Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Check for a credible pattern of wear, as this is a good indicator of age. Inspect the bases of porcelain vases for signs of rubbing and slight discoloration -- indications that the item has been moved around many times on hard and sometimes grubby surfaces. Look for multiple faint scratches on the bases of glass items. Examine any chips on china, wood or plaster to see if they are clean and new or whether they have darkened with age. On paintings and mounted plaques, check the back for rusty nails which have discolored the surrounding paper (a sign that both the nails and the paper are original). On furniture, inspect the condition of the feet. This is where you should see the greatest amount of wear on any piece of furniture.
Judge the item's age by assessing its style. Does it have clean lines and a bold, angular shape? If so, it might belong to the Art Deco period or later. Is the item elaborately detailed, almost fussy in its appearance? This could point to an origin in the latter half of the 19th century. For more help with understanding the periods of antiques, see the Resources section.
Assess an item's age by asking yourself whether it has a function in modern life or suggests the habits of an earlier time. For example, a silver tea set may be from a time when formal afternoon tea was the fashion such as the 1920s or 30s.