Top Antique
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 Antique Flamed Mahogany Art Deco Marble Top Bar Sideboard from France  US $9,500.00
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 Antique Flat Top Highboy circa 1740 US $9,500.00
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 H1158 ANTIQUE AMERICAN ROSEWOOD TURTLE TOP TABLE US $9,335.00
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 7427 Antique Gilt Gold Colsole Table with White Marble Top US $8,500.00
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 Antique Danish Biedermeier Period Roll Top Secretary US $8,250.00
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 3 Pc ANTIQUE BERKEY GAY MARBLE TOP WALNUT BEDROOM SET US $8,075.00
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 Antique original Italian Louis XVI Console Marble Top US $8,000.00
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 Pair Antique FRENCH MARBLE TOP IRON BUTCHERS TABLE US $8,000.00
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 19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE SPECIMEN MARBLE TOP TABLE US $7,824.47
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 E 173 Antique French Sideboard with Marble Tops US $4,425.00
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 19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE DISH TOP MAHOGANY GUERIDON TABLE US $4,267.89
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 Antique George III Mahogany Desk circa 1800 leather top US $4,295.00
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 Antique Executive Roll Top Desk US $3,250.00
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 111037 ANTIQUE FRENCH RENAISSANCE WRITING DESK W LEATHER TOP US $3,225.00
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 ANTIQUE OAK ROLL TOP DESK US $3,200.00
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 Antique Oak Leather Top Writing Desk Library Table with Two Drawers US $3,005.00
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 Mahogany 5 1 2 Antique 1910 Roll Top Desk US $2,995.00
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 7503 ANTIQUE FRENCH RENAISSANCE MARBLE TOP SERVER US $2,980.00
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 Antique French Dresser Buffet Cabinet Walnut Marble Top Display Cupboard c1900 US $2,924.30
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 Antique Danish Pine Buffet Sideboard with Top Exceptional Carving c1890 US $2,915.00
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Collectible Architectural Oddments For Profit
Nowadays there are a lot of people that are wanting to learn all about the buying and selling of antiques, more than possibly at any time in history.
No doubt the popular U.S. TV show 'The Antiques Road Show' and it's English counterpart, have helped to create a huge following in the antique market. What was once thought to be the world of stuffy and snobbish appraisers picking away at Chinese vases and other such oddities has now become a business that is quite intriguing to most people. Those who perhaps never before had an interest in antiques suddenly saw how much fun it could be to find out that an old afghan or piece of jewelry is actually worth thousands of dollars.
What has also helped everyday people to appreciate the world of antiques is that they see how items they never thought about as actually being antique, and certainly never considered as being valuable, can actually fetch quite a price at the right auction with the right buyer. Those who assumed that "antiques" only meant fancy furniture or Asian carvings had their eyes open to items such as early American folk art, different textiles including tablecloths and other linens, collectible bottles, and items such as these.
Quite probably buying and selling antiques that you have already attained a good deal of knowledge about or possibly a very keen interest in, can mean an business endeavor that is not only very enjoyable but also financially a good idea.
If you have been thinking about collectible antiques for profit but just havn't made up your mind as to which area of antiques you would like to specialize in, or you are just looking for a little variety to bring to your business why not look at Architectural Oddments?
Architectural Oddments
Items from older buildings are often unappreciated by those sent in to demolition those buildings, but to the collector there are many elements and items that are truly a part of the history of architecture.
Salvaging these items is actually a big business. Some antique stores specialize in this part of the industry alone and actually quite well.
While not every part of an older building is going to be valuable, many of the larger elements will be. These are purchased by those who have an interest in a particular form of architecture or history buffs that collect items from a particular time period.
Fireplace Mantels
Most fireplaces today have some sort of mantel or shelf over them so it's not as if this type of item is not to be found anywhere. But older fireplace mantels are very unique in that they were usually hand-carved and very often had details and carvings that were unique for the time period in which they were made. Many experts can tell the area in which the mantel was made just from the decorations on it.
The materials the mantels were made from have a lot to do with their value. English oak is one of the most expensive materials and mantels made from this wood usually do very well at auction. Others can be carved from marble or made from stone.
Along with mantels are fireplace screens and accessories. Many of the original items were made from solid brass and the screens were typically very ornate and artistic.
Doors And Hardware
As with fireplace mantels, many antique doors were hand carved from solid oak and other such materials. They too can say a lot about the time period in which they were made because of the decoration and design.
Many collectors use doors not really as doors but add a base and glass top and create a desk or table. This way the decoration can be appreciated at all times without the door being overused or damaged.
Doors can also be used as other pieces of furniture; some designers have gotten very creative and used them to make headboards for the bed or just as wall art.
The hardware used for the doors is also very valuable. This includes knobs, hinges, door knockers, and kick plates. These too were made of brass and are used as decorations, bookends, and so on.
Stained Glass Windows
Today's stained glass windows can be made with the help of machines whereas antique stained glass was made by hand. The decorations of the glass and the details can really tell a lot about the craftsperson and the time period in which he or she lived.
We often associate stained glass windows with churches and it's true that some of the best can be found on old churches but other buildings would also incorporate these items into their architecture as well.
Tiffany style is one of the most valuable of all the brands of stained glass and of course the older the window the more expensive it will be.
Finials
Finials are those decorative "knobs" or caps that you see on the tops of things such as wrought iron fences or even the tops of different pieces of furniture. While sometimes these items are actually a part of the architecture of design of an item, usually they are a separate part that is added on. This means that they can be loosened from that piece of furniture and sold as is.
These items are used by collectors today as all decoration or sconces, bookends, doorstops, and so on. They are usually very heavy and made of hand carved wood. Some were also made of iron.
One of the reasons they are so valued is because they are full of intricate carved details, which too tell a story of the time period and style of furniture to which they were attached.
Other Architecture Items
There are so many other architecture items that do well at auction that it's impossible to mention all of them. Tin ceiling tiles, chandeliers, tiles, bathroom fixtures, bathtubs, kitchen and bathroom sinks, stoves, weathervanes, window locks, staircases, iron grates, and just about anything else that can be taken from an older home or building can do well at auction. Buyers may be adding to a collection, may have an interest in a certain style of architecture, or may just appreciate the look of a certain pieces.
Deciding On Antiques
So if you've been thinking of entering the fun and exciting world of antiques, there should be nothing holding you back. Do some reading about what makes each different item valuable and become familiar with about how much people are now paying at auction for them. You will probably find that this is the most enjoyable business venture you've ever tried.
As the saying goes, someones trash is another persons treasure, so off you go and start 'hunting treasure'!
I need suggestions on opening an antique stopper top perfume bottle?
The stopper is a glass crystal which twists open. I've tried every scientific way I know of to open this. So I would like some suggestions?
It's an antique perfume which has never been opened. I'm not wanting to keep the bottle closed as I intend to use the perfume. I bought this on Ebay, and so far it appears to be in good condition.
I have a couple of ideas that might work. I mix perfumes and often use vintage bottles to store them; I've run across the problem before.
Running it under warm water sometimes works.
You can try using a salt and oil mixture where the stopper meets the neck of the bottle..sometimes the salt loosens any congealed perfume and the oil helps penetrate the bond between the stopper and the neck.
If that doesn't work and if the bottle is thick and in good shape, try putting it in the fridge overnight. If the bottle is fragile or really old, or the glass is thin, chilling it might break the neck, so only do this if it's a thick solid neck on the bottle.
If the neck is too thin, or the bottle is too nice to risk the fridge, try warning up a small damp towel in the microwave and wrapping it around the neck of the bottle for a few minutes. It may take several tries, but this usually works with most bottles..the moist heat often works well to loosen the joint.
Third Place in the Antiques Roadshow Top Ten Items
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