Jun
A curio item is defined as a unique and rare object, while an antique is a collectible item that is, at the very least, a century old.
Collecting curios dates back to the end of the Middle ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. In the early days, the elite displayed their curio collections in open rooms, which was ‘in vogue’ for almost a century and a half. The trend was a past-time of the rich who could afford traveling and to purchase curios on their travels.
Curio cabinets made an entry in the 16th century. They became the standard way to display art, porcelain figurines, and other items such as taxidermy in the 18th century.
Investment in Curio Antiques
Investing in curio antiques is tangible, and you can see where your money is. It is a different kind of investing, but there is proof that curio antiques have a much higher ROI (return on investment). This is an investment not affected by market volatility or inflation rates.
The value of curio antiques only rises over time as they become rarer and older. Your collectibles will never lose value, but instead, keep appreciating.
Investments are a means to an end, eg; making money. However, curio antiques add value to your home, and you can sell them if you ever need to.
How to Buy Curio Antiques
Nowadays, digitalization has made things much easier. In the past, curio antique collectors spent time and effort hunting for rare curio antiques for sale. Today, you can buy curio antiques online. To search for items to buy, look for a reputable curio antiques dealer.
How to Value a Curio Antique
- To avoid buying fake collectibles, you need to be very hands-on. Any reputable dealer has a curio antiques website where they display photos and prices of items. Generally, you look out for:
● Item condition
The item should be in good condition. Value determinants include cracks, chips, stains, missing pieces, etc. These prevent the item from being labelled as mint condition.
● Rarity
Some rare curio items may be flawed but still worth a significant amount.If the item is very rare and flawed, it will still cost more than a mint condition, but not a rare item.
● Age
Age does not necessarily make something valuable, but the demand does. Some items may be over a century old but not in high demand. An item may be less than a hundred years old, but every collector wants it.
● Authenticity
If an item is authentic, like an heirloom that has been in a family for generations, it’s an authentic antique. Authenticate an item before buying, such as looking for signs of wear and tear, signatures and marks discrepancies, etc. For pottery, do a black light test to check for new paint, repairs, or cracks. New paint fluoresces under black light.
Conclusion
Buying a curio antique for your curio cabinet is much easier today. Ensure you buy from reputable dealers who have a wide selection to choose from- this proves that they truly are dealers in curio and have been in the business for a long time. All the same, it is wise to get a professional to appraise anything before you buy.
It is a significant investment; thus, due diligence is called for.
Shop from a wide selection of antique curio and curio items from our website.
