Saturday, July 30, 2011

Diamond Antiques

Diamonds can be a woman’s best friend but the there are some things more than that. Antique jewelry can be alluring for a section of woman as they add a certain amount of gravity to their beauty. Although Diamonds are included in Antiques but still they have got their own different variety and panache. They certainly belong to the Royal Families of different countries and in a way are of sky high prices. They highlight and enhance a woman’s beauty more and more without any doubt. It signifies history and becomes more attractive as they pass years. The vintage materials placed very minute position are looked upon as a source of inspiration for modern jewelry makers.

Christie’s Auctions Antique Jewels

Christie’s, one of the foremost auction houses in London recently auctioned off some antique jewels that were discovered in the palace of an Indian king when the erstwhile English East India Company plundered his palace, almost 220 years back. The jewels, believed to be a gift from Egypt to the forefathers of the king had intricate carvings, the likes of which have been seen in the tomb of Tutankhamen which had similar jewelry designs. The jewels fetched a combined sum of nearly £ 35 million and it is being said that the money obtained from the auction will be given to charity.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Antique Vases

China is a land of rich heritage and culture. It is also a land of great antiques. The Ming dynasty of China was probably the best exponent of porcelain artwork in the world. Many of these ancient works of wonder remain still today and have immense antique value. It is even difficult to quote a price for these marvels. But sadly today due to unrestrained smuggling and growing greed of the people, the priceless artifacts are finding their way to the private collection of a few ultra wealthy people. But the real beauty of these works should be displayed in national museums and not some vault of a few rich and immoral businessmen.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Antiques are being sold in the Black Markets

The illegal buying as well as selling of antique goods is a major headache for almost all the countries of the world. Valuable goods are being illegally smuggled to different countries and these goods make their way into the hands of the collectors, most of who use money generated from illegal sources to buy these antique pieces. There was news surfacing recently that a sword belonging to an Indian king Tipu Sultan had made its way into England and was being sold in the black market for as many as $ 4 million. Different governments have met to crackdown on the illegal sale of historical artifacts but a solution is yet to be found.

Antique Maniacs

Some people have the hobby to collect antiques. This is like an addiction for these people. Whenever they notice an antique product, they become hyper active to achieve that. The antiques may be of various types. It can be furniture, painting, cars, sculptures, books and others. Even they collect the belongings of the historical figures. These people move all over the world in search of antiques.
While buying an antique, certain stuffs must be kept in minds. You should know about the particular product, which the individual is buying or collecting. If you do not have a proper idea of the material, you may be cheated by the frauds. The individual must keep eyes open while buying an antique product.

Friday, July 22, 2011

The most expensive Antique car in the world.

Wrongly assumed the “007 Aston Martin” or the “Bugatti Type 57SC” would have been the most expensive antique motor vehicle ever to be sold. That is totally incorrect. Officially the “Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic” is said to be the most expensive car in the world in terms of antique vehicles.
It was based on the “Aerolithe” concept car and required external reverting that would result in a seam not unlike a dorsal fin. Only four of them were ever produced and only two survived the day. The price tag for this piece of antique is near about $30-$40 million dollars which was sold to an undisclosed buyer.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

The Finest Collection of Antiques at Westland London

Westland London is known for its forty years of experience in collecting, valuing and presenting spectacular antiques which are unique and exotic. Its collection of antique sculptures varies from Scottish, American, Egyptian, English and French origins made out of various materials like wood, stone and marble. These exotic and exquisitely decorated sculptures are products of the Renaissance, Romantic, Classical and even oriental era’s of style.
Antiques at Westland London include beautiful chandeliers, jardinières, exotically crafted mirrors, beautiful mantel pieces, antique plinths, doors and windows, carved objects, firedogs, crests, lanterns, fireplaces, coins, fountain structures of architecture among others.

Antiques Today Are Worth the Keep

Antiques always have a lot of aesthetic as well as monetary value attached to it. The beauty of such items is incomparable, and all of them have some significance from the history attached to it. Hence if one is planning to sell an antique piece that has been a part of his home for a long period of time, he should think twice about selling and following it, the price. Antiques are item that is meant to be kept and cherished. Auctions are the best place to sell the antiques, keeping in mind the age of the piece.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Valuing Antiques

Valuing antiques usually takes a lot of research, patience and a thorough understanding of the antique itself. The true value of an antique however is only determined when being negotiated between the buyer and the seller. Most antiques are usually sold at auctions and even there, the buyers bid on the amount. Valuing an antique requires a high level of appreciation from a professional antique appraiser. The more spoken about, the higher the selling value becomes. Estimating the true value of an antique depends upon a lot many factors ranging from beauty, recorded number of sales, collectible’s worth and many others.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Music from Antiqueness

Gramophones and Phonographs (or popularly called ‘record players’ or ‘LP players’) cannot skip the conversation between two music lovers who cannot stop reminiscing about the music of the good old days. On one hand, gramophones have virtually become obsolete and are rarely found in the market. There may be very few antique shops which may showcase gramophones; finding one in top condition is still quite an impossible task. On the other hand, phonographs have undergone a tremendous transformation. They have transformed into turntables used by new age Disc jockeys. Despite these technological changes, older generation music loves find no substitute to the clarity and beauty of record players no matter how antique they are.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Antique Furniture

Always dreamt of owning that plush Victorian bed or that lavish sofa from the Louis era? Owning antique furniture is easier than one thinks. One has to look in the right places and visit the right auction houses. One might be surprised with the amount of valuable antique furniture people give away at throwaway prices due to ignorance. If one has the taste and knowledge of antiques then money is no hurdle. Rare Victorian cabinets and desks from the French Middle Ages lie unattended in many old houses. Generally their owners are unaware and are happy to sell them of at really low prices.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

They Aren’t Made Anymore You Know

Chipping the corner of the old heavy dining table was the moment of enlightenment. The prompt exclamation was that it was antique. Memories govern such private possessions. This is however an undeniable fact that antiques are, in some way or the other, far better and far more delightful to possess because of their grandeur and quality. A lesson I understood the hard, lectured way! The moment the antique word was popped, there was no stopping as the dates kept on going backwards and the name of its owners started to overwhelm me. The sole purpose of any antique is to give out the impression of its owner as somehow who is or may have been rich.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Antiques Roadshow

Antiques are something many people find interesting, and often have items which might be a real collector’s item. But it is not possible to appraise such items.
Antiques roadshow is a British TV show that does just that. It involves a number of antique appraisers and dealers who travel around the country and appraise various trinkets and antiques. It is a very long running show, and has been on air since 1979. There are international versions of the show as well. It has featured some quite valuable items, such as a seven million dollar collection of chandeliers. The most expensive single item on the show was a one million pound sculpture.