The Eye focuses on antique identification, object analysis, maker research, hallmarks, authenticity, craftsmanship, and the visual skills required to recognise quality and importance within the trade. This section explores ceramics, glass, silver, bronzes, paintings, Asian antiques, collectables, and the subtle details dealers and collectors learn to spot through years of experience. Built from real-world handling and study, these articles are designed to help readers train their eye, improve their knowledge, and develop confidence in identifying antiques and collectables.
Are Royal Worcester figurines worth buying today? I examine eBay sold and unsold listings, from affordable figures to expensive sculptures, to explore prices and collector demand. Learn which figures deserve closer attention, how condition and rarity affect value, and why one impressive historical sale does not guarantee the price you will achieve today.
Explore Worcester and Royal Worcester porcelain through its factory history, marks, date codes, shapes and decoration. This illustrated guide explains how to identify pieces, assess condition and restoration, recognise misleading marks and understand what influences value.
What is art appreciation, and do you need to be an expert to enjoy art? From a shipwreck painting at Cyfarthfa Castle to LEGO sculptures and vintage tractors, I share how looking closely can reveal stories, stir memories and help us understand what we see. Learn simple ways to appreciate art, ask questions and form your own opinion.
Learn how to identify, appreciate, research and value artwork like a professional antique dealer. This comprehensive guide covers paintings, prints, engravings, etchings, lithographs, sculptures, studio pottery, jade carvings and more, while teaching you how to assess quality, provenance, condition and market value. Whether you buy from auctions, charity shops, car boot sales or antique fairs, this guide will help you make informed buying decisions, avoid costly mistakes and recognise opportunities that many collectors overlook.
Learn how to identify gold, silver, copper, brass, pewter, EPNS, Britannia Metal, spelter, titanium, tungsten carbide and many other metals commonly found in the antique trade. This comprehensive guide explains how to recognise different metals, where to find them at car boot sales, auctions and house clearances, and how to avoid costly identification mistakes. Whether you are an antique dealer, collector, reseller or scrap metal enthusiast, this article will help you uncover hidden value, understand intrinsic metal worth and recognise when an object is worth far more than its scrap content.
**Excerpt:**
Learning antiques can feel overwhelming when there are thousands of categories, makers, materials, and periods to study. In this article, Walter O’Neill shares the simple framework he uses to evaluate antiques, explains why beginners should learn to recognise quality before specialising, and reveals how focusing on one subject transformed his understanding of Chinese porcelain and the antique trade as a whole.
How much does wealth, history and location influence the antiques we find? After more than thirty years in the trade, I have come to believe the answer is far more than most people realise. In this article, I explore how industrial heritage, inherited wealth, local culture, economic pressures and modern technology shape the antique marketplace. From South Wales mining communities to country house estates, discover why certain antiques appear in some regions and not others, how provenance and social status affect value, and why knowledge ultimately matters more than geography when it comes to finding hidden treasures. Whether you are a collector, dealer or enthusiast, this guide will change the way you view the antique trade.
Learn how to spot value in antiques like a professional dealer. This guide breaks down antique identification, base value, and buying strategy so you can make fast, confident decisions even without full knowledge. Discover how to recognise quality, control risk, and find hidden value at car boot sales and beyond.
Most Royal Doulton character jugs are worth between £5 and £20, but the real value sits in the rare exceptions. This guide explains how to identify, date, and value character jugs properly, covering D-numbers, backstamps, condition, rarity, and current market trends so you know what to buy and what to avoid.
Chinese export porcelain from the Kangxi (1661–1722) and Qianlong (1736–1796) periods remains one of the most misunderstood areas of the antiques trade. This in-depth guide explains how to identify genuine 18th-century Chinese porcelain using foot rims, glaze tone, brushwork, heap and piling, form, and marks. With real examples, revival comparisons, trade history, and practical dating advice, this article provides a structured framework for accurate identification.
