Buying Tips for Antique and Vintage Ceramics

Learn the ins and outs of buying ceramics to build a collection. Focus on the condition before plunking down the cash.

If a collector is simply looking for pieces for display purposes, a chip or hairline crack may not detract from the beauty of the piece. But these pieces do have less value than a piece in perfect condition.

Study the Piece Before Purchasing.

Antique ceramics are more apt to show some wear, aside from obvious chips and cracks. If the piece is held up to the light, scratches from utensils may appear to be much stronger and the amount of use and wear plays a role in valuing the piece.
Run a finger around the base of the piece to feel for smaller chips. Run fingers all over the piece to feel for hair line cracks, flaws the eyes may not see.
Carry a jeweler's loupe or magnifying glass when out foraging for pieces to add to a collection. There is nothing more disappointing that getting a lovely Shelly tea pot home and finding a hairline crack or a repair to the handle.
Gently ping the piece with a finger and listen how it sounds. If it's a flat sound like a thud, it likely has an invisible hairline crack. It it's a slight echo, chances are there are no cracks.

Ceramic Repair

Ceramic repair can make a difference if the piece is part of a hard-to-find collection. Ceramic Restorers can do a very good job in restoring a piece to appear as though original. Only an honest dealer will be upfront about that if they are aware of it. These pieces are difficult to discern.
Restored or repaired pieces should not be valued as high as an original intact piece. Restored pieces don't make a good investment for possible resale, but very special pieces can certainly be improved and may be worth restoring.
Brown spots in porcelain may show they are older pieces, but they have little value. Even when bleached, it's often difficult to remove entirely. Only purchase these pieces if you love them. They have little value as an investment.
A collector should always ask questions of the dealer or auctioneer, rather than assume the piece is in original condition, especially given the value and the investment she is about to make.

Collecting Antique Silver Thimbles: Miniature Works of Art

Antique silver thimbles are a miniature collector's dream, especially those with fine detail and workmanship. They are prized as miniature works of art.

Thimbles are miniature works of art and collectors of all things miniature love these pieces for their fine detail, especially the Victorian silver thimbles. This can be an expensive collection.

The Thimble in History

A Roman bronze thimble was used in Pompeii nearly 2000 years ago. Another Roman thimble was found at St Albans, England, a place known to the Romans as Verulamium. In the late 17th century a Dutch maker produced thimbles with dimples or pits to keep the needle from slipping.
The earliest silver thimbles or those made before the mid 19th century were indented or pitted by hand, so it's easy to date older thimbles by the imperfections of the indentations that keep the needle from slipping.

Silver Thimble Collections

The most sought after silver thimbles are those with depictions of creatures, both mythical and realistic, as well as those with depictions of people, cherubs and landscapes. Some collectors have very focused silver thimble collections. They may look for specific makers or collect only those from a certain time period. Or, they may only collect souvenir silver thimbles. The art was in the attention to detail, and the best silver thimbles were beautifully enhanced.
Solid Silver thimbles were rarely made because the material was not thought to be strong enough to keep the needle from puncturing through it. 19th century designer, Charles Horner began to make them with a steel foundation, covered with silver and these are generally known as Dorcas.

The German Silver Thimble

The German silver thimble is often prized for it's fanciful detailing around the rim which may include flourishes of flowers or birds. The German silver thimble can be more valuable to a collector than the English thimbles.

A Price Guide to Antique Silver Thimbles

Most antique silver thimbles sell for less than $100, but there are some valued much higher. Those commemorating royal events of the 19th century can sell for as much as $1200 or as low as $500. Charles Horner silver thimbles can sell for as much as $500. There is an 1845 Silver Gilt Thimble made by Yapp and Woodward of Birmingham valued at over $5000.
Rarity, maker and condition all play a role in valuing thimbles as with anything collectible or antique. Collectors should do their research before spending a fortune on these little works of art.

Thimble Etymology

Due to the thimble's bell shape and the fact it was meant to be worn on the thumb, the original name was thought to be "thumb bell." "Thimble" seems to be a logical progression of "thumb bell," but according to Fiona Ure in her Collector Cafe article, Thymels, "Thimble" comes from the old English word "thymel," which is a finger stall, a material meant to protect an injured finger. So there are two schools of thought to the etymology of the word "thimble."

Read more at Suite101: Collecting Antique Silver Thimbles: Miniature Works of Art http://collectibles.suite101.com/article.cfm/collecting-antique-silver-thimbles-miniature-works-of-art#ixzz0nPLCm2ri

How to Care for Antique Furniture

Pieces that have stood the test of time deserve special care. Careful consideration has to be taken when cleaning and caring for antique furniture and accessories.

The methods for taking care of antique furniture have changed over the years. As items age, special consideration must be taken, and they cannot be treated in the same way as modern home furnishings.

The Effect of Heat and Sunlight on Antiques

Where antique items are placed in the home is very important because too much light is damaging to antique furniture. Sunlight can degrade finishes, veneers, wood and fabrics. Antique furniture should be placed out of direct sunlight, and curtains or shades should be used to diffuse or block sunlight on particularly sunny days. Also, where possible, turn pieces of furniture around occasionally to even the fading process.
Avoid placing antique furniture in front of heating and air conditioning vents, radiators, fireplaces or stoves. The heat can cause drying out and shrinking that can loosen glue joints, veneers, inlays and marquetry. Any of these things can significantly decrease the value of the piece.

Moisture and Humidity in the Air

Antique furniture is greatly affected by the amount of moisture in the air. Changes in relative humidity can cause wood to expand and contract, damaging wood and veneers. This expansion and contraction can cause glue joints to loosen, and drawers and doors to become stuck in their openings.
Long periods of high humidity can lead to the growth of mold, rot and even possibly insect infestation. If the climate is humid, the use of a dehumidifier is recommended. Similarly, if it’s too dry, consider using a humidifier. Either way, maintaining relative humidity will minimize any adverse effects that can be caused by too much or too little moisture in the air.

Cleaning and Polishing Antique Furniture

Many people believe that wood needs to be treated with oil to keep it from drying out, but this is really a myth. Furniture oils will temporarily enhance the appearance, but will eventually contribute to the degradation