Dan's Papers - June 22, 2007 - The Far East Meets the East End

Where the Far East meets the East End, yes ladies and gentlemen, Oriental antiques are fabulous in the Hamptons. From rugs to jewelry, jade to sculptured wood, these antiques are quite unique. Each piece embodies strength of character, balancing both tradition and simplicity. Oriental antiques create a peaceful state and can enrapture one in the beauty that it illuminates. Oriental antiques can serve as great accents to any decor or design. Just one or two pieces can create a soothing and appealing touch to your home. Also, an antique piece of art or furnishing can bring character to a room. Not only is the craftsmanship exceptional and enchanting, but each piece also has a deeper, symbolic meaning. The artistic element of oriental antiques is marked with a story or symbol that usually correlates to something positive. Researching your antique and discovering its meaning can be stimulating. It serves as a great conversation piece, too. Think outside the box, not everything needs to be used for the purpose intended. For example, a rice or low grain basket can be used as a serving tray, or even an authentic oriental garden bench can be used as an end or coffee table. These are just a few ways to incorporate oriental antiques into a contemporary lifestyle.

These antiques come from over thirty different cultures across Asia. Just think of all the diversity that can be found with pieces from various time periods, all with different meanings. For example, an oriental antique that you have could possibly date back to the Ming or Quin Dynasties, or the Bauhaus of the 1920s. The most commonly distributed antiques are those from China, Japan, Indonesia, India and Burma. You can find a variety of antiques originating from these cultures on the Internet, or even in flea markets if you are venturous. Antiques from other countries may be more difficult to get your hands on, but with the right state of mind anything is possible.

Today, there is a high demand for small pendants and jade pieces because the intricate detail is so hard to reproduce. This makes it easier to distinguish the authenticity of the piece. The fine detail in itself is an artistic wonder, which distinctly separates reproduced oriental items from actual antiques. For instance, you will find that a true oriental antique rug is one of a kind. The fabrics are specifically colored using vegetable dyes.

Here are some extra tips when trying to distinguish authentic oriental antiques from reproduced:

There is a distinct coloration difference between a reproduced item and an antique. For example, an authentic table's color should be faded and the glaze on the vases can vary from top to bottom, from little control using a handcrafting system. In the case of dishes, newer plates are lightweight, while antiques are thicker and irregularly shaped. Reproduced pieces are smoother because they are manufactured by machine. The true antique has a sort of undulation from being handcrafted. As for brass pieces, reproduced items have no imperfections, while antiques have spots where there is pitting, due to the use of old handcrafting methods. In wood pieces, look for rounded wormholes. If there is a crevice present rather than a hole the item has probably been reproduced or replaced in some way and is not authentic. Having an original piece is so much more significant and the quality is just indescribable. So don't be fooled and use these tips, as they can be extremely useful. If you are on the edge of real or fake, you can always do a little research on specific items, just to make sure.