Is Your Antique Collection Secure?

Being an antique enthusiast, I have an obsession for collecting antiques and would like to share some vague ideas on selecting and protecting your vintage artifacts.

Living right near a bustling and fairly prosperous commercial area or anywhere else for that matter poses a great threat of losing your valued home items due to theft. It is very important to have a properly installed, quality home alarm system that can significantly improve your overall security. Getting a good gadget ensures peace-of-mind for people like me - an aesthetic antique collector, thinking that it is safe from unknown intruders. Now that my home is powered by ADT Home Security Systems I can be serene midst of turbulence caused by frequent thefts that I often read in local news.

If you want to shop for such vintage master pieces, the places that you can spot them are auctions, estate sales, searching at flea markets or garage sales. I often look-out for vintage wood articles and silverware at such places. At the same time, it is necessary to know if it is an actual antique piece before you get taken for a ride. Many of these items may have been passed down from generations or a chain of owners before it comes into your hands, making it an antique or priceless commodity.

To classify a piece of furniture as an antique all you have to do is to check when the particular artifact was made. As there was an imitation of designs on the furniture carved during 1920’s through to the 1950. Genuine antiques are usually more than 100 years old. The next thing to observe is the decorative designs or the intricacy of the furniture and the quality aspect. If you go for museum pieces of medieval, French, Tudor style or Louis XIV make, are too fragile to be used and are better only for display. Even an antique store might label a 50 year old furniture piece as antique. It is better to find out the actual age of the piece. Some times it is even better to get an expert suggestion if you're not too sure of what you’re looking at is a replica or real piece.

It is very much in-need to distinguish between a sterling silver and just silverware. Most of the artifacts will have the word 'STERLING' engraved on the back of the item. Otherwise it is generally stainless silver-plate an alloy such as German silver. Also, on the back of a silver ware you can find hallmarks and design style by which you can categorize an original piece. By identifying hallmarks you can be able to depict the age of a piece and with the help of design style you can locate the maker.

These vintage artifacts not only enhance your interior decoration they also make a good gift. It you're soliciting information on good Christmas presents, here's something you can choose from - Tiffany Favrile glass, French ceramics, Silver Jewelry, carnival glassware - identified by its unique iridescent color, Antique Brass, Art Deco Lamps and Vanity Mirror, Porcelain Vase and many others.

Treeves - About Author:
Tina is a specialty free-lance writer who enjoys topics such as antique collecting and antique artifacts protected by ADT Home Security.

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http://www.articleside.com/art-articles/is-your-antique-collection-secure.htm

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