What to Look For in the Condition of a Decorative Antique?

The price of luxury decorative antiques is greatly affected by its condition. Therefore, it is important to check the condition of any piece that you are considering buying for yourself or as a wedding, birthday or retirement gift.   Chips   The first thing to look for is chips. Hold the item up to the light to make any cracks more visible. Any piece that has a crack will have less value. However, depending on how large the crack is will further determine the value of the piece. The smallest cracks are known as flea bites. They are named such because they are about the size of a flea bite. These small cracks may only be seen under a magnifying glass. The next biggest chip is the pinpoint chip. These chips are about the size of the head of a straight pin. Any chip larger than a pinpoint chip should be measured. These chips are often known as nibbles, nip or nick. The larger the chip the less value the item will generally have.   Cracks   Just like chips in luxury decorative antiques, cracks greatly reduce the value of an antique. Make sure to examine any piece that you are considering selling carefully for cracks. Three types of cracks are present in many antiques and each will lower the value of a piece. The first is the hairline crack. This crack may or may not go all the way through the piece. It is a single small line. The second type of crack is the spider crack. The spider crack is a series of hairline cracks that have a common starting point. The third type is the minor line. These are usually larger than a hairline crack while still being a single crack. Inspect antiques in good light with a magnifying glass enabling you to see these cracks.   Wear and Tear   The overall condition of an antique will greatly affect its value. Make sure to inspect the piece carefully for signs of wear. Common examples of wear include dinged corners on antique furniture, threadbare conditions on items made of cloth and signs of scratches on glassware and ceramics. Make sure to inspect both the inside and outside of the decorative antique.   Marks   Marks were placed on pieces of antiques to tell the buyer several things. A common mark was the maker's mark. This mark identified what company made the product. If a company owned more than one factory, then it was common for the maker to put a mark on the piece to show what factory the piece was produced at. Some manufacturers also numbered their pieces. These pieces are often highly collectible since they were made only in a certain quantity.   Once you have found the decorative antique that you want to buy, it is advisable to haggle about the price. Start by offering half the asking price and negotiate with the owner from there. Know the value of the piece and do not pay more than it is truly want.

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