glassware, be sure to store the glassware away from direct sunlight. Too much exposure to ultraviolet rays can lighten colors and even change colors in some types of antique glass.

Did you know the Sun King (aka King Louis XIV of France) was the first to demand his furniture be both beautiful and comfortable? Before then, furniture was all about functionality.

It’s important to remember that some chemical solvents and cleaners can do more damage to your antiques than good. If you’re planning to bring an item in to us for appraisal, it’s usually best to avoid trying to clean it until you know the safest method.

Art is the spice of life- and if you like antique styles of art, you will find plenty of options available. In fact, they often complement a variety of decorating styles and can fit into many rooms that you have in mind.

Unless you are a collector of specific style of antique furniture, you should purchase an item that matches your decorating scheme, and is one that you find attractive. Individual pieces can make for an attractive, eclectic mix.

French furnishings like country hutches are useful in kitchens, family rooms, and dining rooms. French country hutches date back to French kings like Louis XV and Louis XVI. Their design and usefulness are always in demand.

Unfortunately, people will always attempt to counterfeit any item that has monetary value. If you need to ensure that you aren’t paying a premium for an antique that’s not all it’s advertised to be, you may want to stick to buying from an antiques dealer.

One of the most sought-after French antiques is the armoire, which is very similar to modern-day wardrobes. These have been common in the United States since the early 17th century.

If you are buying furniture, we encourage you to make a careful inspection. Open drawers, check hinges, have a seat in a chair, inspect the patina – give it a good going over. If you have any questions about an item, ask and we will help you.

Do you have a piece of antique art that you are considering either insuring or selling? A great gallery can help you get the advice and value information that you need- and they have a great selection to look through to find similar options if you are keeping your piece.

While the stylish excesses of the rich, voluptuous Art Nouveau movement appealed to the elite, it didn't remain popular for long. Patrons grew bored within a decade, and it was considered out of style by the beginning of World War I.

The average height of a grandfather clock is about 8 feet tall. When people think of antique clocks, they often picture ‘tall case clocks,’ which are a staple in most antique stores. The authentic grandfather clocks built in the early 1800s were built to last a lifetime.

Furniture crafted in provincial towns like Lyon, Blois, and Orleans in the Loire valley or Liege in Belgium, tended to follow the style designs that were first unveiled in Paris. But provincial imitation of the latest Parisian French furnishing styles tended to lag by decades.

Have you been hesitant to attempt selling an antique item in your possession because you aren’t exactly sure how to put a value on it? When you work with an experienced antiques dealer, you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re getting a fair price.

Did you know there is a growing segment of the population that buys and sells art and antiques – either online or through auctions in person – or both? As you learn more about art and antiques you increase your chances of finding something valuable that has been underpriced by another owner.

When it comes to antique glassware, there are many different elements that go into determining its value. This includes identifying features like shape, type, and markings, as well as color, design, and overall condition.

The Art Deco movement in France did not simply evolve from its predecessor Art Nouveau. Rather it was borne from a variety of influences, including African sculpture and ancient Egyptian and Southwest American Indian arts.

Can toothpaste really be used to clean antique silver in hard to reach areas? Yes and no. While toothpaste can effectively remove dirt and debris from crevices on new silver pieces, it is usually too abrasive for antique silver pieces and may actually end up leaving scratches.

It takes more than age to make antique art valuable. Antique woodcuts produced between 1905 and 1920 by the German Expressionists are so highly valued, they rank second only to Albrecht Durer’s original prints produced in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

One common type of antique glass is Cambridge glass, which was manufactured from the 1900s to the 1980s until the company went bankrupt. Popular among the Cambridge glass lines was etched stemware with floral details.

Did you know that the Neoclassical style of French furnishings and interiors were strongly influenced by Greco-Roman antiquities? This was due to rising popular interest in the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii.

In 1889, only nine years after it opened, Rookwood Pottery won the gold medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle. Owned by Maria Longworth, Rookwood was the first American pottery to attract European respect and recognition, and it was also the first female-owned manufacturing company in the US.

In 1788, Francesco Bartolozzi invented the metal plate etching technique known as stipple engraving, which he used to create his famous work, The Hours. He was a member of the London Royal Academy and the official Royal Engraver to King George III.