All About Antiques
Antique identification, valuation, and collecting reference.
Popular Guides
Antique Marks & Signatures: Complete Identification Guide
Complete guide to decoding maker marks on silver, porcelain, glass and furniture.
Antique Furniture Periods Chart (1600–1940)
Visual timeline of furniture styles with identification pictures.
Pewter vs Silver: 3 Simple Ways to Tell the Difference
Quick visual and magnet tests for identifying metal at home.
Best Online Antique Appraisal Sites (2026 Reviews)
Honest comparison of Mearto, WorthPoint and other appraisal services.
Best Antique Identifier Apps 2026: Head-to-Head Comparison
5 apps tested side-by-side for accuracy, speed and features.
Online Antique Valuation Tools for Collectors
Free digital resources to research and price your antique items.
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How to Identify Antique Mason Jars (The “Ball” Logo Evolution)
Read more: How to Identify Antique Mason Jars (The “Ball” Logo Evolution)To accurately date a Ball Mason jar, examine the cursive script logo. The rare “3-L” logo (with a decorative loop on the ‘B’) dates from 1900-1910. An underscore was added from 1910-1923, but dropped by 1933. Jars with a simple block letter style usually date after 1960, while the earliest “Buffalo” jars (1880s) command the…
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Antique Teapot Identification: Finding English Silver and Ceramic Marks
Read more: Antique Teapot Identification: Finding English Silver and Ceramic MarksAuthentic English antique teapots are identified by examining the base for specific hallmarks or backstamps. For silver, look for the Lion Passant (guaranteeing .925 sterling silver) and date letters. For ceramics, inspect the backstamp for maker names like Wedgwood or Spode, often accompanied by a Registry Diamond (used 1842–1883) to pinpoint the exact manufacturing date.…
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Carnival Glass Identification: How the Iridescence Reveals the Age
Read more: Carnival Glass Identification: How the Iridescence Reveals the AgeAuthentic antique Carnival Glass (1908–1930) is identified by its crisp pressed-glass patterns, a clear base color visible when held to light, and a fine satin iridescence—never oily or peeling—from makers like Fenton, Northwood, and Millersburg.
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Identifying Dresden Porcelain: Why the “Crown” Mark Matters
Read more: Identifying Dresden Porcelain: Why the “Crown” Mark MattersAuthentic Dresden porcelain is primarily identified by the blue crown mark, often accompanied by “Dresden” or “Saxony.” Unlike a single factory, this mark indicates the piece was decorated by specific studios in Dresden, Germany, usually after 1883. Look for hard-paste porcelain, elaborate Rococo hand-painting, and delicate applied flowers known as bocage. Not sure your crown…
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Fenton Glass Identification: How to Spot Rare Colors and Patterns
Read more: Fenton Glass Identification: How to Spot Rare Colors and PatternsAuthentic Fenton Art Glass (1905–2011) is primarily identified by the oval Fenton logo molded into the base (introduced in 1970) or paper labels on earlier pieces. Key identifiers include ruffled crimped edges, the iconic Hobnail pattern, and specific handle attachments. Unmarked pre-1970 pieces require attribution based on mold shapes and opalescent color quality. * Imagine…
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Valuing Blue Cobalt Glass: Why Some Pieces Sell for Thousands
Read more: Valuing Blue Cobalt Glass: Why Some Pieces Sell for ThousandsAuthentic antique cobalt glass is identified by its deep, rich blue color, created by adding cobalt oxide to molten glass. High-value pieces typically feature pontil marks on the base (indicating hand-blown origins), lack mold seams, and may carry signatures from makers like Tiffany, Steuben, or Fenton. Pieces from the 18th and early 19th centuries command…
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Antique Pottery Marks: A Beginner’s Guide to European Hallmarks
Read more: Antique Pottery Marks: A Beginner’s Guide to European HallmarksA beginner’s guide to European pottery marks: how to read marks from Meissen, Delft, Limoges, and more to identify your ceramics.
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Murano Glass Authenticity: Is That Sticker Real or a Counterfeit?
Read more: Murano Glass Authenticity: Is That Sticker Real or a Counterfeit?Authentic Murano glass can be identified by looking for imperfections like small air bubbles (pontil marks on the base) and the presence of specific consortium labels like the “Vetro Artistico® Murano” trademark (code 001-099). Genuine pieces feel heavy for their size, feature rich, non-painted colors, and often lack perfect symmetry, distinguishing them from mass-produced Chinese…
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How to Identify 19th Century Japanese Vases (Satsuma vs. Imari)
Read more: How to Identify 19th Century Japanese Vases (Satsuma vs. Imari)How to identify 19th-century Japanese vases: Satsuma vs Imari marks, glazes, and motifs, plus what each style is worth.
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Depression Glass Identification: 5 Patterns That are Actually Valuable
Read more: Depression Glass Identification: 5 Patterns That are Actually ValuableDepression glass identification relies on recognizing specific patterns, colors, and mold marks produced between 1929 and 1939. Authentic pieces often have minor flaws like straw marks or bubbles, which reproductions lack. To determine value, look for rare colors in patterns like Royal Lace (cobalt blue) or Cameo (green), checking for sharp mold lines and consistent…
