As you read this, you are probably interested in purchasing some Art & Crafts products. If that’s the case, please read on to learn more about what you need to know before buying Art & Crafts products.
Let us begin by saying we’re not here to sway your thoughts one way or another – we want you to have all the information you need before making a purchase.
We’ll cover the ever-important questions of who makes it, how old it is, what’s included and where can I buy it?
There are many ways an individual may acquire vintage Art & Crafts products. People sell their private collections on eBay, Etsy, or even garage sales. It is common practice for individuals to purchase items from auctions that were either found by accident or acquired at lower prices with no proof of authenticity – hence why they are sold so cheaply.
On the other hand, reputable dealers take great care in researching on each item they source and sell. They also provide full disclosure of their research findings alongside descriptions of the items they sell.
Who’s to say whether an individual is telling the truth about their product or not? It might be difficult to believe that strangers on the internet may lie, but it is certainly something you should consider when buying Art & Crafts products off any website.
With both eBay and Etsy, all sales are considered final – there’s no way of knowing who made what you’re purchasing or how old it is – just like with garage sales.
Another process individuals may use to acquire these products is ‘bootlegging.’ Bootlegging typically involves taking authentic vintage pieces and reproducing them with cheaper materials. This process results in lower quality products that are often mass-produced and chromed, painted, or ‘distressed’ to appear older than they are – thus the term ‘fake antiques.’
How can you know whether you’re buying an original vintage piece or a bootleg? There’s not always a surefire way of knowing for certain; it will depend on the individual. If there is any doubt about authenticity, do not purchase the item. It may be difficult to walk away from something you want, but remember; if you purchase anything else (car parts) from another person’s private collection, don’t expect it to be new and unused!
The next thing you might want to think about is how old an item is.
All we can say for sure on the subject of age is that it’s older than you! But seriously…
Many people, in particular eBay and Etsy sellers who are not dealers themselves, will list their items as ‘antique’ when, in fact, they are merely vintage – which means the article has recently become old enough to be called antique! It can be easy to overlook this detail when only viewing pictures online but keep in mind that just because an item isn’t labeled ‘vintage’ doesn’t mean it isn’t.
Even if it’s newer than 100 years old (which many Art & Crafts products are), that doesn’t mean it’s new. It may have been made only recently, but it can still be vintage if the materials are authentic. For example, an individual may buy the original c1900s Art Nouveau cabinet by Duret et Fils and paint it blue – that doesn’t make it new!
There’s no way of knowing for sure unless you meet the maker or dealer in person, but here are some tips to distinguish between true vintage pieces and reproductions:
Look out for stamps or signatures on furniture, which will indicate how old it possibly could be (it’s worth noting, however, that not all pieces will feature these.)
Reproductions tend to sit flat against the wall, whereas genuine vintage pieces are designed to ‘stand away from the wall slightly.
Authentic antique furniture is heavier than reproductions because they are made with solid, not veneer wood.
Look out for painted finishes that may appear chipped or aged – this is a surefire giveaway that it’s not original!
We hope this article has helped you understand what to look out for when buying Art & Crafts products online. Thanks so much for reading, and don’t forget to share it with others.