by:
Miller, Judith

Publisher:
Bulfinch
Published:April 1, 2001
ISBN:0821227343
Format:Hardcover
Pages:224

Description: Amazon.com
To the inexperienced, buying antiques can be about as stressful as a trip to the dentist. How do you correctly identify antiques? How can you spot the genuine article and not be fooled by a fake? What is an appropriate price for the piece you want? In A Closer Look at Antiques, Judith Miller answers all those questions, plus a few more.

Miller, cofounder of the popular Miller's Antiques Price Guide and whose previous books include the bestselling Miller's Antiques Encyclopedia, begins with a handy guide to identifying different styles--including Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, Federal, Regency, Victorian, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, and Modernist. She notes the characteristics that define each style and offers detailed photographs to illustrate. The furniture timeline that follows helps put it all into perspective.

The rest of the book examines pieces in terms of styles, types, methods for determining authenticity, and evolution throughout history. "The Story of the Table," for instance, tells of the evolution of this ubiquitous piece of furniture, from a plank of wood resting on a trestle that served as a portable table in the Middle Ages through the 18th century's tripod tables to the large central dining tables that served prosperous middle-class families in the Victorian era. "Types of Chinese Ceramics" details the Celadon, Wucai, Qingbai, Blanc-de-Chine, Famille Verte, Doucai, Peachbloom, and Famille Rose ceramics found throughout China. Miller details the period in which each type was made and the distinctive characteristics of each.

Miller devotes sections to each of the major categories of antiques-- furniture, ceramics, silver, and glass--making this a truly comprehensive guide. Value codes are included for each of the antiques featured, serving as a rough guide to what one can expect to pay for a similar piece. A glossary of terms and an "A-Z of People and Places" are exceptionally handy reference tools. --Robin Donovan

Product Description:
Drawing upon her wealth of experience as a collector, lecturer, writer and television and internet commentator, Judith Miller has written the essential guide for antique lovers who want clear, no-nonsense advice on how to identify and value furniture, ceramics, silver, and glass. More than nine hundred illustrations and identification charts are included in this exceptional reference. The specially commissioned photographs go up-close, identifying the details professionals look for when they choose antiques, and the clear annotations show the main features of particular styles. This visual guide to identification, dating, and authentication of antiques is ideal for every collector.