The experts at Rhode Island Antiques Mall share their knowledge and experience on a variety of topics around antiques and collectibles. Fun and insightful reading for everyone interested in antiques from the serious collector to the hobbyist.
While predecessors to what we know as today’s automobile were being developed as early as the 1600s, the first modern automobile with an internal combustion engine was produced by Karl Benz in 1888. Ever since, many folks have had a
Let’s start out with a question that many people think they know the answer to: Who invented the lightbulb, and when? If your answer was Thomas Edison around 1880, then you’re off by a country mile. The first lightbulb was
RIAM does several estate or downsizing house calls per week, and while each visit is unique, one thing remains remarkably consistent. In preparation for the visit, virtually everyone covers their dining room table with dozens of pieces of unwanted glassware.
One of the big lures of antique hunting and ownership is the memories they help us recall and recreate. For most of us, special holiday moments with family and friends are among our warmest and most cherished memories. Somehow all
One of the most commonly misunderstood categories of antiques is books. Once again, it all comes down to the law of supply and demand. Considering just how many books there are in the world (how many have you bought in
Generally speaking, collectibles are mass-manufactured items made and marketed for the express purpose of being collected. Usually, they serve no purpose aside from filling an otherwise empty china or curio cabinet, but that never seems to stop folks from buying
As a high-volume antiques dealer, the vast majority of what RIAM sells comes out of homes. Our staff makes multiple house calls a week, and many of the people we visit are senior citizens or folks nearing retirement age. People
Chances are that you have old pieces of furniture that you think might be valuable. Perhaps they were passed down to you, or you purchased them second-hand. In this post, we’ll provide you with some guidelines to determine if your
One of the most frequently asked questions in the world of antiques is simply “what is an antique?” To some extent the answer is contextual. If you ask the U.S. Customs office, they’ll tell you that it’s anything that was
With relevant college degrees and nearly 100 years of collective experience covering a broad range of art, antiques and collectibles – RIAM’s appraisers and experts can help you with your questions.
Submit your questions on anything from an object you can’t identify to how to care, collect, clean or restore your antiques. Your question might be the subject of a future article from our experts!
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