All About Antiques
Antique identification, valuation, and collecting reference.
Popular Guides
Antique Marks & Signatures: Complete Identification Guide
Complete guide to decoding maker marks on silver, porcelain, glass and furniture.
Antique Furniture Periods Chart (1600–1940)
Visual timeline of furniture styles with identification pictures.
Pewter vs Silver: 3 Simple Ways to Tell the Difference
Quick visual and magnet tests for identifying metal at home.
Best Online Antique Appraisal Sites (2026 Reviews)
Honest comparison of Mearto, WorthPoint and other appraisal services.
Best Antique Identifier Apps 2026: Head-to-Head Comparison
5 apps tested side-by-side for accuracy, speed and features.
Online Antique Valuation Tools for Collectors
Free digital resources to research and price your antique items.
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Authenticating antique signs: porcelain vs. modern reproductions
Read more: Authenticating antique signs: porcelain vs. modern reproductionsAuthenticate antique porcelain signs by checking layered color edges, original brass grommets, and natural shelf wear—repros miss all three. Genuine pre-1960 signs show stovepipe-fired enamel layers, steel substrates 18-22 gauge thick, and maker stamps from Ingram-Richardson, Baltimore Enamel Novelty, or Burdick. Modern reproductions print on thin sheet metal with screen-printed or vinyl graphics that crack…
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20th-century modern glass marks: Murano, Scandinavian & American
Read more: 20th-century modern glass marks: Murano, Scandinavian & American20th-century glass marks split three ways: Murano paper foils and acid stamps, Scandinavian engraved signatures with model numbers, and American studio signatures with dates. Knowing which format to expect narrows the maker before you read a single letter.
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Antique value calculator: how experts estimate a price range
Read more: Antique value calculator: how experts estimate a price rangeAn antique value calculator estimates price by combining maker marks, condition, rarity, and recent auction comps within a 15-20% market range. Experts call this triangulation. The math is less mysterious than auction houses make it sound.
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Vintage glass shoes: identification and value guide
Read more: Vintage glass shoes: identification and value guideVintage glass shoes from Fenton, Boyd, and Degenhart can fetch $50-$400+; rare colors, maker marks, and pattern detail decide their true value. Most common pressed-glass slippers run $15-$60, but slag, carnival, and signed pieces climb fast.
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Antique signature identification: from artists to silversmiths
Read more: Antique signature identification: from artists to silversmithsAntique signature identification starts with location, style, and context — where the mark sits, how it was applied, and what era it matches.
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Edwardian furniture characteristics: what defines the period
Read more: Edwardian furniture characteristics: what defines the periodEdwardian furniture (1901–1910) is defined by lighter woods, slender proportions, satinwood inlay, and revival styles drawn from Sheraton and Adam.
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Free vs paid antique identification apps: which is worth it?
Read more: Free vs paid antique identification apps: which is worth it?The smarter buy is a hybrid. Free antique identification apps cover basics. Paid tiers add expert accuracy, provenance checks, and valuations.
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US silver hallmarks by state: makers reference map
Read more: US silver hallmarks by state: makers reference mapThe US silver hallmarks by state guide is a map to key makers and marks. It speeds attribution. Handy for collectors and appraisers.
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Limoges china patterns: a visual identification reference for collectors
Read more: Limoges china patterns: a visual identification reference for collectorsThe answer is mark-plus-motif reading for Limoges china patterns. Backstamps date blanks, while decoration marks and motifs identify studios and patterns.
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Heirloom sterling silverware value: what your family silver is worth
Read more: Heirloom sterling silverware value: what your family silver is worthThe value of heirloom sterling silverware is melt plus collector premium. Hallmarks and pattern matter. Condition and set size decide the rest.
