Antique Tall
Posted in Uncategorized on 11/05/2010 08:10 am by adminAntique Tall
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 Antique Vintage TALL 10 lite French Doors in Jamb 42 x 96 4 SETS AVAILABLE  US $975.00
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 Beautiful Antique Table Top Ceramic Lamp 1911 US $79.00
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 Vintage Coral Stoneware 2 Handled Bean Crock Pot Casserole Baker Japan US $19.99
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 2 VINTAGE Solid Brass Candle Stick Holders US $.99
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 Country French Twin Louis XV Antique Bed Simple Yet Classic US $685.00
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 RARE Indian Bombay Blackwood Wall Bracket Late 19th US $249.99
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 Antique 1883 F B Rogers Silverplate footed Tea Pot US $13.49
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 ANTIQUE 1908 ARTS CRAFTS HAND CARVED LETTER OPENER 11 Long US $9.95
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 ENGLISH VICTORIAN STYLE ANTIQUE STERLING SILVER GRAND MUFFINEER CASTER US $23.95
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| The Antiques And More Blog |
Antique Ashtrays - The Next Great Collectable!
Copyright (c) 2010 Christine McVeigh
There is no doubt about it antique ashtrays are difficult to stumble on. The once popular decorative drawing room piece - is now hidden away - relegated to the back of the cupboard. Unlike other collectibles, smoking is no longer fashionable and the ashtray has fallen from antique grace.
What this means is they are probably one of the best buys in the collecting market. If no one wants them you get the most gorgeous selection of elegant ashtrays for a fraction of their cost.
Lets us look a little into the world of the antique ashtray.
Styles
The diversity and style of antique ashtrays ranged from simple, lead crystal bowls to elaborate and fanciful porcelain pieces - depending on what was fashionable in that era.
At one time ashtrays were small they could be carried in a ladies' or gentleman's purse or pocket and had covers. They were objects of art as well as practical receptacles for left over ash- a gentleman's fashion accessory.
Other ashtrays were so large that they needed support from stands made of wrought iron. Elaborate ashtrays were often just one piece of a complete smoking set which graced coffee and living room tables in chic homes and gambling houses around Europe.
Ashtrays were created in the shape of animals or flowers, hand painted, jeweled or gold dipped. Later colored glass ashtrays were popular, painted or decorated with scenes of flowers or landscape. Over time ashtrays were manufactured in every type of material; metal, ceramic or glass as long as it didn't burn.
As society's attitude towards smoking waivered the ashtray began to fall from grace and slowly disappeared. The ashtray that graced drawing rooms like art is no longer easily found. Instead, today ashtrays are scarce and plain, if not hidden. Some fashion houses like Versace still create beautiful ashtrays but they are not common place as they were only fifty years ago.
Even in the 1920s smoking was considered fun and even chic and ashtrays were created from pewter or bronze and shaped into tall elegant statuettes for side tables or as standing ornaments while ashtrays in the 1950's were styled in art deco fashion.
The Souvenir Antique Ashtray
The souvenir antique ashtray deserves a category of its own. Now of course no longer popular it had been the tourists first purchase for those eager to remember the places they had visited with something useful and decorative. While most street bought souvenir ashtrays were less than glamorous, those taken from rooms in high class hotels made the best gifts for friends at home. Ashtrays from faraway places were more exotic like steer skull ashtrays, alligator ashtrays or frog ashtrays from around the world.
These pieces are wonderful to collect if you can find them.
Prospective Values
Ashtrays have dwindled in supply as society smokes less and less. This means ashtrays will become something of a rarity and their value will increase.
It is unlikely that one unique ashtray will give you your fortune although a rare ashtray can certainly make you sit up and take notice.
Celebrity Ashtrays
Another very profitable ashtray niche is the celebrity ashtray; ashtrays owned by the rich and famous. At the time Marlene Dietrich passed away she owned 23 ashtrays housed in her Manhattan co-op which even included souvenir ashtrays from establishments like Maxim's in Paris. These ashtrays, worth no more than $250, got more than $3,220 when sold.
The famous cigar smoking comedian George Burns died leaving several ashtrays behind. And although they were in less than mint condition, they fetched large amounts when sold. Two of his many ashtrays valued around $450 obtained $1,380. Even his cracked and chipped glass ashtrays brought in more than $100 over the reserve of $250.
If you are looking at collecting antique ashtrays there are always rules you should follow and this is a good time to start. The best ashtrays will soon be difficult to source let alone buy, but as usual keeping your eye out for these treasures from online auctions to garage sales and yard sales could see you find great buys at low prices. Keep collecting.
About the Author
If you want to learn more about antique teapots, antique plates, tea sets or dishes please visit
http://www.antiqueplateworld.com
more tips, decorating ideas and information on the wonderful antique world. Good shopping.
Christine Mcveigh is author of blog
http://www.antiqueplateworld.com
for eating, decorating, trading or collecting antique plates, antique dishes, Staffordshire, vintage, Victorian, Chinese or English porcelain.
I have antique wood bedroom furniture. How can I update the look?
Our bedroom furniture is antique but in great condition. I have a long dresser with a huge mirror and a tall dresser. How can I update the look? Can you paint wood? It also has a shiny finish on top.
Don't mess with the finish on the furniture. You can change the look of the room by adding modern artwork and new comforter,shams and tailored bedskirt.
You could change the hardware on the drawers to something more modern. Just take one of the pulls with you to match up so you don't have to drill new holes. Also save all the old pulls. Place in a ziplock bag in one of the drawers.
