But for amateurs there are a few tips that can help guide them to value antiques.
There are quite a few artifacts that come with a stamp or some other manufacture details. Paintings obviously are usually signed by the artists, which no doubt helps in identifying and valuing the antiques.
Rarity of the items is also an important aspect for valuation. If a particular piece of furniture is rare then even if the condition is not perfect the value of the antique still remains strong.
Obviously age is an important factor. Every item that crosses the 100 year old mark is listed as an antique. Invariably it is the case of the older the better the value.
Condition of the antique is important and the value varies according to the degree and quality of any repair and restoration work .
There are a number of guides available to help with the valuation of the antiques, be the resource available in print or online. The printed guides are usually more reliable. But to find out the true value of a piece the item should match the description well for an accurate value.
Lastly the most important thing to consider is whether the item is fake or genuine such as the evidence of use over the years, the polishing work done and even the smell of the piece. Inspecting the antique item thoroughly will help you to identify fairly accurately whether the piece is original.
If you inspected the French provincial table we show here with square legs, 3 plank top, 1 drawer and with a glorious dark rich oak colour you will see it is a genuine antique table. For more antique tables see our website.