Vintage China

Here are some more information for Vintage China:

Buying antique china to add to your collection of antiques is a great idea. Collecting antiques can be an expensive hobby but it is definitely worth the investment. This is why even if you would have to shell out a lot of cash for it, if collecting them can give you that sense of joy, then there's no reason why you wouldn't think about adding them to your collection.

You will realize you have an excellent hobby of collecting antiques when they are appraised higher than the amount that you have originally bought them for. However, a fetish is a fetish. When you are attached to things, you usually wouldn't want to get rid of them or sell them away even if you know they are already priced higher than the amount you have originally bought them. So, is that a bad thing or not?

When collecting antique china is part of your business, you are willing to learn everything there is to learn about antiques. Some information that you once thought to be dull and boring will suddenly become of interest to you. Below is a list of things that would be of paramount importance when you get yourself hooked into buying antiques:

1. Knowledge of history. When you are into buying or selling antiques, it is expected that you would have some idea about the history of the antiques in your possession. This is something that you would also like to do further research or inquiry about. With this, you are then willing to go out of your way in order to gain knowledge of the story behind such antiquities.

2. Age. We all know that for a thing to be considered antique, it should be at least a hundred years old. It takes skills and expertise to know the age of an antique. Somehow, it would be a little easier to do that if you have been collecting and reading more about antique china for quite some time.

3. You will know the techniques on how to handle antiques with care. One of the things that would interest you when you own antiques is on the best way to handle them safely. Antiques are good investments, which is why you also want to make sure they are well kept and secured; naturally because you didn't purchase them cheap.

4. You will find it important to determine a real antique from a fake one. When you want to invest your money on antiques, you would want to find out if they are real or not. Surely, you don't want your money invested on antiques only to find out that they were not actually antiques but vintage stuff. In this case, it is best to hire and appraiser for confirmation.

5. You will know the value of such antiquities. Whether you are selling or buying antiques, the knowledge of the current value of antiques will prove to be very important to you.

Every now and then, you would love to learn more information as you go about collecting antiques.

For the latest information about antique china, visit Boris Chainik's site at http://www.myantiquechinaonline.com.

Vintage Christmas Decorations

Whether you love over-the-top elegance, warm homespun charm, sleek modernism or campy fun, there's nothing like vintage Christmas decorations to make your holidays special.

You don't need a big budget or a huge collection of pricey antiques to bring a vintage touch to your holiday decorating. Though some authentic pieces from the era of your choice can definitely set a tone, you can fill your home with period charm, beauty, and fun without breaking the bank. There a world of reproduction ornaments from which to choose, and you can add your own hand-crafted touches at almost no cost at all.

Start by taking the little quiz below to determine what era to go for:

When I think of Christmas decorations, I think of
a. traditional grown-up elegance, with lots of baubles, bangles, and beads
b. homey, touchable, kid-friendly style with a natural touch
c. funny, campy, fantasy fun with a modern edge

My ideal Christmas tree would be decorated with
a. porcelain angels, beaded satin ornaments, velvet ribbon, shimmering pearls, and lace
b. handmade wooden ornaments, strings of popcorn, and personal mementos
c. candy, tinsel, bright glass balls, bubble lights, and cute character ornaments

I think the best colors for Christmas are
a. deep gem tones with loads of gleaming silver and gold
b. traditional red and green, with white accents and lots of natural wood tones
c. as bright as possible

My idea of a great Christmas gathering would be
a. a lavish, multi-course meal served on china and crystal
b. cocoa and cookies with close friends and family
c. a cocktail party

If your answers were mostly a's: Victorian Christmas Decorations are your perfect style. Lush, lavish, and downright decadently elegant, they're the epitome of holiday glamor. The "less is more" modern aesthetic is a million miles away from this regal, multi-layered look, so if you're a "more is more!" type of person, a Victorian theme is what you're looking for.

If your answers were mostly b's: the warm, family-oriented simplicity of homespun pioneer decorations are ideal for you. Some well-chosen handmade ornaments serve as accents to the natural beauty of live green pine boughs, colorful, fragrant fruit, and the glow of a crackling fire. The emphasis is all on the natural, the touchable, and the personal.

If your answers were mostly c's: The glitzy fun of mid-century modern decorations would suit you to a T. Bubble lights, cartoon character ornaments, and unapologetically artificial tinsel trees lit by revolving color wheels will whisk you to the stylish holidays of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

About the Author

Love vintage decorating themes, but don't have a big budget for buying pricey antique ornaments? No problem. Find our how you can create the look of any era, including the lavish luxury of Victorian Christmas decorations and jazzy retro Christmas style, without breaking the bank.

What does this mean on my tea cups (age/value)?

I collect china - antique, vintage, just about anything eye catching. I can't afford to buy expensive items, though, so mostly I look at flea markets, antiques fairs etc for something that I can swing.

Your cups must date from 1937 to 1952. "The Queen" would be George VI's Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother. H.M. Queen Mary died in March 1953, and before 1936 she herself was the "The Queen".

They are most unlikely to have been made during the war. After it, quality articles like this were exported, but were not available on the home market until some prosperity returned about 1950.

Les Jardins de Loïs, Beaune, Burgundy: where to stay
Abigail Butcher reviews Les Jardins de Lo?s, a luxury b & b with daily wine tasting sessions and a garden filled with fruit trees.

Thanks for visiting!