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Among traditional collectibles, Ming and Qing dynasty furniture still has a significant price gap compared to the international market. Some estimates place the annual appreciation rate of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture at around 20%, demonstrating its significant potential for appreciation. Collecting Ming and Qing dynasty furniture is a promising investment for preserving value.
Among various traditional collectibles, Ming and Qing dynasty furniture still has a significant price gap compared to the international market. Some estimates place the annual appreciation rate of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture at approximately 20%, demonstrating its significant potential for appreciation. Collecting Ming and Qing dynasty furniture is a promising investment for preserving value. As a novice collector, you might be eager to explore, yet feel a bit lost. Don't worry, our editor has compiled four tips to help you unlock the potential of antique furniture collection.
Accumulate knowledge
First of all, beginners should read more books. There are many books on Ming and Qing furniture on the market. Choose one or two good ones and read them carefully to improve your personal cultivation.
Through books, you can understand and familiarize yourself with the styles of Ming and Qing furniture, learn to identify several major wood types, and lay a foundation for determining the age of furniture. For example, furniture made of rosewood (known as redwood in the north) is generally produced after the mid-Qing Dynasty, because this wood was only imported in large quantities from overseas after the mid-Qing Dynasty. Therefore, if a seller points to a piece of redwood furniture and tells you it's from the Ming Dynasty, they're playing you like a child.
Furthermore, understanding history is crucial. When did China begin using hardwood furniture? Why was Ming Dynasty furniture so simple in style, while becoming more elaborate during the Qing Dynasty? Where did the wood for Ming Dynasty furniture come from, and who used it? A deep understanding of history provides a more comprehensive understanding of Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture and allows one to truly appreciate its cultural appeal.
Understand the industry rules
The Ming and Qing furniture market still has some catching up to do compared to the established markets of calligraphy and jade, so it holds enormous potential and a promising future. However, large pieces (though smaller pieces are also possible) of antique furniture, often costing tens or even hundreds of thousands of yuan, are not easily accessible for home purchase, so extreme caution is advised when purchasing. If purchasing from a dealer, it's advisable to first assess the seller's qualifications and credibility.
The collection of Ming and Qing furniture in recent decades reveals that people in those early days lived in relatively poor conditions. Collecting was a distant dream, and even food and clothing were scarce. So, what value could antique furniture hold? During this unique historical period, antique furniture deemed "the four olds" was not only not valuable, but also a nuisance, worth destroying without a proper excuse. Who would dare collect it? For these reasons, the market for early Ming and Qing furniture was plentiful, affordable, and virtually free of counterfeits. After all, no one was foolish enough to bother producing worthless pieces. Therefore, those who entered the market early were not only knowledgeable but also had a larger collection of authentic, high-quality pieces. When buying antique furniture, the collections of these veteran experts are naturally the first place to consider.
Money is the most deceptive thing, and as the market heats up, many are taking advantage. They might trick you into buying counterfeit goods one day and run away with your money the next. Therefore, reputation within the industry is crucial. Look for reputable trading locations with a long history, preferably ones where you can seek legal redress even if you discover any problems. Generally speaking, reputable sellers will guarantee quality when they ship their goods.
Free up energy and space
First and foremost, a beginner shouldn't be afraid of fatigue or hassle. Looking at furniture, buying it, and moving it are all time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks. While moving companies are much more convenient these days, antique furniture is expensive, and having a moving company damage it is incredibly painful. Therefore, many people still choose to do it themselves. Furthermore, with more furniture in a home, arranging it properly can be a hassle.
Secondly, whether there's enough storage space for the furniture is crucial. If you have ample space, you can certainly go on a shopping spree. However, if space is limited, it's crucial to carefully select the best antique furniture, striving to both collect and use it. If you aspire to become a professional furniture collector and invest heavily, you'll need a larger storage space, such as renting a warehouse or some unused land in the countryside. This, of course, depends largely on your collecting achievements and the depth of your desired collection. If you're in the early stages of your collection and simply want to buy one or two aesthetically pleasing pieces that are practical and require minimal maintenance, then a two-bedroom apartment is fine. However, if you're looking to build a collection and aspire to become a mid-level furniture collector, it might be helpful to clear out any unused, plywood furniture you already have to create space for the antiques you might encounter. If you're committed to furthering your furniture collection, renting a suitable warehouse is a good option.
Develop an appropriate collection strategy
Collectors should determine the general scope and strategy of their collection based on their financial strength, professional knowledge and collecting purposes.
Those with ample funds may choose top-quality, classic, complete sets of antique furniture as their primary collection and investment; those with less ample funds may prefer mid-range sets; and those with less ample funds may prefer single pieces of antique furniture. In short, don't assume that lack of funds prevents you from collecting; many people miss out on opportunities because they hold back.
Once upon a time, there were two men obsessed with antique furniture, both struggling financially. A was determined to make a fortune, hoping to buy whatever antique furniture he liked once he became wealthy. B, though financially strapped, didn't want to watch others collect. So, he started by collecting small, scrap pieces, adopting a strategy of accumulating small amounts to build a larger collection. Twenty years later, both were already in their twenties: A a wealthy businessman, and B a renowned collector. One day, A and B were reminiscing about the past, and A deeply regretted wasting those twenty years. He felt that while his son could now afford to buy the furniture he loved, the passion he had for it was gone forever. The joy of collecting those twenty years could never be repurchased. There's a trendy slogan these days: "Live in the present," and it truly rings true.