Rare Antiques

What are antiques?

Antiques are simply defined as “old collectible items.” A number of objects accumulate more value as they age. Among them are vintage cars, jewelry,

furniture, coins, and vases, among others. Not only do they grow in sentimental, historical, and cultural worth, the also grow in corresponding monetary

value. For antiques, the older, the rarer, and the stronger the item is despite its age, the more valuable it is. That’s why rare antiques cost a lot of

money, and only those who can afford it can really collect them.

Why do people collect antiques?

Antique collectors usually get into this hobby not just because of antiques’ worth in all aspects, but also because of the pleasure of being able to

appreciate the art and craftsmanship of earlier humans etched in each antique piece. Having antiques gives a feeling of collecting pieces of history with

these silent witnesses of the past.

Antiques are important in sociological, historical, and anthropological studies. They are also especially important in many other social sciences, and even

in actual sciences such as geology.

What are the different types of antique collectables?

There are various types of antique collectables. Among them are antique pieces of furniture (be it English, continental, American, African or Asian, among

others), glasses, plates and ceramics (such as silver plates, Sheffield plates, and ceramic plates), pottery, porcelain, ivory items, enamels, products of

metallurgy, precious stones (such as ruby and jade), antique clocks and watches, antique musical and jewelry boxes, jewelry, cars, laces, embroidery and

other fabric products, and tapestry, among many others.

Where can antiques be found?

Antiques can usually be found in museums, antique shops, homes of antique collectors, old houses, and other places where antiques can be displayed. Dealers

of antiques, especially rare antiques, usually belong to national trade associations, antique collectors associations, or other groups of antique

enthusiasts.

Antique Shopping: Testing Rare Antiques

There are various ways of testing the authenticity of antiques, especially those that sellers claim to be “real antiques”. The first and most basic is by

checking if there is any marking or signature signifying the maker or the antique item and/or the year it was made.

Antique collectors make use of black light with long waves in checking out antiques and testing if they are authentic. These black light devices offer

various ways of detecting fake or broken antiques. If you find any of the following on the antique item before you, you might need to reconsider the price ad

conditions of your trade.

1. Porcelain Repairs

Some signs of antique repair cannot be easily seen by the naked eye. However, with the ultraviolet light from black light devices, it would be easy to spot

if repairs were made on porcelain antique.

2. Reproduction Glass

With today’s technology, it easy to make an imitation of almost any work of art, including antiques. The use of black light on antiques made of glass is

particularly helpful in detecting reproduction glass. Reproduction glass usually does not glow under black light. Also, you can determine the type of glass

used on the antique item simply by checking out the color that they’re supposed to exhibit under black light. Depression glass, American colorless glass,

Vaseline glass, and other glasses have their different characteristics.

3. Repairs in Works of Art

Even repairs, cracks, and other blemishes in art works can be detected under black light. Some paintings might have been repaired.

4. Ephemera

Chemical bleaches and dyes glow under black light. Because of this, you’d be able to see if any memorabilia item has been tampered with.

Even antique items made of fabric and iron can be checked using black light. Just make sure to ask antique experts of read on how to interpret what you would

see under the black light.



By: Samson

About the Author:

The romance and mystery of secret compartments in antique desks surged with the popular movie, National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. In the movie, the hero, Benjamin Franklin Gates (played by Nicholas Cage) has to break into the White House to find clues hidden in a secret compartment in the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. A second clue is found in the twin desk at Buckingham Palace. The secret compartments open up with a combination involving how far the other known drawers are pulled out. It is quite elaborate, and appeals to the detective in all of us!

An actual finding of valuable documents in an old desk happened in the early 1900’s. In 1794, the future 5th president of the United States, James Monroe, purchased a Louis XVI desk that had a secret compartment. James Monroe did not tell anyone about this secret compartment. It wasn’t until 1906 when one of Monroe’s descendants, a child, damaged the desk. The desk was taken to a cabinet maker to be repaired and the secret compartment was discovered. Inside were priceless and historical documents, including letters from Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Considering that Jefferson burned most of his personal correspondence, this truly was a treasure!

Today, many antique seekers dream of finding a desk with a secret compartment containing hidden treasures. So what should you be looking for to help you narrow the search?

Though they had been around for awhile, secret compartments in desks, inspired by the Italians, became popular in English and American cabinet making around 1720. The trend continued for about 100 years, and though later ones can be found, they were not as common. One reason that they became desirable was for strictly functional reasons: a secure place to keep valuable documents, money and jewelry. Today we use safety deposit boxes and safes, but they were not in existence back then, so hidden compartments helped people feel secure.

Some desks would have only one hidden compartment, others would have many. In one simple slant top desk, 21 hidden cubbies were discovered. Some compartments are a decent size, and may be found under false bottoms in a drawer. Document boxes were one type of larger hidden compartments that became quite common for awhile, often hidden behind the half column pilasters that flanked the central section. Other secret compartments are quite small with just enough room for a few folded bills or perhaps a small piece of jewelry.

Some secret compartments in desks could only be reached by removing a series of regular drawers, others were concealed behind ornamental trim. Some were opened by raising them up with a fingernail or letter opener, and others were held in place with a wooden spring that first had to be released. This complicated the process because of the additional trick of finding the trigger for the spring. The best way is simply by feeling around.

After seeing a few of these hidden compartments, one has to admire the ingenuity of the cabinetmakers of the time. I have heard of some desk owners taking years to locate secret compartments that there were sure that existed. So owning an antique desk and discovering its secrets, is more a work of love for the challenge, not a “get rich quick” deal.

So the question remains, does the real Resolute desk in the Oval office have a secret compartment? I did a little checking around and cannot say for sure. I found one person online who confidently said, “Yes!” but gave no documentation or proof, so my answer is, “I don’t know, but would love to find out!”



By: MJ Marks

About the Author:

A sauna in one’s apartment in no longer constrained by lack of space or shortage of money. As new and more modern design concepts come up in the architectural domain, a well and ergonomically designed sauna and an adjoining bathroom can be afforded and placed in a lot of homes today.

Bathrooms and adjoining saunas have become more stylish and contemporary, prudent use of space and sophisticated fittings can transform the smallest bathroom and sauna cabin into a glamour room. Designs and structures vary as per the taste and budget of the owner. So, what makes a good sauna and bathroom design? The first and foremost requisite for a good design is that it must be healthy, safe and pleasing. Designers go to details in order to ensure that these attributes are fulfilled.

The designers of a sauna and an adjoining bathroom at the outset look at the needs of the owner. If the structure is required for a larger audience, the design will vary significantly from that required for just a few people. By normal standards, even a small sauna must be able to fit in two people and the traditional size of a sauna available in a most places fits four. The consideration is the space available and the intended users. For apartments and in house saunas, an adjoining bathroom and a shower is recommended in order to save on space. For large community saunas, shower to bather ratio need some consideration so you get the appropriate number of showers.

Unlike saunas in yesteryears, modern saunas have a host of facilities. Running water for one is essential. In case more bathers are utilizing the services of the sauna, the showers need to be appropriately located and norms of privacy maintained. For an apartment, the bathroom next to the sauna will do the job.

When one designs a separate sauna cabin, it must have place for at least four people in the sauna, possibly more. The shower room only needs space for two at the same time since there is usually no rush when bathing and one can wait a while before showering. In addition to the sauna and shower, there should ideally be a dry room to undress and change and it should be between the shower and the remaining part of the house.

Location of a sauna is another important aspect. In case of an in-house affair, it should ideally be placed next to an exterior wall to ensure that proper ducts for ventilation can be arranged. For larger saunas, the location will depend upon the space available and the external environment. The placement and number of benches, and the location and type of heater will all play an important part in the design of larger saunas. A number of benchmarks are available for deciding upon the size, space and location of the benches within a sauna. They all boil down to the convenience and space available within the sauna.

Placement and design of a heater is also very important. The heater should be placed a safe distance away from the door and benches. If the heater is right next to the door of the sauna, the door should be hinged on the heater’s side. This will ensure that there are no burn related incidents within the sauna. The door should open out of the sauna.

Ample amount of spare towels and the other bathroom accessories must be made available. The furniture for a sauna is another aspect which one has to decide upon right at the designing stage. Wood is preferred, but it is expensive. Certain wood substitutes are also available which are gaining popularity in the market.

Overall, the sauna and bathroom must provide the user the intended pleasure and the convenience they have been designed for. Technology and material is available in abundance. What matters is your taste, style and how deep your pockets are.



By: Isabel Baldry

About the Author:

Votive candles are known as the easiest kind of candles to make. Aside from this fact, it can be used in any type of surrounding in order to add charm and sometimes, aroma, to the ambience. Your usual votive candle can stay lighted for about 15 hours or until it uses up all its candle wax. Body: As we all know, candles are made to provide light. Another reason would be its ability as a good source of heat. This would be since it consists of fuel that has a solid block form and a wick.

During the 19th century, the material used for making candles is called tallow. It is a derivative of beef-fat. At present, candles are made from wax. The usual material used now is paraffin, but some candles can also be made from soy, beeswax, or gel.

Candle manufacturers are called chandlers. Different types of equipments have been created in order to put candles in place. This is from your plain tabletop holders to exquisite chandeliers. By using a match or any fire source, its heat would melt the candle then it would vaporize a very minute quantity of fuel.

When the fuel is already vaporized, it then mixes with oxygen from the atmosphere which will result to the formation of flame. With the heat produced by this flame, it helps maintain the candle by burning throughout the last wax component of the candle stick.

The mechanism for this is that once the flame heats the candle wax, it then melts the solid fuel, after which, the fuel that is already in liquid form would move upward the wick. Then the fuel would vaporize in order to burn and produce flame.

In the early ages, electricity was not available. Candles as well as oil were utilized as light sources. This was common in Europe and the Mediterranean. Nowadays, candles are utilized for decorative purposes or to set an ambience of relaxation or romance. In addition, it is also used today as an emergency source of light during an event of power failures. As for therapy, candles are mixed with scents and essential oils in order to promote a soothing, relaxing and curative effect. This is called aromatherapy.

The downside of using a candle is that it is a fire hazard. Moreover, due to the fact that the melted wax is very hot, it can cause burns when accidentally placed on your skin. In order to prevent such things to happen, one should practice precautionary measures while using candles. It should not be placed within reach of small children as well near curtains or any fabrics which can burn easily.

In order to prevent skin burns when using candles, especially in putting it off, it is best to make use of a candle snuffer. It is a tiny metal cup with a long handle. In addition, if one has source oxygen, like an oxygen tank, one should not use a candle. This is due to the fact that when the lighted candle is exposed to this oxygen, it can cause combustion.

Thus, Votive candles are known as the easiest kind of candles to make. Aside from this fact, it can be used in any type of surrounding in order to add charm and sometimes, aroma, to the ambience. Your usual votive candle can stay lighted for about 15 hours or until it uses up all its candle wax.

A nicely created votive candle has a standard burning degree. This is in order to attain the right volume of scent. Furthermore, a votive candle should be placed in a candle holder because it is not made to stand on its own.

The things that you would need in making a votive candle are the following:

Wax additives

Wax which are suitable in making votives

Fragrance oil (this is optional)

Dye (this is optional)

Pre-tabbed wicks that are suitable for making votives (usually 36-24-24 zinc core)

Metal votive molds

Mold release spray (this is optional)

Pouring pot

The first step would be to make mixture of metal wax. For this process, you would need a double boiler. The temperature should be around 175