Editorial

Wear, construction, materials, marks and paperwork — the practical signs dealers use to tell a genuine antique from a reproduction, and when to call an expert.

Reserves, estimates, increments and buyer’s premium explained — a plain-English guide to bidding at online art and antiques auctions with confidence.

The words antique, vintage and retro are used loosely — but to dealers they mean different things, and the difference changes value, documentation and how you judge a piece.

A condition report is not a sales pitch. It is a practical record of visible condition, known concerns and areas where further inspection may be sensible. Read it alongside the photographs, dimensions, materials and provenance notes rather than as a separate document. For paintings and works on paper, look for notes on surface marks, craquelure, […]

Provenance is the ownership and documentation history attached to an artwork, antique or collectible object. It can include invoices, labels, collection notes, exhibition records, previous auction entries, family history, gallery correspondence, certificates and shipping or import paperwork. Good provenance isn’t always a famous chain Good provenance does not always mean a long line of famous […]

Buying antiques online is easier when you slow the decision down and check the evidence in the listing. Start with the object description before the price. Look for dimensions, materials, period, maker marks, condition notes, provenance, delivery requirements and a clear seller route. A useful listing should explain what is known and what is not […]