Before we talked about “How to take care of rare/antique furniture”. Right now Kaliuda Gallery Bali as a supplier antique furniture, going to share with you our 7 top tips and tricks for buying antiques. If you’re an antique lover that means you must know which piece is the right one to bring home with you, starting from how to tell a real from a fake when it comes to shop antiques.
1. Learn about your piece
Our first tip is to do research about which antique you’re going to hunt. Read books, visit collectors and dealers, make sure to know what treasures you’re looking for and where to find them. Search the internet for more information. You can also find antiques at Kaliuda Gallery Bali.
2. Carefully examine the quality and condition of your piece
When it comes to furniture pieces, in particular, you may find that the most important thing to remember is that you should carefully examine the quality and condition of your piece. Older pieces also often tend to be significantly heavier than modern pieces. Don’t forget to check the joints and construction, because that’s the easiest way to determine the age of the piece itself. Was it handmade? How was the wood? Is it cut or carved? Handmade furniture is likely not going to have 100% perfect identical elements. For example, all four legs on a carved dining table are likely not going to be 100% the same. Make sure you know the difference between good and poor quality before you buy.
3. Be selective and avoid trends
Collecting and buying antiques should be about the quality and not the quantity. Remember to have your own opinions about what to collect.
4. If in doubt, have the piece appraised
Sometimes it’s best to leave your piece valuation up to the professionals. But remember, appraisers are not licensed, so anyone can claim to be one. Don’t rely on an Internet appraisal solely. A professional will need to see the actual item to value it the most accurately. Remember to ask for references and check them out. Hire only someone who specializes in what you need to be appraised. Be prepared to spend because a reputable appraiser will typically charge.
5. Trust your instinct
If you are already sure that’s the right one and if it’s a price you’re willing to pay, then it’s the right piece to bring home with you. But don’t forget to check with the seller if they do know about the piece. You need to trust your instinct when you’re not dealing with someone reputable.
6. Haggle the price
When it comes to bargaining for antiques, some people are too afraid to ask for a price change. When negotiating a better price on antiques always remember to be polite and reasonable. Point out the flaws but never insult a seller’s wares as a bargaining tactic. If they don’t want to bargain, be ready to move along and deal with someone else who will.
7. Allow mistakes to happen
In the end, the most important thing is to be adventurous. Mix and match what you buy and avoid being limited by sticking to just one style. Good quality pieces from different eras can look really nice together.
If you are a fan of antiques, be it antique furniture or antique home decor, and want to buy some, visit us at Kaliuda Gallery on Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai 107, Suwung Kauh, Pemogan, Denpasar, or visit our website at kaliudagallery.com