Featured Article

The Meissen Porcelain Manufactory
For more than 300 years the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory has been a central figure in European porcelain. It was at Meissen that the first true hard-paste porcelain was manufactured outside of China, and the story of that accomplishment has the high drama of fiction - all the more intriguing because it is true.

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Antiques and Collectibles Archive

What is Porcelain? - A Collector's Guide to the Craft
An introduction to porcelain for the collector. Includes information about the history of porcelain, the different types of porcelain (hard paste, soft paste, and bone), understanding glazing, and descriptions of the various methods of porcelain decoration.

Royal Doulton Figurines Value Guide
Artful, detailed, and manufactured to the highest standards, Royal Doulton figurines are among the most sought after by collectors.

The Roseville Pottery Company
Roseville Pottery is a perennial favorite among collectors. In the late 1800s, the company began producing rather utilitarian works such as stoneware and flower pots, but soon evolved its offerings to the quality art lines for which it is known.

Carnival Glass Value Guide
Prices for a wide range of collectible vintage and modern carnival glass.

Depression Glass Value Guide
Prices for a wide range of manufacturers, patterns and colors of collectible depression glass.

Sèvres Porcelain
Established during the heyday of the European quest to equal the much revered porcelains of China, the manufactory at Sevres has produced some of the world’s finest porcelain works. Originally lacking the techniques and raw materials to make hard paste porcelain, Sevres mastered soft paste techniques.

Collecting Antique Clocks and Watches
Information for collectors of antique clocks and watches. Includes a history of clock and watchmaking, an overview of styles, and important terminology.

Eli Terry, American Entrepreneur
Known as the founder of the American clock industry, entrepreneur and inventor Eli Terry brought the concepts of mass production to clock making. His efforts ushered in the industrial revolution while securing the young country's role as the leader in clock manufacture for generation to come.

Railroad Pocket Watches
Few images are more iconic of the golden age of American railroading than that of the train conductor dutifully checking his pocket watch. This collector's guide to the railroad pocket watch gives a history of these fascinating collectibles, along with information on railway watch standards, what to look for in a watch, and how to value it.

History of Ansonia Clocks
The clocks of the Ansonia Clock company, one of the foremost 19th century American clock manufacturers, are known all over the world for their style and craftsmanship. Ansonia clocks are very popular with collectors, but with millions having been produced many clocks are quite accessible.

Care and Restoration of Vintage and Antiquarian Books
The essentials of book conservation and restoration. Advice on storage and handling of books, and tips on seeking professional book restoration.

Collecting Antique Furniture
Of all the collectible antiques, the broad category of furniture is perhaps the most widely held and most satisfying. Frequently handed down through generations, the various chairs, tables, cabinets and other pieces are often in use, adding character and constancy to our daily lives. This guide includes an overview of the significant styles and historical periods, and other important information for collectors.

Antique Furniture Styles - Chippendale
Thomas Chippendale created some of the most famous and copied styles in the history of furniture. This guide presents the historical context of Chippendale’s work and provides an overview of his stylistic elements for the collector.

Antique Furniture Styles - Hepplewhite
Little is known about George Hepplewhite, but the Hepplewhite legacy in furniture design established in the book The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide has had a profound and lasting influence.

Antique Furniture Styles - Sheraton
Thomas Sheraton was one of the most influential English designers of the 18th century. The technical and artistic expertise found in his publication The Cabinet-Makers and Upholsterer's Drawing Book has left a lasting impression on the furniture craft.

Antique Furniture Care and Restoration
Proper care of antique furniture is an art and science unto itself. Made primarily of wood, metal and upholstery, most pieces will requires some regimen of care to maintain their integrity and avoid costly restoration work further down the road. Here we’ll review some of the basics of routine furniture care as well as guidance for those times when you need to call in a professional.

Collecting Antique Jewelry
Embodying the wealth and treasure of bygone days, the antique jewelry pieces available today include some of the world's most valuable artifacts. Includes a history of jewelry making, an overview of the major historical periods, and a glossary of antique jewelry terminology.

The Charm of Victorian Jewelry
From draping necklaces of glittering garnets, to sweet, sentimental seed pearl lockets, Victorian jewelry continues to charm collectors and jewelry buyers with a sentimental streak. The jewelry of this time is romantic, sentimental and often steeped in symbolism, with fashions evolving rapidly as industrialization simultaneously influenced both the manufacture of jewelry and the societal roles of men and women.

The Jewelry of Rene Lalique
In the late 1800’s, Rene Lalique burst onto the jewelry-making scene at the perfect time; his vision, his imagination, and his creative flair were a perfect complement to the spirit of the Art Nouveau movement, and by the turn of the century Lalique had established himself as a dominant force in the Art Nouveau style of jewelry design.

American Art Nouveau Glass - Louis Comfort Tiffany
The name of Louis Comfort Tiffany is nearly synonymous with American Art Nouveau glass. His artistry, technical innovation, and business acumen combined to make him a leader in the world of art glass – frequently imitated but never equaled.

American Art Nouveau Glass - The Steuben Glass Works
In the first decades of the 20th century, the Steuben Glass Works produced some of the great collectibles of the American interpretation of Art Nouveau. The early Steuben design styles are associated with Frederick Carder an artist and glassmaker who led the firm between 1903 and 1932. Typically referred to as the Carder Period, the colorful wares that Steuben produced in this time are very distinct from later Steuben pieces and are now highly prized by collectors.

Antique and Vintage Perfume Bottles
For collectors of glass and porcelain, antique perfume bottles hold a delicate refinement that is hard to equal. Some of the world’s most famous glass manufacturers have produced perfume bottles incorporating their most innovative techniques and signature patterns.

Collecting Carnival Glass
An inexpensive, mass produced imitation of a popular art glass style, these pieces were often given away as prizes and premiums during the early years of the 20th century and it is from this legacy that the term carnival glass is derived. It is imbued with an iridescent sheen which reflects light and gives the glass a shimmer with a metallic tinge.

Pirated Glassware that Collectors Want to Own
The 1996 discovery of what is believed to be the wreckage of Blackbeard’s ship Queen Anne’s Revenge, is providing historians and collectors new information about the fragile and transparent objects that came onto the North American Continent before arrival of the first piece of cut glass.

Collecting Antique Glass
Valuable tips for new and experienced collectors alike on such topics as what collectors value, how to care for glass, and how to spot fakes and forgeries.

Glass – A Collector’s Guide to the History and Craft
Throughout much of history glass has been a precious commodity; as valuable as gemstones, sought by the wealthy and powerful, and the secrets of its manufacture closely guarded. This overview for collectors provides valuable insight into how glass is made and important milestones in the history of the craft.

Antique Glass – A Survey of Italian, French, German, English and American Influences
An overview of some of the glass producing regions most popular among collectors. Provides information on stylistic and technical contributions as well as significant manufactures and artists.

The Franklin Mint Collectibles Value Guide
Current prices, pictures, descriptions, and other information for Franklin Mint collectibles. Features figurines, plates, die cast models, pewter, coins and more.

The Antiques, Collectibles, and Kitsch Value Guide

Wondering what your treasures are worth? Our guides are loaded with information to help with identification, history, and pricing

Abingdon, Adams, Adderley, Akro Agate, Artesania Rinconada
Avon, Aynsley China, Bauer Pottery, Beswick, Blue Ridge Southern Potteries, Boehm, Boyds Bears
Bradford Exchange, Burton & Burton, Carl Thieme Dresden, Ceramic Arts Studio, Churchill, Coalport, Crown Ducal
Danbury Mint, David Winter, Flambro, Florence Ceramics, Franciscan, Gerold, Goebel
Hamilton Collection, Hammersley, Harbour Lights
Haviland, Herend, Homco, Homer Laughlin, Hummel, Jeannette Glass
Lefton
Lenox, Lladro, L.E. Smith, Marzi and Remy, Napco, Paden City
Precious Moments, Rosenthal, Red Wing, Relpo, Royal Albert, Royal Bayreuth, Royal China, Royal Copenhagen, and Sadler
Spode, Stangl, Taylor Smith and Taylor, Thomas Kinkade, Vernon Kilns, Villeroy and Boch, Wade, and Wedgwood