By Stacey Solt
Antiques can make a great addition to any home, bringing a sense of nostalgia and timeless style to even the most modern decor. Antiques also make great gifts and guarantee that your present will be unique.
“People come here all the time and see a doll that they had when they were six years old,” says Melissa Weigner, mall manager of Zionsville Antique Mall. “They find it here, and it just takes them back to a better time.”
“Antiquing is in the blood,” adds Chris Smith, the owner of Blocker’s Hardware in Catasauqua. “You either love it, or you don’t. I love the way they smell, and the way it looks. I love the scratches. They just feel like home to me.”
Old or Antique?
It’s often difficult to define the term “antique.” Even the experts disagree about the age an item must be before it qualifies as an antique. Some experts say that 50-year-old pieces are antiques. Others disagree, stating that items less than 100 years old are merely “retro.” Many believe that quality and desirability should also be considered when labeling an item antique.
If you choose to collect one type of antique or retro item, take the time to research the item’s background and characteristics before making your first purchase, says Weigner. Novice glassware collectors may know that Depression-era glass and some cut glasses are from the early 20th century, but there are other characteristics to look for in glassware that may signify age or value. For example, blow-formed glass bottles typically date pre-1900s. Blob-top bottles were manufactured before 1880. Pontil marks can also indicate an older piece. Nearly every antique has its own distinct characteristics that will help to define its relative age, she adds.
This research can pay off in the field as you look for your first pieces. While most antique dealers will be able to identify an item’s age and value, you’ll need to know what you are looking for when you come across a potential antique at a yard sale or flea market. Understanding an item’s age can also be important if a seller tries to exaggerate his ware’s desirability, or attempts to pass reproductions as genuine antiques.
“Dealers in antique malls and shops will not do this,” says Weigner, but others might attempt to sell a reproduction as an antique—complete with an antique price tag. “We encourage our dealers to mark things as a reproduction. Honest antique shops should be able to help you.”
The Hunt for Antiques
Antique malls and stores are often a great place to begin a search for antiques, says Weigner. Her own mall in Zionsville features more than 200 different dealers. “If you see something that you want, you pick it up and pay for it at the register. It’s really fun and convenient, and a nice way to shop.” She notes that there are many great antique stores throughout the Lehigh Valley, and most of them now offer layaway for more expensive items. “With the economy, we’ve been finding that layaways are a great option. People are really taking advantage of it.”
Auctions can also be a good source for antiques, but the most popular auctions can attract hundreds of people–and crowds drive up prices past the item’s worth. Auctions can be a fun way to spend the day, but can be time-consuming and frustrating, she adds.
“Yard sales and flea markets are a great place to find antiques at a fair price,” says Weigner. Springtime brings a fresh wave of sellers and merchandise to both yard sales and flea markets. They can be a good place to find unusual antiques and unique items.
While bidders compete against each other at auctions, prices are often flexible at antique stores, yard sales, and flea markets. “It never hurts to ask about a better price,” she says. “The answer might be no, but a lot of times it is going to be yes. A lot of malls have discount policies. You can even be so bold as to make an offer.”
Online merchants have also become a valuable resource for antiques and unique items. Many vendors now host supplemental shops online, where they can offer items in addition to their physical store’s inventory. Others sell wares exclusively on the Internet, or use web sites to sell the occasional antique found in their attic.
The most popular online sources include eBay and Craigslist. But while many have had successful buying experiences online, it pays to be cautious. “You definitely need to look at people’s ratings and reviews,” says Weigner. Sellers may not disclose flaws in their merchandise, and delicate items can be damaged in the mail. “You need to be cautious, especially when it comes to glass or breakables.”
A Diamond in the Rough
Antique collectors typically fall into one of two groups: They either love the rustic beauty of an original antique, or seek to restore items to their original grandeur. Both have benefits and drawbacks.
Unrestored, good quality antiques generally hold their value over time. Many antique purists prefer unrestored items. Depending on its condition, original pieces are typically more desirable and thus more expensive than restored items. Restored items can also have a place in the home, and are typically restored to demonstrate their period aesthetics and purpose. Authentic restorations can also demand a premium price.
“Rough” antiques, which must be restored or refurbished for practical use or display, are typically the least expensive and the most attractive for creative types. Smith enjoys working with both rough and restored items and finding use for things that may have otherwise been discarded.
“There is nothing more disheartening than going into an antique store, and discovering that you cannot afford anything,” she says. “For me, it’s all about taking something rough and finding something beautiful and original underneath.” Smith prefers to find pieces that can be restored and personalized for her home, such as rough wood furniture and unwanted molding from older homes.
“If you do purchase a rough antique and wish to restore it, you get to choose the colors and hardware,” she says. “You also get the satisfaction of restoring something. I feel that if you want to restore something and it’s a very common item, by all means. It makes the item fun and usable.”
Smith gestured to a primitive hutch currently for sale in the store. The hutch was designed as a utilitarian piece, not for decoration – and was therefore made with two different types of wood, most likely scrap pieces left over from another project. Instead of restoring or polishing the wood, she applied a coat of white paint and some antique handles and door pulls, creating a practical and attractive storage solution that highlights the hutch’s original beauty and form.
She adds that research is certainly important if you wish to restore or refurbish an older item. It can be heartbreaking to discover that a unique, irreplaceable antique has been badly restored or damaged during the restoration process. Some pieces are best left in their original state. If you do choose to restore a common item, you may wish to investigate the piece’s original appearance and create an authentic reproduction.
A Mix of Old and New
“Antiques are such a wonderful addition to any home,” says Weigner. It’s not something that you’re going to go into five different stores and find the same look. It’s wonderful to find something unique to add to your home. It’s such a lovely way to bring back memories.”
Weigner often hears from customers who find items, now antiques, which were once found in their grandmother’s kitchen or home. These special pieces can bring back fond memories. If they hold sentimental value they will look good in any home, regardless of its decorating motif, she adds. “They will find things that remind them of their past. It can be a wonderful addition to have these things around you.”
Smith prefers to blend antiques and retro items into modern décor, finding practical uses for antiquated items. “Any décor can have a few antiques. There is always room for a few pieces, even if you have a modern home,” she says. She displays suggested uses in her store, such as a small icebox used as a food pantry. Her personal decorating mantra suggests a combination of old and new things, blended tastefully together to create a unique, personal mix. “You can have some new things. It’s all about balance.”
While purists may prefer one-of-a-kind items and unrestored antiques, the occasional reproduction can also add a touch of old-world class to your home. “If you like it and it adds some value to your life, why not?” says Smith.
It’s difficult to determine the true worth of an antique–especially a piece that has been restored or refurbished. Smith often examines the going price for a new item before pricing an antique. Because a reproduction cast iron tub can cost up to $1,500, a rough, antique tub selling for $150 can be a great find. Don’t forget to factor in the time required to make an item usable.
“It’s important to check for chips or cracks when buying an antique,” says Weigner. “Most places have no return policy.” Bring a cleaning cloth to check for damage on dirty or dusty pieces.
Use common sense when gauging an antique’s age. If it is worn on the bottom, it’s likely an older piece.
Sources
Blocker’s Hardware
311 Front Street
Catasauqua
610.264.3301
blockershardware.com
Zionsville Antique Mall
7567 Chestnut Street, Route 100 South
Zionsville
610.965.3292
zionsvilleantiques.com
