Other industry professionals also seem to have taken note of the change related to the scale of purchases. Chicago based Interior designer, Andrea Howard says many of her clients became reluctant to commit to a particular style last year, opting instead to wait until they could see where things were trending post-Covid before pledging themselves to a particular design motif. "We had a lot of requests for paintings, sculptures and objects d'art in 2020, but very little interest in full size makeovers that involved items like furniture." This year however, Howard says she's already seen a snapback to bigger decorative pieces and complete ensembles. Over the last few years heavily painted furniture had been popular with clients, according to Howard, but she feels the trend may have finally run out of steam. "People now seem to want more wood-toned pieces that perhaps reflect a stable and more traditional past." Howard says she isn't sure whether this nostalgia for a return to brown-wood is simply a reaction to people wanting to move past the pandemic, or a legitimate style shift, but notes that either way, the increase in customer demand for classically styled furniture has picked up substantially since the beginning of the year. "I'm not banking on a full return to the old days just yet," says Howard, "but I'm definitely going to be reaching out to my suppliers for an eyes-on approach, just in case it does return."
​- A. Howard (Interior Designer)

While many dealers and industry pundits are seeing a return to full-size purchases this year, Joanna Burk, a "glass specialist," with sites on Etsy, eBay, and a host of other collectible platforms, says it's not all about the "big." Burk claims that her sales of mid-century barware and pretty much everything party-glass related up to the 1970's, has been on fire over the last twelve months. "Maybe it's just because everyone was hanging out at home and starting cocktail hour early," says Burk. "Or perhaps it's just a renewed interest in an old collectible, I can't really say for sure, but I do know that I'm spending most evenings packing orders." Items such as colored glass tumblers with mid-century motifs or design cues from the 1970's (think white plastic wine glasses), are hot sellers says Burk. "Two years ago I couldn't move crystal glass, now I have a waiting list for any Art Deco crystal that comes along."
​- J. Burk (Online Dealer)

For most of the dealers and industry insiders, the prognostication of this year's decorative arts direction wasn't just about whether or not trends ended up being in the big or small vein, but whether or not they could sustain some consistency moving forward. "I reckon we've got Covid pretty much in the rearview-mirror now," said Tom Preston, while returning back from a pick in Tennessee, "and because of that, people are back out shopping again, which means there's a good chance you'll see some of these trends really take hold and settle in for a good long while."  
 

- A.I.A. Staff Writers
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​New York - ​What's in a name?

For those of us in the decorative arts industry it would appear that the common-usage monikers of antiques, collectibles and vintage may have finally begun to merge. In a span of less than two decades, many collectors, buyers, and sellers of Victorian and stately Georgian pieces have quietly morphed their interests and purchases beyond the standard classics, moving collections and inventories into the broader and more contemporary range of early-20th century, mid-century modern and vintage themed pieces.

These separate, yet somehow relatable classifications have in many respects been forced upon traditional dealers by the public's changing tastes towards the decorative arts over the last twenty years. Gone are the ubiquitous and all encompassing brown-patina "antique" pieces that were once a staple of literally every mid to high-end home of the last sixty years - now replaced by the sleek and angular lines of twentieth-century modernism. 

However, after more than a few decades of seemingly divergent lines of travel in meaning and scope, it would now appear that some of these decorative art terms have not only begun to run parallel to each other, but in some cases have even begun to merge. Initially, many antique venues at the turn of the century, fearing a loss of public interest (and business), through the use of the word "antique," pivoted quickly by adopting new monikers that included vintage and retro into their overall promotion and branding strategies. Other businesses even went so far as to create category specific words such as "Vintiques," to convey the changing direction they felt the decorative arts market had taken.

Yet surprisingly, for many industry insiders, these terms have almost come full-circle, to the point of even becoming somewhat synonymous with each other. While purists may still count the years to officially denote what constitutes a proper antique, others have taken on more of a blended sensibility when it comes to what these expressions truly represent.

​Florida - The Asheford Institute's latest results from its yearly annual survey of top buying trends within the antiques, vintage and collectibles marketplace has just been released. 

The Institute, which has been conducting the industry related survey on its graduates for over twelve years now, uploaded its latest trending data on decorative arts sales for 2020, via a dedicated page on the school's web site. While Covid 19 certainly had an effect on people's buying and collecting habits over the past twelve months, many trends from this year's poll remained the same, despite the pandemic. In other instances, new collector categories were added, with some surging in popularity as people found themselves spending more time at home and in front of their computers.  

Building on the results from last year's survey, 2020's poll offered an improved questionnaire that placed increased emphasis on compiling and grouping detailed information related to customers specific decorative arts buying habits over a twelve month period. Strong interest from past readers looking for updates to previous years statistics, prompted the change in format construction of the survey to include a broader base of information as it applied to the overall popularity of certain collecting genres within the antiques and vintage marketplace.

"Despite the difficulties with Covid, we're continuing to ask questions that will hopefully further illuminate the specific sales categories and industry practices that have been most profitable for antique and vintage dealers over the past year," said Institute Director, Charles Green. "Being able to provide our students and readers with as much pertinent information as possible about what's selling in a particular geographic region, and how they can apply that data to help grow their own antique and vintage business has always been key to the survey."

One of the main factors for the poll's continued success says Green, has been its steady increase in size. "The number of respondents queried has jumped year-over-year. Last year we increased the survey size by ten-percent, and in 2020 we upped that number by another nine-percent," said Green. The school's director believes the yearly increase in raw data compilation has greatly improved the accuracy of the poll's overall results regarding the popularity of particular sales categories within the antiques and collectibles community. "With each passing year the survey has not only grown in scope, but has provided a better picture of actual sales results within the marketplace itself," said Green.    

Anthony Harper, the school's lead researcher for the survey, echoed the director's comments about the revised poll format, while reiterating that the main objective of the Institute's survey has always been to provide as precise an analysis as possible of measurable interest in current decorative arts trends. Harper went on to state that the key to getting meaningful survey results was based on receiving actual sales data alongside item-specific requests from buyers, which could then be used to indicate interest within a particular collecting genre.

Even though Harper has helmed the development of the school's surveys for over twelve years, he's still impressed at how well the results of past polls have managed to stand up over time. "When we first started out, we weren't sure if we were reflecting actual overall market conditions, or just a niche representation." However, since those first days, Harper said that not only did subsequent poll results reveal where the market was at, but more importantly, they often foreshadowed where it was going to be. "Over the years, I realized that was probably one of the most significant and valuable pieces of information to come from the poll," said Harper.

New York - To say that everyone is a little fatigued from the whole Covid nightmare is probably the understatement of the year. After months of lockdowns, openings, closings, reopening's, and everything else in between, most have just come to the conclusion that it's simply down to a waiting-game for a vaccine. However, even with the uncertainty this pandemic has brought over the last ten months, businesses have managed to go on; for worse (and surprisingly for some), for the better.

During the pandemic's initial outbreak back in March of this year, staff writers contacted a number of antique and vintage vendors from across the nation to try and pin-down how they were feeling about their prospects for the upcoming year. While many of them were obviously tentative and filled with a certain degree of apprehension due to the nature of the pandemic, some had already pivoted their antique and vintage businesses to a different model by the beginning of May. 

This past week we returned to chat with many of these dealers to find out how their 2020 year was closing out...

Calvin Smith, a second generation antiques dealer on the upper east coast near the Maine border, told us in March that he'd seen a lot of nostalgia buying at the onset of the pandemic. "I think people were just settling in for the long-haul," said Smith when we spoke to him last. "I don't really think anyone truly believed it was going to go on this long." Smith says that while he ramped up his online sales in the early spring to prepare for the lack of in-store shopping, he was pleasantly surprised that by the time summer came, he was actually able to have foot-traffic within his premises. "I don't know whether or not people were fearful of another lockdown, and maybe not being able to get back out, but they just seemed to be a lot more serious this year about buying rather than browsing. We didn't sell a lot of furniture, but higher end carry-away items like art glass and objects d'art really sold well." Smith claims that although his foot-traffic was down by more than forty-percent, he still managed to recoup eighty-percent of his instore sales, and made up the difference with his online efforts of smaller more packable items. "I can't really complain," says Smith, "I'm probably going to be up by about ten-percent at years end, so I'm pretty happy with how the season turned out so far."​

​New York - While we're all aware that 'hoarding' is probably not the best practice when it comes to most things in life, there are of course exceptions to the rule. Often, simply retaining bits and pieces from the past is way of remembering something pleasant from another time. While an item may have outlived its current usefulness, or is no longer representative of a fashionable trend, it may still have a sentimental value to its owner.

​For those who hold emotional attachments to things collected long ago, the attic is often the final resting place for many of these items. However, before you decide to permanently lock the door to your mansard room, or cart your dusty old stash of attic boxes off to the nearest Goodwill, you might want to take note of some surprisingly valuable items that can often be found lurking just out of reach in the shadows above your head. While most of these top-floor items likely won't rise to the level of "national-treasure," you might just be surprised at how valuable some attic finds have become.

Among the top contenders for items in the attic are paper collectibles such as books, letters and posters. Baby-boomers have a penchant for hanging onto their musically inspired youth and adolescent bedroom wall-art with a vengeance. Concert posters from the 60's and 70's can draw large sums for the right bands. Of course condition is king, and having the poster properly mounted or framed will add considerably to the value. A 1966 Shea Stadium Beatles concert poster similar to the one pictured here recently sold for $137,000 earlier in the year. Bigger named bands will also get you a bigger paycheck should you decide to sell. Values on average can range from $25 to $1,500, and possibly higher if put up at the right auction. Newer bands, and album promotion posters from music shops and vendors can also bring in substantial sums. An original 1991 vintage poster featuring Nirvana's iconic "Nevermind" album was recently listed for over $200 by an online seller. 

Another common item you're likely to find in many peoples attics (at least for those of a certain age), are board games. Even though Risk was first introduced in 1957, an anniversary edition that was released in 1999 now has an asking price well over $350 on eBay. Similarly dated games from around the turn of the century, such as the Star Wars, Queen's Gambit game are now valued upwards of a $1,000. As with most collectibles of this kind, unopened examples will take the highest price. Top titles are the most popular with prices ranging on average from $45 to $1,200. Other more commonly available examples like Milton-Bradley's, Fireball Island game, which dates back to 1986 is also highly collected due to the nature of the pieces involved - marbles that can be thrown at an opposing player's  pieces! Finding one with all the bits intact can be worth well over $400 to the right buyer. 

The rise of small wall and desk clocks probably hit its peak during the Art Deco and early Mid-Century period. The style of these time pieces reflected the architecture and design cues of the day. Geometric shapes, metal banding and rounding curves were all part of the aesthetic. There are many examples out there, but if it's been sitting in the attic for a considerable amount of time, make sure the cord or plug hasn't become frayed and brittle. Top dollars go to those that not only work, but still keep accurate time. Expect prices in the range of $35 to over a $1,200 for exceptionally good examples of commonly produced models like those from Westclox. Prices for high-end French Art Deco models can easily top  $10,000, with Mid-century examples now reaching into the four-figures as well.

While we may have already beaten this collectible with a proverbial stick in the past (pun fully intended), it's almost a top-to-bottom dollar bet that you're going to find a few of these lying around in many of today's attics. Generally speaking, most won't be worth a fortune, but the older cards will often carry some value. In this instance, condition, player, and year will be paramount. If you stumble across something boxed and sealed, don't take a chance - have them professionally appraised. Values can range from almost worthless into the millions of dollars. Also, be advised that what you think may be "mint" condition, may only only be "excellent" in the eyes of the buyer. The difference between mint and excellent can be almost half the value of the card. 

Another fan-favorite when it comes to incredible attic-finds are comic books. As with baseball cards, comics are going to be almost as ubiquitous in a homes upper floors as attic dust. Similarly, condition is key here, as is rarity and limited and early editions. Marvel Films, which are based on many of these original comic book franchises have been hugely successful and are pushing up the value of even modest condition examples. Rare copies can generate sums in the millions, but even more pedestrian comic books can run into the hundreds to thousands of dollars. Marvel's recent release of the film Eternals, also drove the price of an untouched first-edition from this franchise to over a $1,000, so keep an eye-out for upcoming new films that might be a match for what's in your attic stash.

It's not just Mid-century modern furniture that's gone loco over the last ten years, but also any kitchen related items associated with the era. Fifties style cocktail sets and barware lead the pack, and can often be readily found in many of the attics of ranch style homes and bungalows representative of the period. Selection is generally still abundant, but certain styles from better known producers of the time such as Culver, Libbey, Tura and Hazel-Atlas are all being snapped up at ever-increasing prices. Glasses and barware are items often saved by people in case of "additional" need. Prices are across the board and can range from $10 to over $1,500 for popular examples. If you're unsure whether or not your attic barware meets the mid-century criteria, try some some searches online to match patterns and shapes.

Of course no "Best-of" attic list would be complete without the granddaddy of upper-floor finds... books. For most of us, boxes of books are simply part of the attic aesthetic -  it's simply where they go once they've been read and retired from the bookshelves. However, what many in the digital age may not realize is there's still a very strong market for certain types of books. One of the most popular and critically acclaimed books of the last two decades, Yann Martel's, Booker Prize winning, The Life of Pi, is also one of the most highly collectible (providing you've got the right edition). The Canadian Alfred A. Knopf editions are the copies most valued, and can sell for over $2,000. Of course condition, author, and subject can all play into value, so you really need to know whether the edition you have is worth anything (hint: check with your local book seller first). However, with the value of some titles, such as Julia Child's first 1961 cookbook selling for over $2,000 recently, it would certainly behoove anyone with a fully stocked attic library to do a self-check of their publication titles and of course any first editions.

As with any rummaging expedition, attic finds can also produce some duds along the way. Sometimes an old plate is just an old plate. However, people often take great care to store things up high-and-dry, and out of harms way, because deep down there's a belief that what they have might be valuable in some way - whether sentimental or otherwise. So, if you haven't headed-up to the top floor in a while, it may just be time to break out the flashlight and listen to your gut once again.

- A.I.A. Staff Writers

New York - For many of us, contemplating the latest market fashions and tastes occurring within the antique and decorative arts industry may seem like a bit of a stretch at the moment - especially as the west and much of Europe continues to struggle with the effects of Covid 19. However, stunning results from a number of high-end auction sales in Asia recently appear to be turning a blind-eye to the pandemics stagnating effect on commerce, as a once famous and exceptionally popular decorative arts genre seems poised to be making a comeback with collectors and dealers from around the world. Or, as Hong Kong, Arts & Crafts dealer, Nigel Connally mused while attending one of these sales, "Antique jewelry is back baby!"

Connally, and other top dealers who were rep'ing the local Hong Kong decorative arts scene, said the recent auctions put on by Phillips and Sotheby's were literally mayhem with so many dealers and collectors from across Asia unexpectedly showing up. "I just had no idea how popular late Victorian and Belle Époque jewelry had become," said Connally. "We were literally falling off our chairs at some of the prices being realized." 

The Sotheby's sale featured an art deco emerald and diamond-set necklace made for American socialite Hélène Beaumont, who was a close friend to Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. Reported pre-auction estimates were pegged at around $1.8 million, but the early twentieth-century piece ended up being hammered-down for a staggering $3.6 million to an Asian buyer - more than double what it brought when last at auction.

According to Jean Ghika, global head of jewelry at Bonhams auction house, sales of top-shelf late antique Victorian pieces and almost anything art deco has become exceptionally popular with Asian buyers. “There is an understanding and appreciation of these older pieces and the fact that many come with history, are unique, and often produced in limited numbers,” said Ghika.  As for favorites, Ghika says that Asian buyers seem particularly enamored with pieces from famous French and Italian jewelry houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Buccellati and Bulgari to name a few.

New York - ​Flight is fascinating – for all people of all ages - even in times such as these. When we see an airplane overhead, we often think of exotic travel to far-away places, especially as many of us are forced to continue hunkering down due to Covid 19 travel restrictions. We are reminded of our favorite vacation, or that adventure we’re still planning. Even when we understand the physics and mechanics behind flying, there is still a mystery surrounding the airplane. It is this fascination - and subsequent associations - that can often make the acquisition of vintage and retro aviation collectibles such an exciting and profitable pursuit for many of today's collectors and dealers.

In years past, aviation related items had for the most part been the domain of a niche group of buyer's and sellers, but today that interest has begun to spread more broadly across the decorative arts spectrum, with a contingency of mainstream dealers taking note of the value in adding such items to their inventory or collection. While there is still currently plenty of available stock to choose from, some antique and vintage dealers are already sounding off on rising prices and "buy-it-now" auction results that show a dramatic uptick in overall demand (and cost) for anything aviation related.

Mankind has only been flying for a little over 100 years, making true aviation antiques (by the strictest definition) few and far between. Luckily, the public took to flying like the proverbial duck to water, and an industry arose which gave us a plethora of interesting vintage and contemporary collectibles. In fact, there is hardly an area of aviation collecting that has not experienced a surge in growth over the last few years when compared against more mainstream collectibles. Whether this is due in part to the public's romanticized association with the glory days of flying, when passengers dressed in suits, and leg-room was ample (regardless of seating-class), or because people just seemed a bit more civilized when it came to travel back then, there is no question that today's vintage buyers have become completely enamored by the allure of yesteryear's aviation collectibles, as evidenced by the quickly escalating (and often realized) auction prices for many of these items.

While the collecting of actual airplanes is best left to Hollywood superstars and James Bond villains, model and toy planes were made by just about every manufacturer in the world. Wooden, tinplate, and die-cast metal examples can be found, with the older models of course commanding the highest prices. As always, condition is key, as the propellers on small toys were easily bent or broken. It will be interesting to see if advances in 3D printing will allow for affordable restoration of these pieces as current prices and valuations continue to rise - even for modest examples.
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For those who prefer ephemera (printed matter), there are no limits to the collectables on offer. The 50’s and 60’s were the glamour days of airline travel, and posters, maps, and advertising materials of the time boast fantastic graphics and colors (think “Mad Men” meet “Catch Me If You Can”). The names of the airlines and the advertised destinations are what dictate the prices here, with Pan Am, TWA, and BOAC (the forerunner of British Airways) ​leading the pack. With popularity, however, have also come the reprints and fakes, so be sure you’ve got a reputable source when buying.

Something larger perhaps? For fans of the industrial look, or those furnishing a “Man Cave,” an aircraft propeller mounted to the wall can give the room its final touch. Remember; real propellers are only curved (“cambered”) on the front side of the blades, the backs are flat. Additionally, any maker’s logos or stickers would have been printed along the blade – not across. Cheap reproductions abound, and they often get these details wrong. I’ve also seen airplane seats used in home theaters, catering trollies converted to mobile bars, and entire wings upcycled to conference room tables. With some imagination, the possibilities are endless.

So far, we’ve only talked about the rising interest in airline and travel collectibles. Naturally, there is also military aviation, from its early start in WWI right up to the present day. Collectibles in this area include: uniforms and medals, aircraft parts (sometimes showing battle damage), pilot handbooks and logbooks, as well as all manner of personal equipment. As with all militaria, you want a complete history if possible – the where and when are almost as important as the objects themselves.

In short, there are collectors for and of all things airline and aviation-related. I’ve met collectors of; pilots’ wings, baggage tags, cockpit instruments (clocks being the most popular), stewardess’ hats, propellers, safety instruction cards, route maps, radio sets, airline glassware and cutlery, posters and advertising, and everything in between. And yes, there is even a serious group who collect airsickness bags (unused, of course!)
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Air travel today may not be the glamorous adventure it once was on the Pan Am Clippers, but we all want it to be - especially during today's unsettling times. However, adding that aviation collectible to a room or a display cabinet may be just what's needed to bring back a touch of glamour to one's collection, or perhaps some added top-shelf inventory value to one's shop. Regardless of which direction you choose however, there's little question that this is one area of today's decorative arts field that has truly taken off...​

Mr. Wilkins is an honors graduate of the Institute, splitting his time between Europe & Canada. A contributing columnist on all things MCM and aviation related, he operates "VintageBarn und Aeronautika Antik" online, and is also a recognized specialist in the field of German ceramics.

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New York - As the Covid economy continues to cycle people in and out of lockdown, a new breed of antique and vintage collector/dealer has begun to emerge from the shadows of self-isolation and quarantine. Freshly minted collectors who've been attempting to hone their garage and estate sale 'hobby picking' skills into something more profitable and professional, while working patiently from home over the last few months, are suddenly beginning to make their presence felt within the decorative arts scene. Armed with beginners enthusiasm, and a few months of pandemic-induced online searches under their belt, these nascent collectors, cum dealers, are the antique world's answer to the frenzied day-traders of the Robinhood investment firm. However, as with most new-to-market experiences, there are usually growing pains, and this latest batch of freshly-baked dealers are finding out that they're no exception to the rule.

Roger Crozier, a longtime seller of musical memorabilia on eBay from San Francisco says that after about a month of lockdown, he started to notice a change in the number of queries he was getting regarding his online items and how they were listed. "It was strange," said Crozier, "Normally I'd just get the usual listing questions, but by early spring I was receiving emails from people who were more interested in how I got into the antique business than the item itself." Crozier said that many of his other online colleagues also seemed to notice an uptick in requests by people who were simply inquiring about how to sell antiques online.

For those who are just starting out, or may be entering the antique and vintage field due to a piqued curiosity brought about by an extended home layover from the Coronavirus, the learning curve for buying and selling can be steep. Jessica Smith, who's been a vintage photography dealer on eBay for over fifteen years says that it takes time to learn the ropes. "Most mistakes I'm seeing by recent buyers are easily correctible, but you need a check list of do's and don'ts - and what I'm noticing from these new dealers and collectors is a lot of don'ts." 

Smith says that the most common errors she encounters on eBay relate to basic research. "Don't be afraid to ask the seller questions before buying. Examine photos carefully for any signs indicating a fake or reproduction, such as lack of wear and usage, and look to see if the seller has multiple listings for similar items - a telltale sign of mass production." In addition to these simple offerings Smith also says that buyers should be asking about any noteworthy condition issues, as this will help the purchaser should the item need to be returned because it was misrepresented during the sale.

New York - For many, especially during the time of Covid, it may come as somewhat of a surprise to think that today's Millennial generation could be having some kind of meaningful impact on economic issues related to the decorative arts, however, a recent international survey of this groups online habits related to antiques, art and vintage buying trends, may finally be putting this old refrain of a lost and directionless generation to rest for good.

According to the latest analysis on the fiscal state of today's decorative arts industry ("The Market Report 2020"), released by Art Basel and UBS earlier this year found that Millennials were the most active online collectors of any demographic group, and currently make up almost half of all global collectors, according to the survey's author, Clare McAndrew.

Besides just the raw numbers, McAndrew also noted in her study that millennial collectors were also the most active consignors when it came to placing items up for sale with online auctions, with over seventy-percent saying they’d resold items from their collections (compared to just one-third of boomer collectors). The frequency with which millennials turned over items in their collections was also highlighted in the report, indicating that millennials, unlike boomers, also seemed to be more interested in making short-term capital gains on their decorative art collections, rather than holding and hoping for long-term growth.

McAndrew also commented on millennials motivation for buying in the first place. "Everybody says I buy it for passion, and things like that, but when you look at their actual behavior, they’re getting in and out of the market pretty quickly.” she said. “They’re acting very financially for being so aesthetically motivated.”

While the Basel report is perhaps the strongest and most recent indicator yet of a resurgent interest in the world of antiques and the decorative arts by a new generation of collectors, it is by no means the first signpost to signal such a dramatic change in collecting behavior. Anthony Harper, lead researcher for the Asheford Institute's own poll and yearly survey of top trends within the antique and vintage community, said he began noticing the age shift a couple of years ago. "We started getting our questionnaires coming back from dealers and antique malls indicating a much younger demographic than in the past," said Harper. "Even today, in the midst of the Covid pandemic, many dealers are reporting that the lion-share of their sales are not only coming online, but from millennials as well."

Toronto - Finding positive news can often seem like a somewhat daunting task during these unsettling times. However, out of every crisis often come tales of hope and promise that can move us forward to a better place. Such is the story of a fisherman, an antique collector, and a family's recent unveiling of a pearl that may be the world's largest and most valuable ever found to date.

While the tale of this generational jewel may not reference the long-lost pearl from the legend of Lao Tzu exactly, it is nevertheless likely to be the closest companion piece to the storied fable that you'll ever see. In fact, the recently unveiled pearl was apparently discovered in the very same waters off the coast of the Philippines as the famous Lao Tzu gem.

Flash-forward almost a hundred years from this legend, and a Canadian man from a suburb just outside of Toronto, has recently unwrapped a family heirloom that is now believed to be perhaps the world’s largest natural pearl, weighing in at just under 60 pounds, with an estimated auction value of between $65 to $95 million dollars.

The pearl which comes with a long and colorful family history, was on display for the unveiling outside a vault with the current owner Abraham Reyes, a Mississauga, Ontario man, who inherited it from his great aunt. The off-white pearl which is about the size of a cows head, or baby, is encircled by a 22 carat gilded octopus which holds it in place. The pearl itself is estimated to be about a thousand years old, and possibly much older.

Reyes told reporters at the unveiling that he first saw the pearl when he was very, very young. "I was around seven years old,” Reyes said, “But the value of those things never played in my mind at the time.” 

Experts are still pouring over the pictures and further examinations have to be completed, however, assuming everything pans-out as presented, then the pearl would far outweigh the infamous Pearl of Lao Tzu, which rings in at a speck over 15 pounds, and has long been considered the world's record-holder. (Notwithstanding the purported - but as of yet - not fully substantiated catch of an even larger pearl caught by a Filipino fisherman a few years ago).

Reye's says that he gets his interest in old things and gems honestly as they were both areas of personal interest that were passed on down to him by his great aunt. According to Reyes, his aunt, who lived in Manila, was an avid and renowned collector of oriental art, pre-colonial antiques, and sea related artifacts, including rare shells, and enjoyed sharing her passion with Reyes. His aunt received the pearl from Reyes Grandfather who suitcased it into Canada in 1959, after acquiring it from a local fisherman (both of whom apparently had no idea of its value at the time), before it was eventually passed onto Reyes as part of a collection of family heirlooms. In fact, Reyes claims that he and the rest of the family didn't even know it was a pearl until just a few years ago when someone suggested they have it examined by the Gemological Institute Of America.  

Reyes says that what's funny is when people used to see the pearl in his house, they often thought it was simply a fancy sea-sculpture of an octopus with tentacles encasing a rock, "They literally had no idea it was a pearl," he said. "But then again, just prior to that... neither did I."

When asked about the prospect of bringing it to auction, Reyes stated that it would stay in the family, but that he would like to see it come out of the vault more often. “My goal is to have it brought to the museums or even some of the major galleries for the world to see it,” Reyes said. He wants to teach the public about preserving antiquities, along with the history of pearls, why they're so valuable, and the need for raising environmental awareness. “Natural pearls are a reflection of our delicate ecosystem,” he said, "We need to protect all of it."

For the rest of us, this is clearly an educational tale of why it pays to be nice to your elderly relatives!
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- A.I.A. Writers

Florida - For some antique and vintage dealers the arrival of the global shutdown may merely seem like yesterday's news, but to others the Coronavirus close-out of storefront business traffic has felt more like an eternity than a brief hiatus from work - especially when it comes to a company's balance-sheet.

However, in recent days, a number of states and provinces across North America have either opened fully (like Georgia), or have started ramping up measures aimed at bringing their local economies back online. In Alabama, the state has allowed businesses to resume many normal practices beginning the first of May, while in Canada, the Province of British Columbia is preparing a staggered reopening for sometime later the same month. 

While these measures can 'hopefully' be seen as an encouraging sign that we may be moving in the right direction when it comes to ending the Coronavirus pandemic, it certainly has to be weighed with a degree of caution against a premature opening that might set us back again to where we were just three short weeks ago. 

When school staff writers reached out to a number of antique and vintage dealers across the continent to discuss the implementation of these new measures, it came as no surprise that there was a certain amount of trepidation from local business owners over how to proceed, along with some mixed feelings on the opening process itself.

Tim Clark, a semi-retired dealer from Birmingham, Alabama who owns a small storefront with mixed hours, said that he doesn't really see much of a problem when it comes to his own shop. "I'm only open part-time as it is," said Clark, "So without the lineups that you see in box-stores, I really don't anticipate having any problems with physical-distancing since there aren't usually that many folks in the store at one time anyway." Clark says he's more concerned about just getting people out to buy. "You can be open all you want, but if no one's leaving the house it won't do you much good."

For others in the business it's more a concern. Janet Williams, who manages an old red-brick grainery converted into a large antique and vintage storefront in rural southern Georgia says that it's simply about crowd control. "We're often slammed on the weekends," says Williams, "I can't honestly say that I can be two places at once in this huge space while trying to maintain social-distancing between folks who are shopping." Williams feels that her job is important, but she's not sure if she wants to risk everything on having to police customers about safe behavior during the pandemic. "I'm sixty-three," says Williams, "I'm right in the sweet-spot for the virus to do some damage, so I'm really going to have think about this carefully before deciding on whether or not to come back into work."    

While many of the governors of the states that are either open, or soon to be open for business are claiming that the roll-outs are being conducted based on scientific data, these claims themselves seem to be in stark contrast to the health and scientific recommendations being made by other government officials and scientists. "It's confusing as hell," says Harold White, a dealer in Texas who recently just took down the plywood from his storefront windows. "I closed early, and now I'm going to reopen early," says White. During the start of the pandemic White claims that he locked everything up prior to the overall shutdown and decided to sit it out. "I waited and watched, but nothing ever really came to our neck of the woods, so I'm willing to open back up and and see what happens." William's acknowledges that his twenty-two year old daughter who is currently out of school will be doing most of the face-to-face time in the shop. "She wants to work, and I'm older, so were just trying to reduce the risks as much as possible," said Williams.

For the majority of dealers, getting back to work seemed to be the number one consideration - especially amongst the younger crowd. However, even in this context, there were particular problems related to this demographics desire to return to business. Sue King, a self-admitted late blooming millennial, who has her own antique booth at an east coast mall, and who likes to work the seasons first two Brimfield  shows, says it's just not going to happen any time soon. "Our spaces are designed for large groups of people to congregate and browse when shopping," she said. "Having this type of crowd is certainly not going to be on anyone's list of top openings for an organized roll-out, which means I'll probably be sitting this out for a while."   

Some businesses simply say there's not really much choice when it comes to whether or not they'll be opening back up in the near term. Robert Foley, who was contacted last month, says that Internet sales have continued to remain relatively strong since the pandemic began. "I think I was surprised like everyone," said Foley, "but even more so four weeks on, and I'm still shipping stuff out." Foley admits that the bricks & mortar component of his New York business will probably have to wait. "I think we're getting close, but it's really going to be up to the Governor and state to give us the green light."

While the overall consensus from many of the dealers was the desire to return to work due to obvious financial considerations and needs, there also appeared to be a grudging acknowledgment that if shops and storefronts had to be shuttered for a bit longer due to overriding health concerns, than so be it. "This is still a completely fluid situation," said Sue King, "I would love to think about hitting the spring and summertime Brimfield shows, but right now that's just not a reality - but who knows - maybe tomorrow it will be."

- A.I.A. Staff Writers ​

Florida - For many in the decorative arts community it may seem impossibly hard to even conceive of moving past such a global pandemic as the Coronavirus, while simultaneously watching the current health and economic fallout from this crisis.

However, when momentarily paused, and then considered in its entirety, the reality is that most antique and vintage businesses will likely survive this crisis in one fashion or another, due in large part to the inherent low-cost to debt-ratio of many working in the industry, and the fact that many antique dealers often piecemeal their capital expenditures when it comes to inventory. While these factors alone may initially bode well for most brick & mortar dealers, it's unlikely they'll be enough to carry them through to the end of the crisis unscathed, unless like the virus, they evolve.

For the moment, it's main-street antique and vintage businesses that are truly feeling the pinch, as mandatory shutdowns of physical storefronts and locations continue. But for those businesses that have shifted to a hybrid model of sales that involve not only walk-in traffic but Internet customers, the future is looking somewhat brighter.

The current combination of stay-at-home directives, along with buy online & deliver is being felt almost instantly by Internet sellers and retailers across the board - including some antique and vintage dealers. While most news reports simply showcase 'essential' items as making the headlines (toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc.), digging a little deeper into the story reveals that there are also a number of other areas in the online market that seem to be experiencing an uptick in sales (no doubt part of the reason Amazon just announced the hire of 10,000 new workers last week). 

5. 70's Style Returns (2019 Prediction)

​And finally, for those of you that have been collecting and buying mid-century like madmen from the 60s, Geena Cole, a style influencer on multiple social media platforms says it might be time to drop everything, hit up your platform shoes, and head for the thrift store for anything rounded and 70-ish. "I see so many of my followers accounts just bursting at the seams with seventies design and fashion," says Cole. This will definitely be the year to get ahead of the crowd and start buying up that curvy design aesthetic - especially the 1970s-inspired rounded furniture which has become the poster child for items from this period.
- G. Cole, style influencer

​(2020 Assessment)
There isn't going to be much argument here. Even the school's own surveys and polls tend to corroborate Ms. Cole's contention from last year, but just to be doubly sure, we decided to check back-in with her to see if that 2019 vision was still on the same trajectory for 2020, and it was. "The only difference I've noticed," said Cole, "is the volume of collectors soaking into this market... It's probably double what it was last year, and that's being conservative!" 

Florida - One of the most satisfying feelings for writers of any genre is to see the continued build-up of organic interest in a story that was published some time ago.

Last year, staff writer's here at the Institute showcased an article that dealt with the lack of new decorative arts motifs being developed and created by today's generation of designers. It focused on the noticeably absent themes of original design concepts within the current decorative arts landscape, and tasked a number of experts from this field with explaining the 'how's' and 'whys' of this apparent diminution of fresh new styles and trends.

Since the original publication date of this article last February, the school has received an enormous and overwhelming response rate of replies and interest from not only students and graduates, but from those working in the decorative arts community as well. To that end, and as a result of the continued interest being generated by this subject matter, we've decided to repost an "extended" version of this article for not only our current subscribers, but also for our newest readers who may have missed it's original debut last winter. For those who wish to add their voice to this discussion, you can do so on the school's Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/ashefordinstitute

​While members of the school's research staff stress that the current survey being conducted is still based on a series of general questions, and non standardized statistical formulas, the results are nevertheless compelling when looked at in their entirety. “Sometimes when a trend gets going it's hard to stop," said Amber Shole, a research assistant on the school's polling team, "but this year that's exactly what happened." Shole says that a certain historical event surprised many industry insiders by skewing the statistics somewhat about half-way through the year. "It was a bit of an outlier, so that was the shock, but once it picked up steam, it just kept on rolling," said Shole.

Of course there are always going to be a few perennial poll favorites, like Mid-Century Modern and Automobilia, but Shole notes that changes are continuing to brew. "There's definitely a sense that we're starting to turn the corner from the full-on modern motif towards something a little more subtle and subdued." And, while she admits that items from the mid to latter-half of the twentieth-century continue to be hot, she says that older more established areas of collecting are beginning to gain back some ground. "Thrifters, and pickers are starting to look at Victorian items, and we're also beginning to see a real uptick in the demand for more formal pieces from the Georgian period as well." Shole says that if anything, 2019's poll clearly demonstrates that there's a new breed of buyer who's willing to step beyond the traditional collecting boundaries that have been a staple of the industry for the last twenty years. "Whether or not this amounts to a tsunami of change or a trickle, remains to be seen," says Shole, "but either way, it's a nice starting point for some old favorites..."  

For readers seeking the full results of the school's current 2019 decorative arts survey/poll (including this years outlier), you'll find it, and more online at:

                             https://www.asheford.com/2019-survey-results.html

Pennsylvania - Just like the popular PBS television series, This Old House, it would seem that people, no matter what the subject, will always have questions surrounding the topic of things that are old - whether it's a house, piece of furniture or even a doll.

However, when it comes to collectible dolls, this statement is usually followed up with the classic value refrain of, "I have an old doll... BUT, can you also tell me what it's worth?"

As a doll collector, appraiser, and restorer, questions of age and value are usually the most common queries to hit my inbox on a daily basis. While there's often no simple textbook answer to most of these questions, there are a few important consideration points I like to suggest to individuals before proceeding with any kind of response.
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Often, when prospective clients reach out to me with statements regarding age and value, terminology clarification is usually required. For example, the term old has several meanings, which may or may not be what a client has in mind when first positing a question. Old, as defined by Merriam-Webster is something dating from the remote past (ancient), or persisting from an earlier time. However, old is also defined as having existed for a specified period of time; of, relating to, or originating in a past era; being advanced in years or age.

Once I'm able to convey the range of possibilities that can come with the use of such terms, I'm often in a much better position to be able to formulate a clearer and more precise response to clients initial queries, since we're now sharing a mutual understanding of the terminology being used, as well as any implied meanings that may exist outside the scope of traditional definitions.
 
In the world of doll collecting, there are several 'age' categories to consider. These include: antique, vintage, contemporary and modern. Understanding the differences and nuances between these categories can often be confusing to individuals and even some novice collectors, as many simply lump the entirety into the classification of old. Determining what separates these categories is key when it comes to understanding the concept of value and worth.

Antique dolls are those that existed prior to a hundred years from today's date (i.e. a doll produced before 1919). Dolls from this period were most often made of bisque or biscuit porcelain. These dolls would often have bodies made from materials such as kid or unbleached muslin filled with sawdust or horsehair, or bodies whittled from wood, pressed wood composite, or celluloid (Note: celluloid nitrate, alcohol, camphor pigments, and similar fillers are materials manufacturers would not use today). Other materials that were used for bodies during this period included wax over bisque, wax over papier mache, and even corncobs.

Vintage dolls are those which were created within the last seventy-five to ninety-nine years. Most of the bodies were made of similar materials as those used in antique dolls, with a few notable differences. Substances that are akin to vintage and modern dolls would include such materials as, hard plastics, vinyl, and magic skin (latex/vinyl with the texture of a balloon stuffed with a padding fabric).

Florida - It's not everyday that one thinks of a ratty old pair of track sneakers as being worth as much as a house, but that's exactly what happened at a Sotheby's auction in New York recently.

Falling just under the hammer near $500,000, a pair of (used) Nike track shoes designed by company co-founder Bill Bowerman, set a whopping new record for everyday footwear to be sold at a public auction.

While there was obviously some "fiscal" provenance attached to the sale, as the shoes were associated with Mr. Bowerman, industry insiders were nevertheless stunned by the massive amount paid by a collector in Canada, who planned on displaying the shoes in his car museum outside of Toronto. Less than four years prior, an almost identical pair of the waffle-iron sneakers sold on eBay for just over $11,000, which at the time also came as a shock to many textile collectors. 

However, moving from eBay into the big leagues of Sotheby's in such a short a period of time is a clear indicator of just how popular this form of vintage collectible has become. Twenty-four year old Matt Dixon, a young antique dealer in England, who's been collecting for years wasn't that surprised when he heard the news. "Anything with a big name, a designer name, anything that's got any real heritage and credentials is always going to be sought after because it'll always have value."

While this sentiment is often true of most top quality antique and vintage items, it's rarely been applied to everyday footwear in the same manner. Matt says he thinks of sneakers as an investment, just like all his other antiques. "Buying things like these trainers, there's no doubt they will go up in value again in another 10-15 years' time when they come back on sale."

For older dealers, the new footwear trend (and prices) can be hard to fathom at times. Gordon White, a long-time textile dealer and picker from New York, says he heard about the trend from his son a couple years ago, when he traded a pair of old Converse basketball shoes for a hundred-dollar gift card to a colleague at a restaurant where they both worked. "I was simply flabbergasted," said White, "They didn't even have laces in them!" Since that time White says he's gone on to collecting vintage footwear full-time. "I've added this to my storefront display in a big way," says White, who concedes that his son's good business sense has been responsible for a huge uptick in the stores' overall sales. "Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that something so smelly and dirty could be worth so much, but I guess that just proves that old dogs can still be taught a trick or two."

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NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. 

Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: asheford@mail.com or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-

Florida - It's often been said that "Success is the ability to adapt to change," and while this statement is probably as ancient as the wind itself, it's likely to resonate more strongly today for those in the decorative arts business than it ever has before. ​As antique dealers and vintage store owners combine and begin morphing into one, it's become not only an age-old mantra with currency for the modern world, but a necessary mindset for those hoping to succeed in this rapidly evolving industry.

Less than twenty-five years ago, the role of the traditional antiques dealer appeared to be set in stone. Antiques were antiques, and everything else was simply collectibles, memorabilia, or used furniture. Then, in what seemed like an overnight glacial-shift of decorative arts interests, traditional antiques fell out of favor, and everything else suddenly became vintage, retro, and popular.

Since that time, there has been a softening and blurring of the lines, as some antiques have bounced back, and some vintage items have been upcycled and recreated to more closely emulate their older cousins. The Steampunk and Industrial look came about as a neo-Victorian revival against much of the mid-century-modern motifs from the first part of the century. However, it's only recently that the phenomena of a full-scale reactionary change to the overall modernist look has begun to take place within the decorative arts community as a whole.  

For many in the industry, it was simply a creeper effect more than anything else, says Carey Doleman, an interior designer and vintage store owner from Miami's South Beach area. "We've always been big on vibrant colors here, but a lot of clients have been coming in recently looking for more earthy and woodsy tones in their furniture." Doleman says that prior to this people wanted chalk paints and vintage furniture completely upcycled into dramatic color schemes that removed any traces of the wood. Today however, she's finding that many are now leaving the tops of tables in their original state, and only painting the legs. "There's no question," says Doleman, "we've changed some of our inventory back to reflect more naturally exposed wood, because that's what customers are requesting." 

​NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. 

Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: asheford@mail.com or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508

Florida - With summer in full swing, we thought it might be the perfect time to look at one of the hottest collecting commodities in today's vintage and antique marketplaces. For years now, astute dealers and buyers have been quietly snapping-up what many consider to be one of the best untapped areas for collecting within the decorative arts field. 

Surfing, its related forms, and wide array of potential memorabilia, has finally arrived. No longer just the domain of "dudes" and "dudettes" living along coastlines, the surfing phenomena has come to the masses. Whereas surf-themed dealers once relied upon a niche market of geographically similar clients to support their wares, the popularity of the sport and associated accoutrements, has now spread firmly across the globe... and inland.

Car commercials hawking Lincoln and cool-cat Matthew McConaughey as he heads for a "sesh," or Canadian potato-chip manufacturer Hardbite, showing surf-dogs on their chip-bags, are all part of the surfing allure and its new mainstream embrace. Films such as Mavericks, and Blue Crush have also helped to catapult the lifestyle sport to an even higher level with a younger generation, while pro surfers such as Laird Hamilton and Kelly Slater have helped push the "cool" factor into the stratosphere.

For dealers who got in early on the move towards mainstream merchandizing, surfing memorabilia has skyrocketed in value. Tommy Shantz a part-time picker (and surfer) from Santa Cruz, California, says it's all about the pick. "I started suss'ing stuff from local legends back in the 70s and 80s," says Shantz, "I just didn't realize that my signed Greg Noll surfboards would be a hot ticket in Des Moines twenty years later!" Shantz says that while he collects virtually everything related to surfing, some things are just more popular than others. "Boards are all the rage right now, especially Hawaiian woody long-boards from the 20s and 30s, which people are using to decorate their pads with." Shantz recounts that twenty years ago only surfers did up their digs with equipment, but that today he sees boards hanging over dining room tables like expensive chandeliers.

It's not just coastal dealers who are experiencing the boom though. Nancy Brown, a vintage seller in a summer resort town from Wisconsin, says that Great Lake surfers have been plying the waters for years in her area and are picking up anything she can find that's related to the history of fresh water surfing. "It's really kind of cool to see what this is all about," said Brown. "I never even realized that you could surf on a lake until recently!" Her latest sale involved a collection of black & white photos she came across at a cottage yard sale on Lake Superior, that showed a group of men surfing in what appeared to be the late 1960's. "You could see the old cars in the foreground, so it helped date the pictures to sometime from that era," she said.   

A quick scan of eBay and Etsy listings shows just how strong the market has become for surf themed items, from classic beach signs to vintage t-shirts, posters, and even competitor trophies. Maddy Croft, an online retailer on Etsy says she began selling "surf-wares" when her brother started ditching all his old surf clothes. "One day he came home and cleaned out his closet, but before he could pitch them, I tried selling them online," she said, "and by the end of the week they were gone." Croft says items from older surf companies such as Quicksilver and Instinct, that can be shown to be truly vintage, can command high prices. "There's still lots of cheap product in most thrift and second-hand stores says Maddy, you just have to be willing to dig through it."

For those hoping to cash in on the recent popularity of the trend, Tommy Shantz says that it's still a great time as there are plenty of pieces out there that can be picked up cheaply. "Obviously coastal communities are going to have more of a selection, but I've picked up some really cool items inland too," said Shantz "...and at great prices."

As to how long the trend will last is anybody's guess, but surfing and its accompanying lifestyle has always been the domain of the cool kids, at least according to Maddy Croft. "Local surfers kind of ruled when I was young, and often set the trends, and I think they still do in many respects," said Croft. "So if coolness is a factor in longevity, then I think we'll probably see this trend stick around for quite some time." ​

​NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. 

Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: asheford@mail.com or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508

Florida - For sometime now it's been suggested by many in the antiques trade that the business is simply not like it was in years past, when there was a strong interest by the public in almost all things antique. Or, as David Rasuchkolb, an old-school dealer in upstate New York recently put it, "There was once a time when the younger generation led the way in the purchase and sales of antiques, and the rest of us followed - unfortunately that period ended during the early nineteen-nineties." 

J. Hobson (AIA), is a former honors graduate of the Asheford Institute and a freelance writer who specializes in business trends in today's antique and vintage marketplaces. She comes by her experience honestly, having operated one of the southeasts largest antique malls for over ten years before moving onto her own business in San Antonio's upscale La Cantera district.
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