Tips for shopping antiques festival
Saturday, October 10, 1998BY IRENE AUSTIN GILLIS
Enquirer contributor
An antiques show, particularly of the caliber of the Cincinnati Antiques Festival next weekend at the Sharonville Convention Center, is a wonderful opportunity to find many high quality dealers under one roof.
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FESTIVAL EVENTS
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What: Cincinnati Antiques Festival.
When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. next Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18.
Where: Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road. Cost: $8 (unlimited visits).
Information: 636-8907.
Miscellaneous: Preview party 6-9 p.m. Thursday, $80 per person (includes cocktail buffet and unlimited festival admission).
Speakers: 10:30 a.m. Friday, New York designer Bunny Williams and 1 p.m. Friday, Southern Accents contributing editor George Read. Cost: $35 for one lecture, box lunch and festival admission; $50 for both lectures, lunch and admission.
Collectors' Party, 6 p.m. next Saturday, Cost: $50, includes festival admission, dinner and dancing on the veranda to Clyde Brown.
Reservations required for special events: 636-8907. Deadline: Wednesday.
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There are two ways to visit a good antiques show. Obviously, it can be a buying trip, but making a visit to the show simply a fact-finding session can be worthwhile, too.
With an array of fine furniture, porcelains, silver and fine art from some of the country's most reputable dealers, the Cincinnati Antiques Festival will offer a good opportunity to learn. Talk to dealers, ask lots of questions. Identify pieces you like. Then do some homework on what you saw and liked.
If you will be visiting the antiques show to buy, do homework in advance. And keep in mind:
Dealers have a bias to sell. Don't be pushed into buying anything without researching it, particularly if it is expensive.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Respectable dealers will give you as much time and information as you need.
Good questions include:
Can the dealer document the history of a piece's ownership (in antique terms, this is known as "provenance"). If there is a claim of it being owned by someone famous, or if it has some historical significance, it could dramatically influence its value.
Is the piece of furniture married? This means, is there a union of two pieces not originally made together. For example, a table that has the top replaced, even if it is of the same vintage, will have a lesser value than one that remains exactly as it was when crafted.
Can the dealer give written identification of a piece's authenticity. If a dealer won't back up in writing the information he is claiming, I would question his word.
What, if any, restoration work has been done to the piece? If a good restorer has done the work, it may not be discernible to the eye. Even a good quality restoration impacts the value of a piece. If the piece has any value, the restoration should be documented.
Pin down the dealer to exactly what restoration work took place and who did it. Beware of dealers who claim to be dealers, restorers and appraisers.
If you have any concerns about possible restoration work on artwork, an ultra violet light will identify these areas. A buyer has every right to request such an inspection.
What does the dealer collect? If he collects what he sells, he likely will be more particular about the quality of the pieces he sells.
What are a dealer's return or warranty policies? Will he put these in writing?
Once you find a piece you like enough to buy:
Inspect the piece well. Move it, open drawers, take off lids, look underneath and behind. I carry a small flashlight so I can see into dark corners. (But handle pieces with care; don't damage anything.)
Don't be afraid to ask the dealer if you can bring in an independent appraiser to view the piece before you make a decision, especially if it is expensive.
Know the value range of what you are buying. If you don't, go away and do some research.
Use the criteria of "good, better, best" when judging the condition and quality of a piece. Do not compromise on the condition and quality of the workmanship. Without fail, this impacts a piece's ultimate value.
Be careful if a deal sounds too good. Be skeptical of statements such as "the last remaining original in good condition" or "no other like it in existence." It may be true, but documentation and an independent appraisal should confirm this for you.
Learn to trust your instincts. Intuition usually is a good guide. I always advise buying with passion -- coupled with a little caution and a lot of homework.
Irene Austin Gillis, president of Worth & Co. in Symmes Township, is an accredited senior appraiser with American Society of Appraisers and a certified member of Appraisers Association of America.
Make friends with dealers
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Tips for shopping antiques festival
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