Antique collecting as a hobby
History tells us that antique collecting is one of the oldest hobbies known to
man. This is evident to countless pieces of just about anything that many people
possess as "keepsakes." As time passed by, many of the people who loved
collecting realized that keeping something for a long time can increase the
value of the piece and can be a profitable source of income.
Although many people see antique collecting as a viable business option, many
are still doing it just for the sake of satisfying their personal needs. Many
people continue to collect antiques because these give them the satisfaction
they need. Knowing that a certain and unique piece belongs to them, more and
more are getting into antique collecting not only a business venture but as a
hobby as well.
Each antique collector has his or her own reasons for collecting a specific or a
wide range of pieces. Some people collect items that have personal significance
to them while others collect pieces that have historical importance. But today,
those who make antique collecting a hobby are more into keeping pieces that have
decorative yet useful value at the same time.
How can you tell if it's antique?
Contrary to common conception, antique collecting is not only for those who have
the money to buy expensive pieces. Antique collecting is also for those who love
to keep valuable and unique pieces for a long time. If you are one of those
people who love collecting items and you would want to increase its value for
the future, it is best if you familiarize yourself with the basics of antique
collecting.
The first thing that you need to know if you are an antique enthusiast or
hobbyist is to how to determine if a certain piece is an antique or not. The
first qualification for something to be an antique is that it has to be at least
10 decades or 100 years old or more. This applies to antiques that are
masterpieces and are made by people who are way beyond the present times.
If you are into antique collecting as a hobby, make sure that the piece you keep
has a historical value that will be treasured in the present as well as in the
future. Also, look for items that satisfy the senses - especially the
visuals. Those pieces present vivid connections of color lines and texture.
(TIP: The most ideal of such items include decorative arts including furniture
pieces, intricate metal works, unique ceramics as well as glass items.)