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Category: The Eye – Identification & Analysis

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.

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Art Appreciation

Thumbnail for The Complete Guide to Buying, Identifying, Appreciating and Valuing Artwork featuring the guide cover alongside antiques expert Walter Edward O'Neill of Antiques Arena.

The Complete Guide to Buying, Identifying, Appreciating and Valuing Artwork

June 25, 2026

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.

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Article thumbnail for Understanding Metals in the Antique Trade featuring a guidebook cover showing gold, silver, copper, pewter and other metals alongside a portrait of Walter Edward O’Neill of Antiques Arena.

Understanding Metals in the Antique Trade: A Complete Guide to Identification and Value

June 2, 2026

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.

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Thumbnail for the article How to Learn Antiques Without Becoming Overwhelmed featuring a Pinterest image of antiques alongside a portrait of antique dealer Walter O'Neill from Antiques Arena.

How to Learn Antiques Without Becoming Overwhelmed

June 1, 2026

**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.

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Thumbnail for the article How Wealth, History and Location Shape the Antique Trade featuring a Pinterest infographic, portrait of antique dealer Walter O'Neill and Antiques Arena branding.

How Wealth History and Location Shape The Antique Trade 

June 1, 2026

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.

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Chinese Export Porcelain Guide thumbnail featuring book cover and portrait of Walter O’Neill from Antiques Arena

The Ultimate Guide to Chinese Export Porcelain: Kangxi to Qianlong Identification, Marks, Fakes and Trade History

February 27, 2026

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.

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Understanding Japanese cloisonne thumbnail featuring identification guide graphic and Antiques Arena expert portrait.

Japanese Cloisonne: The Complete Guide to Shippo, Meiji Masters, and Market Value

February 21, 2026

Japanese cloisonne reached its technical peak during the Meiji period, particularly between 1880 and 1910. Defined by hair-thin silver wire, translucent enamel, and mirror-smooth surfaces, true Meiji examples stand far above later tourist ware. This guide explains how to identify genuine Japanese cloisonne, understand Musen and Ginbari techniques, and avoid costly buying mistakes.

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