Antique hardware or antique reproduction hardware refers to time period specific door, window, cabinet, furniture or other home hardware pieces. Depending on the era, hardware was (and still is) produced in a wide variety of materials including forged or cast iron, solid brass, pewter, bronze, steel, or even glass. Popularity of designs and availability of materials varied during different architectural periods. For example Colonial Era hardware was traditionally simple in design and made of cast or forged iron, while other Victorian era used highly ornate pieces cast from solid brass and were used as much for their aesthetic qualities as their functionality in the home.
Antique or reproduction antique hardware for the home is a wonderful way to add elegance to any room, door, or piece of furniture. The wide variety of materials, designs and finishes gives you a chance to refurbish old pieces or add a beautiful finishing touch to new additions to your home. While antique hardware may be more limited in availability, reproduction antique hardware is beautifully hand cast and finished to fit your design needs. Original designs are recast to maintain all the detail of the original designs and frequently available in a wider variety of finishes including Polished Brass, Antique Brass, Polished Chrome, Satin Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze.
Reproduction antique hardware is produced today - allowing you to incorporate their patterns in your doors, windows, kitchen cabinets and more. It is a simple way to introduce a common theme to your house. Antique or reproduction antique hardware can transform a boring home into a showplace - but be sure to follow a few simple steps. First, remember that antique hardware (especially doorknob sets) may not be designed to work in modern doors. Most reproduction doorknob sets are designed to fit modern doors while still using traditional historic designs. Second, replace older or worn pieces throughout your home with the same or similar period pieces to help tie the look together for you. Note: The use of a common theme will help tie the look together for you. You can consult decorating magazines for assistance or ask an interior decorator for help as well.
Antique or reproduction antique hardware is readily available online. Research period specific pieces and be sure to ask questions. When working with antique or reproduction hardware it is important to remember that different shapes and combinations will work to tie themselves together nicely. A large collection of antique reproduction hardware is available online through LookInTheAttic & Company - they are experts who can reproduce most any hardware and they also offer free design assistance and help.
Kohn Coleman born in Michigan - received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 2000. He is president of LookInTheAttic & Company online at http://www.LookInTheAttic.com and authors numerous articles and publications on historical architecture.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kohn_Coleman
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2652085
Wednesday 25 January 2012
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Antique Pottery Reproductions
A Brief History
Antique reproductions have abounded on the market for as many years as there have been antiques. As early as the 1960's, reproductions of old pattern glass examples from the late 1800's started to appear in antique shops, markets and shows. This early onset of reproductions spurred a niche market in the Antiques and Collectibles field.
What occurred in the 1960's spawned an incredible growth in reproductions not only in the glass markets but also in almost all specialty antique and collectible markets including cast iron and pottery. In the early 1970's, the Merritt family headed by Mary and Bob Merritt started one of the longest running reproduction wholesalers in the USA, which later through a family dispute branched off into one of the most successful business ventures in the Antique reproduction field, known as Fred & Dottie's, Inc.
Up until the late 1970's Merritts enjoyed somewhat of a monopoly until Fred Burkholder (son of Mary Merritt) and Dottie (Fred's wife), both minority shareholders, broke away from Merritt's after a bitter family dispute. Fred and Dottie Burkholder formed Fred & Dottie's, Inc. and began their own reproduction wholesale business just a few miles down the road from their former partners in business.
Within a few years, the rivals were ferociously competing as more Reproduction wholesalers began to spring up throughout the USA. Ralph Lussino and his brother, John, friends and former customers of the Burkholder's and Merritts threw their 'hat in the ring' and formed Castle Antiques and Reproductions.
All three of these Reproduction wholesalers are still in Business as of this writing, although Castle is in the process of liquidating their entire inventory and closing in late 2008.
Glassware reproductions of the late 1800's were extremely popular in the 1960's and 1970's, but began to slide in popularity, giving way to depression era glassware reproductions in the 1980's. These trends were set primarily by the demand of the public to decorate with the hottest trend of that time. While the 1980's and early 1990's saw a dramatic increase in demand for depression-era glassware, the reproduction markets responded with 100's of patterns of depression-era glassware. As time went on, the late 1990's saw a trend toward art pottery of the 1950's, which stimulated a growth of reproductions from the Weller, McCoy, Roseville and Majolica potters. The most popular of all these companies was the McCoy Pottery Company, mainly because it was the most recognizable, the most affordable and the most diverse of all the potters of the 1950's.
In 1997 an American manufacturer had set out to reproduce some of the most popular McCoy patterns, successfully manufacturing a line of over 110 pieces including cookie jars, vases, creamers, bowls, black memorabilia, and planters. Up until this time, an overwhelming majority of reproductions were manufactured in China, Mexico, India, Taiwan and England. This would be the only USA manufacturer of reproduction pottery and the only company permitted to use the USA logo on all their pottery. (Foreign imports are not permitted by law to put USA on their items in accordance with US Customs Federal law)
Why Reproductions?
•Demand
Designers and decorators want to enhance their client's homes and business', but are not able to find an available supply of the types of antiques they need. Collectors wishing to enhance their collection may search for years for that one rare 'missing piece' in their collection. There is a short supply of original antiques in the marketplace, and that supply shrinks every day as more people buy up original antiques.
•Affordability
Imagine buying an original tiffany lamp for $4500 or you could choose a reproduction which has the same look and most times better quality at a fraction of the cost ($300-$500). You could decorate one room with an original, or your entire house with reproductions. Designers and decorators in the last decade have been using reproductions to decorate client's homes and business' because it is more affordable and the insurance replacement cost premium is much less. The only one who really knows that beautiful 'Antique' is not an original is you!
•The 'LOOK'
When decorating, we all want to give our visitors, friends and clients the impression of wealth and 'we are doing well' attitude. What better way to stretch your decorating budget, then to display beautiful antique reproductions throughout your home or business? It just screams, "I am doing well! Look at my beautiful collection!" We all desire that LOOK, the look that we are keeping up with the " Jones's' ", the look that exudes and exemplifies the epitome of wealth.
•Memories
Remember when...? A question you have probably asked many times in your life, pondering the good old days or remembering that favorite vase mom or grandma always had on the mantle, or the cookie jar she had in the kitchen. It brings back the "good OLE' days" when you see grandma's cookie jar, you remember her baking your favorite chocolate chip cookies and you can almost taste them again.
Our lives are filled with memories that bring back the pleasant times of our lives as we grew up. Having available reproductions and easily being able to acquire them brings back a rush of memories, giving us a feeling of euphoria and contentment.
When you combine the demand, the affordability, the 'look' and the memories, you can see why antique reproductions are such an integral part of our lives. If you have been inspired by this article to reminisce, or you want to decorate your home or business with beautiful antique reproduction pottery, take a moment and visit the links below.
Antique Pottery Reproductions
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Stein
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1574993
Antique reproductions have abounded on the market for as many years as there have been antiques. As early as the 1960's, reproductions of old pattern glass examples from the late 1800's started to appear in antique shops, markets and shows. This early onset of reproductions spurred a niche market in the Antiques and Collectibles field.
What occurred in the 1960's spawned an incredible growth in reproductions not only in the glass markets but also in almost all specialty antique and collectible markets including cast iron and pottery. In the early 1970's, the Merritt family headed by Mary and Bob Merritt started one of the longest running reproduction wholesalers in the USA, which later through a family dispute branched off into one of the most successful business ventures in the Antique reproduction field, known as Fred & Dottie's, Inc.
Up until the late 1970's Merritts enjoyed somewhat of a monopoly until Fred Burkholder (son of Mary Merritt) and Dottie (Fred's wife), both minority shareholders, broke away from Merritt's after a bitter family dispute. Fred and Dottie Burkholder formed Fred & Dottie's, Inc. and began their own reproduction wholesale business just a few miles down the road from their former partners in business.
Within a few years, the rivals were ferociously competing as more Reproduction wholesalers began to spring up throughout the USA. Ralph Lussino and his brother, John, friends and former customers of the Burkholder's and Merritts threw their 'hat in the ring' and formed Castle Antiques and Reproductions.
All three of these Reproduction wholesalers are still in Business as of this writing, although Castle is in the process of liquidating their entire inventory and closing in late 2008.
Glassware reproductions of the late 1800's were extremely popular in the 1960's and 1970's, but began to slide in popularity, giving way to depression era glassware reproductions in the 1980's. These trends were set primarily by the demand of the public to decorate with the hottest trend of that time. While the 1980's and early 1990's saw a dramatic increase in demand for depression-era glassware, the reproduction markets responded with 100's of patterns of depression-era glassware. As time went on, the late 1990's saw a trend toward art pottery of the 1950's, which stimulated a growth of reproductions from the Weller, McCoy, Roseville and Majolica potters. The most popular of all these companies was the McCoy Pottery Company, mainly because it was the most recognizable, the most affordable and the most diverse of all the potters of the 1950's.
In 1997 an American manufacturer had set out to reproduce some of the most popular McCoy patterns, successfully manufacturing a line of over 110 pieces including cookie jars, vases, creamers, bowls, black memorabilia, and planters. Up until this time, an overwhelming majority of reproductions were manufactured in China, Mexico, India, Taiwan and England. This would be the only USA manufacturer of reproduction pottery and the only company permitted to use the USA logo on all their pottery. (Foreign imports are not permitted by law to put USA on their items in accordance with US Customs Federal law)
Why Reproductions?
•Demand
Designers and decorators want to enhance their client's homes and business', but are not able to find an available supply of the types of antiques they need. Collectors wishing to enhance their collection may search for years for that one rare 'missing piece' in their collection. There is a short supply of original antiques in the marketplace, and that supply shrinks every day as more people buy up original antiques.
•Affordability
Imagine buying an original tiffany lamp for $4500 or you could choose a reproduction which has the same look and most times better quality at a fraction of the cost ($300-$500). You could decorate one room with an original, or your entire house with reproductions. Designers and decorators in the last decade have been using reproductions to decorate client's homes and business' because it is more affordable and the insurance replacement cost premium is much less. The only one who really knows that beautiful 'Antique' is not an original is you!
•The 'LOOK'
When decorating, we all want to give our visitors, friends and clients the impression of wealth and 'we are doing well' attitude. What better way to stretch your decorating budget, then to display beautiful antique reproductions throughout your home or business? It just screams, "I am doing well! Look at my beautiful collection!" We all desire that LOOK, the look that we are keeping up with the " Jones's' ", the look that exudes and exemplifies the epitome of wealth.
•Memories
Remember when...? A question you have probably asked many times in your life, pondering the good old days or remembering that favorite vase mom or grandma always had on the mantle, or the cookie jar she had in the kitchen. It brings back the "good OLE' days" when you see grandma's cookie jar, you remember her baking your favorite chocolate chip cookies and you can almost taste them again.
Our lives are filled with memories that bring back the pleasant times of our lives as we grew up. Having available reproductions and easily being able to acquire them brings back a rush of memories, giving us a feeling of euphoria and contentment.
When you combine the demand, the affordability, the 'look' and the memories, you can see why antique reproductions are such an integral part of our lives. If you have been inspired by this article to reminisce, or you want to decorate your home or business with beautiful antique reproduction pottery, take a moment and visit the links below.
Antique Pottery Reproductions
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Stein
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1574993
Monday 23 January 2012
Antique Jewellery - Real Or Reproduction
Behold that gorgeous antique brooch you've been staring at for the last few days on the internet! It's obviously Art Nouveau... isn't it?
It's often very difficult to distinguish from a genuine antique jewellery piece and a good reproduction. Here are some key points that you should bear in mind before you shop and pay for what you think is a Victorian piece of jewellery only to find out that it's a clever reproduction.
Being able to identify the findings that are attached to the jewellery for function rather than design is sometimes a good way to determine age, although findings can often have been altered at a later date. Some examples of "findings" are the hinges, clasps and catches on the piece. The Victorian era featured tube hinges until a more streamlined design was introduced in the later part of the era. Other types of hinges such as roll over, C shaped and safety pin types evolved over the years. A lobster catch will not be on a piece of authentic antique jewellery.
The colours and metals changed in style through the years. The art deco period featured bright primary colours while the Victorian era did not. Being able to identify the cut of the stone and the type of stone in the piece will also help in dating the piece. Modern brilliant cut diamonds, for example, were not introduced to the market until the early 20th century.
Aluminium, platinum, pot metal and copper have been the popular metals in the 20th century. White gold for example, although first introduced at the turn of the 1900s, wasn't in wide circulation until about 1920 when it was used as a cheaper alternative to platinum. As another example, 15 carat gold was a British Empire gold standard until it was discontinued in 1932 and it was commonly used in Victorian jewellery.
But often in Victorian times there was more emphasis on the workmanship and beauty of the item than on the quality of materials used. Pinchbeck for example, an alloy of zinc and copper, was a respectable alternative to gold in the Victorian era but is commonly found at the cheaper end of the market today when so much importance is placed on jewellery being made of gold or platinum.
Feeling the weight of the piece can also help identify its age but, if you're buying online, ask the seller how much it weighs. A brooch from the Victorian era can look a lot heavier than one that was reproduced in recent years but often a large piece was made reasonably light so that it didn't pull on the wearer's clothing. Check also to see if jewels are glued in and if the piece is hand made or the product of a mould.
A registration mark on a piece will give you an accurate time frame as will hallmarks. A makers mark or label is another step in identification. There are plenty of guides and forums available online to help identify hallmarks.
Lastly, try to find a picture of the item to compare with the piece in question. Often pictures are available in books, such as Carter's Antiques Guide (Australia), or online. Obviously, some of these checks are trickier to use if you're buying online but if the piece is not as described when you receive it (ie. fake), then you are entitled to a full refund. Your local Trading Standards or Fair Trading agency should help you out in the event of any difficulties in this.
Do your homework. Check the seller's credentials and use the internet for clues and, above all, ask lots of questions!
Based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, Rebecca works for David Frith Jewellery - handmade jewellery designer for clients all over the world. Specialist also in antique jewellery restoration. For affordable antique jewellery online visit => http://www.davidfrithjewellery.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Leeson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4337355
It's often very difficult to distinguish from a genuine antique jewellery piece and a good reproduction. Here are some key points that you should bear in mind before you shop and pay for what you think is a Victorian piece of jewellery only to find out that it's a clever reproduction.
Being able to identify the findings that are attached to the jewellery for function rather than design is sometimes a good way to determine age, although findings can often have been altered at a later date. Some examples of "findings" are the hinges, clasps and catches on the piece. The Victorian era featured tube hinges until a more streamlined design was introduced in the later part of the era. Other types of hinges such as roll over, C shaped and safety pin types evolved over the years. A lobster catch will not be on a piece of authentic antique jewellery.
The colours and metals changed in style through the years. The art deco period featured bright primary colours while the Victorian era did not. Being able to identify the cut of the stone and the type of stone in the piece will also help in dating the piece. Modern brilliant cut diamonds, for example, were not introduced to the market until the early 20th century.
Aluminium, platinum, pot metal and copper have been the popular metals in the 20th century. White gold for example, although first introduced at the turn of the 1900s, wasn't in wide circulation until about 1920 when it was used as a cheaper alternative to platinum. As another example, 15 carat gold was a British Empire gold standard until it was discontinued in 1932 and it was commonly used in Victorian jewellery.
But often in Victorian times there was more emphasis on the workmanship and beauty of the item than on the quality of materials used. Pinchbeck for example, an alloy of zinc and copper, was a respectable alternative to gold in the Victorian era but is commonly found at the cheaper end of the market today when so much importance is placed on jewellery being made of gold or platinum.
Feeling the weight of the piece can also help identify its age but, if you're buying online, ask the seller how much it weighs. A brooch from the Victorian era can look a lot heavier than one that was reproduced in recent years but often a large piece was made reasonably light so that it didn't pull on the wearer's clothing. Check also to see if jewels are glued in and if the piece is hand made or the product of a mould.
A registration mark on a piece will give you an accurate time frame as will hallmarks. A makers mark or label is another step in identification. There are plenty of guides and forums available online to help identify hallmarks.
Lastly, try to find a picture of the item to compare with the piece in question. Often pictures are available in books, such as Carter's Antiques Guide (Australia), or online. Obviously, some of these checks are trickier to use if you're buying online but if the piece is not as described when you receive it (ie. fake), then you are entitled to a full refund. Your local Trading Standards or Fair Trading agency should help you out in the event of any difficulties in this.
Do your homework. Check the seller's credentials and use the internet for clues and, above all, ask lots of questions!
Based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, Rebecca works for David Frith Jewellery - handmade jewellery designer for clients all over the world. Specialist also in antique jewellery restoration. For affordable antique jewellery online visit => http://www.davidfrithjewellery.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Leeson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4337355
Sunday 22 January 2012
Saturday 21 January 2012
Friday 20 January 2012
Thursday 19 January 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)