Fourth, prepare to open the mahogany collection!

Among various traditional collectibles, Ming and Qing dynasty furniture still maintains a significant price difference compared to the international market. Some estimates suggest that the annual appreciation rate of Ming and Qing furniture is around 20%, indicating that collecting Ming and Qing furniture indeed possesses considerable appreciation potential, making it a promising investment for preserving wealth.

Among various traditional collectibles, Ming and Qing dynasty furniture still maintains a significant price gap compared to the international market. Some estimates suggest that the annual appreciation rate of Ming and Qing furniture is around 20%, indicating that collecting Ming and Qing furniture indeed possesses considerable appreciation potential, making it a promising investment for preserving wealth. Therefore, as a beginner, are you itching to get started but also feeling somewhat lost and unsure where to begin? Don't worry, we've compiled four key points to help you open the door to antique furniture collecting.

Accumulate knowledge

First, beginners should read more books. There are many books on Ming and Qing dynasty furniture on the market; choose one or two good ones and read them carefully to improve your knowledge.

Through books, one can learn about and become familiar with the styles of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, and learn to identify several main types of wood, laying a foundation for judging the age of furniture. For example, furniture made of rosewood (known as mahogany in northern China) is usually a product of the mid-Qing dynasty or later, because it was only after the mid-Qing dynasty that large quantities of rosewood were imported from overseas for furniture making. Therefore, if a seller points to a piece of mahogany furniture and tells you it's from the Ming dynasty, they are trying to deceive you.

In addition, it's essential to understand history. When did China begin using hardwood furniture? Why were Ming dynasty furniture styles so simple, while Qing dynasty furniture became increasingly elaborate? Where did the wood for Ming dynasty furniture come from, and who used this furniture? A deeper understanding of history is crucial for a more comprehensive appreciation of Ming and Qing dynasty furniture and for truly discerning its cultural charm.

Understand the rules of the game

The market for Ming and Qing dynasty furniture still lags behind the established markets for calligraphy, paintings, and jade, indicating significant potential and a promising future. However, large pieces (and some smaller pieces) of antique furniture, often costing tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan, are not easily brought into the home, so extreme caution is advised when purchasing. If buying from a dealer, it's advisable to first assess the seller's qualifications and reputation.

The market for Ming and Qing dynasty furniture in recent decades reveals that people's living conditions were poor in the early days. Forget collecting; even basic necessities like food and clothing were scarce. So, what value could antique furniture possibly have? During that particular historical period, antique furniture, considered part of the "Four Olds" (old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits), was not only not a treasure but also a source of trouble; it was destroyed without warning. Who would dare collect it? For these reasons, the early Ming and Qing furniture market had a large supply, low prices, and almost no fakes. After all, no one would be foolish enough to go to the trouble of creating worthless items. Therefore, early enthusiasts not only had extensive knowledge but also collected more genuine and high-quality pieces. When buying antique furniture, one should naturally consider the collections of these seasoned experts.

Money is the most unpredictable thing, and with the market booming, many unscrupulous individuals will try to profit from it. They might trick you into buying counterfeit goods today, only to abscond with your money the next day. Therefore, reputation within the industry is extremely important. It's crucial to find reputable trading points with a proven track record, ideally places where you can seek redress if problems arise. Generally, reputable sellers will offer quality assurance guarantees when shipping their goods.

Free up energy and space

First, beginners need to be willing to work hard and endure trouble. Looking at furniture, buying furniture, and moving furniture are all time-consuming and laborious tasks. Of course, there are now moving companies that offer much more convenience, but antique furniture is expensive, and it would be heartbreaking if the moving company damaged it. Therefore, many people still prefer to do it themselves. Moreover, with so much furniture at home, figuring out how to arrange it is also a headache.

Secondly, there's the issue of sufficient storage space. If you have ample space, you can certainly buy extensively; however, if space is limited, you should be selective in your antique furniture purchases, aiming for both collection and practicality. If you aspire to become a professional furniture collector and invest heavily, you'll need even more space, such as renting a warehouse or a vacant plot of land in the countryside. Of course, this primarily depends on your collecting achievements and the "degree" of your desired collection. In the early stages of collecting, if you only want to buy one or two aesthetically pleasing pieces that are usable and require minimal maintenance, storing them in a two-bedroom apartment is sufficient. However, if you want to pursue a complete collection and become a mid-level furniture collector, you might consider clearing out some useless, plywood furniture to make room for any beloved antique pieces you might encounter. If you're committed to developing your furniture collecting career in the future, then renting a suitable warehouse is essential.

Develop a suitable collection strategy

Collectors should determine the general scope and strategy of their collections based on their financial resources, professional knowledge, and collecting objectives.

Those with ample funds can prioritize top-tier, classic, and complete sets of antique furniture for collection and investment; those with limited funds can opt for mid-range sets; and those with very limited funds may prefer individual pieces. In short, never assume that a lack of funds precludes collecting; many people miss out on opportunities because they hesitate.

Once upon a time, there were two men obsessed with antique furniture, neither of whom were well-off. One, A, was determined to make money, hoping to buy any antique furniture he wanted once he had a fortune. The other, B, though also short of money, didn't want to watch others collect, so he started with small pieces and even damaged items, adopting a strategy of accumulating wealth gradually to support his own collection. Twenty years later, both were in their fifties. A had become a wealthy businessman, while B had become a renowned collector. One day, A and B reminisced about the past. A deeply regretted wasting those twenty years, feeling that although he now had the means to buy the furniture he loved, the passion he once had was gone forever, and the joy of collecting over those twenty years could never be bought back. There's a fashionable slogan now, "Live in the moment," which is truly insightful.