Nautical antiques can be regarded as a special treasure from under the sea floor as these are old items that were found on old ships. You can definitely regard them as a treasure under the sea, but not all the time because these products may come from ships of the old times such as historical cruise ships or an object from a royal ship. There are a lot of places where you can find nautical antiques, and what’s great for a collector is that they can even find these antiques for sale on land as well. It’s probably because there are others who are already doing the dirty work of retrieving these antique items unless you’re a wreck diver who also goes treasure hunting for a collection.
But whether you explore the deep sea or if you’re just a collector who’s willing to spend for a nautical antique, you should be familiar on the methods on how to determine if the antique is authentic. Remember that you are dealing with a large amount of money simply because antiques are often priced very high. Therefore, you may need to expect that the market for antiques may be a little shady because everyone can claim that they are selling antiques even if the pots were only designed to look like one.
That’s why appraisers are always available to assist you with identifying the status of the antique product. But that may cost high especially when you manage to get an expensive antique. That’s why it’s best for you to invest a bit of time to identify the different methods of appraising nautical antiques instead. Here are the following steps:
The Markings
Most of the products of the old times are known to have markings on it. Jewelry is the most common ones that have a marking, and these are obscurely placed. Some may be hidden in plain sight. Pottery, porcelain and a few glassware are also known to have unique markings that define its antiquity, and you can easily find those by looking at the bottom or its back area.
Writings and Signatures
On the other hand, silverware often have writings made of small symbols that are written on a small square. This writing identifies the place’s country where it was first made; some even show dates to find out how old it is. Certain antique furniture can be identified by checking out markings or etched writings inside its drawers or on the back and side parts of the product. It often shows the name of the company or person who crafted the furniture.
Look At The Glazing
Silverware and fine china are often glazed before it’s being sold at cruise ships. But if the product is quite old already, especially if it came from the underwater wreckages, then there is a good chance where the glazing is already gone. Antiques that don’t have glazing, with some irregularities such as cracks in it, then it’s a sign that you found an old treasure. So if you see a store that sells antique china with a good glaze on it, then don’t proceed in buying or listening to what the vendor has to say.
More Irregularities to Consider
Antique nautical vases and certain parts of a ship such as the steering wheel have a lot of irregularities if the antiques are already existing for a lot of years. That’s why a perfect-looking antique doesn’t actually mean that it’s preserved; they are probably rip-offs already. Irregularities often define the product’s antiquity. Raised bumps and seams on antique glass products such as telescope lenses often indicate a product’s old age. Scratches also count oftentimes and will always be a notable sign of antique products. That’s why any clean-looking “antiques” are fakes, even enthusiasts and collectors know that well as a basic tip.
The following will surely help you manage to gather a decent collection that you may be proud of someday. Sailors and other people who have a passion for sea and ships tend to collect these like precious jewels, or as a fine addition to your home. But it’s always best to understand the fact that antiques don’t look as good as new at all times. But they surely serve a memory that seemed to be a normal thing back in the days when the antiques were actually serving their purposes to the people of the past.
