What is antiquing?

Starting an antique collection is a fun activity that offers a collector personal enjoyment and an opportunity to find pieces of history. To antique collectors the word “antiquing” is a general term that describes the act of searching, shopping, identifying, negotiating or bargaining for antiques. When you visit an antique shop, you need to understand what you are looking for.

An antique is an object that represents a previous era or time in human society. While antiques are often more than 100 years of age, collectibles are usually less than that. Antiques are objects that illustrate some degree of true artisanship or a certain attention to design or functionality. Sometimes antiques become family heirlooms and are passed down as a part of a family estate. Antiques are often bought and sold at specialized antique shops.

Some people find the idea of starting an antique collection to be an overwhelming idea. There are tons of items to collect so it may be hard to choose what collection to begin. However, collecting is easy to start. You can start by studying collections, talk to dealers and browse antique stores. Something will catch your attention and you will be off and running before you know it. You can find antiques in all price ranges so collecting is feasible for everyone’s budget.

Many people collect pieces that they will also use in their homes. They care for them with the expectation that they will hold their value or possibly appreciate over time. Items such as antique furniture like dining tables, chairs, desks, beds, dressers, etc. are the most collected pieces people also use and keep in their homes. These particular pieces are made of rosewood, oak, mahogany, pine, and walnut and have withstood the test of time better than furniture being made today.

Most people collect items because of their interest in the objects or because the items hold sentimental value. Sometimes a gift from a family member can start a collection. Antique lovers enjoy the chase more than anything. This is where the word “antiquing” is prevalent. They relish searching through stores, yard sales, flea markets and antique shops all over the country searching for that specific item they have been looking for. You can spend an entire weekend at yard sales looking for an antique that someone else thinks is junk. They are out there and it’s up to you to find them.

For some of the best antiques around, we invite you to visit Antique Allure and look around. If you are a beginner and aren’t quite sure what you are looking for, sometimes the best way to decide is to see what is selling and what others are looking for. You can speak to any of our staff that are experts in the antiquing field. We are happy to give you tips and suggestions. If you are looking for something specific, we can probably find an answer for you.

To get started, find an antique shop that you can spend some time in just browsing around. Antique Allure welcomes you.

Phone: (215) 322-5868

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