The value of antiques is affected by many different factors. Like any other merchandise the antique china value is subject to the demand and supply situation. Antiques highly sought after but scarce can usually command a better price.
In individual situations another
factor is the value attributed to an antique by its owner, and the
price a collector is willing to pay to obtain it for his/her
collection.
Therefore, the actual value of an
antique may never be the same at any two points in time, or in two
different sales locations.
Ceramics,
pottery and porcelain
The following points are
decisive factors applying to the value of antiques in general and/or antique china wares.
*
Can be relevant with Chinese ceramics. Mainstream kilns have a higher value.
Other
factors:
The
type of location or business where antiques are traded also
influences the antique china value. High-end or low-end antiques are usually
only available in certain locations where their high or low prices are
acceptable to their respective customers. Antiques valued in the medium
range might be available in both.
Selling
venues
*
Many of the larger auction houses now allow online bidding in addition
to inhouse
bidding.
Item
Condition, Rarity and Age:
The
value of antique china is also affected by the condition of the respective
items of course, the same way as with other antiques. However, age and
rarity may lead to exceptional acceptance of minor damage
by collectors.
This is especially the case with Chinese
porcelain.
Minor damage of Ming porcelain, for example, is often more acceptable
than if the same condition were found in late Qing dynasty or republican
porcelain.
While
minor damage also decreases the value of
antique
Ming items somewhat, in comparison to similar Ming pieces in perfect
state, slight damage appears to be more acceptable than with much
'younger' Qing dynasty and later porcelains.
Due to the scarcity of good Ming
items
the overall antique china value of slightly damaged Ming items is often perceived as
higher than
that of equivalent bur more recent porcelain items in perfect state.
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