Had he not been a great detective, Sherlock Holmes would have made an excellent appraiser.
His crime-solving skills are exactly the ones needed by a good antiques appraiser: keen observation and logical deduction.
Antiques enthusiasts who use Sherlock Holmes' approach when shopping for antiques will consistently find the best buys and avoid being "ripped off" by unscrupulous dealers.
This approach is easy to use once the basics are learned.
It's a three step approach: first, have the necessary tools; then observe the fine details of your subject; and finally compare what you find to what you know (or can find out).
The Tools of the Trade Sherlock was seldom without his magnifying glass.
Appraisers, too, carry a magnifying glass or a jeweler's loupe.
Magnification is useful in studying small details: maker's marks, brush strokes, tool and machine marks, screws and fasteners.
A flashlight is also handy, because it is often hard to see into the recesses of cabinets or to inspect objects in poor lighting.
The size of an object can help determine if it is original, so it is important to carry a measuring tape.
Magnets are especially useful in detecting replacement hardware, so keep a magnet in your pocket.
Lastly, a small thin-bladed knife will allow an appraiser to probe into loose cabinet joints or scrape through small layers of paint.
Lastly, have a notepad and a pencil for writing down details and making sketches and a camera for taking photos.
Observe the Fine Details Sherlock Holmes had a remarkable ability to notice small details that no one else noticed.
It was usually the small details that led to the crime being solved.
Appraisers spend much time examining the objects they are appraising, because sometimes it is a small detail that will uncover a fake.
To examine an object like an appraiser does, take your time.
Examine the object from all angles: above, below, and from both sides.
If the item is large, stand back and look at it from a distance.
Get the overall picture, and then look closer for the details.
Note the color, size, materials, decorations, signatures, maker's marks, and quality of workmanship.
Open drawers and doors, lift lids and turn handles.
Are there signs of wear? How is it made? What are the object's dimensions? Are there seams in the glass or porcelain? If you are inspecting furniture, how are the joints made, and what fasteners are used? What condition is it in? Have repairs been made? Are there parts missing? Use your notepad to jot down what you find and take a photo of anything you think might be significant.
Compare Your Findings to the Known Facts Once you have thoroughly examined your object, it is time to compare your findings to the facts known about the genuine object.
This comparison is the "final analysis" which will tell you whether your object is genuine or fake and what it may be worth.
The four questions that need to be answered at this stage are: Are my findings consistent with the materials and manufacturing techniques used on the genuine article? For example, if you examined a purported Philadelphia highboy and found machine-made dovetail joints in the drawers, you would be looking at a reproduction, not an original.
What is the condition? Old objects will show signs of wear; finishes will break down and joints and mechanical parts will loosen.
Items in particularly poor condition don't bring much money.
How rare is the object? Just because an object is old doesn't mean it is valuable.
Value is a matter of supply and demand.
Old objects that are commonplace or that nobody wants won't be worth very much.
Rare, in-demand objects will bring a healthy price.
Is the object priced fairly? With the details you have collected you can quickly check online sources to see what similar items in comparable condition are selling for.
The Bottom Line Valuing antiques like an appraiser will help collectors identify and value antiques more accurately, locate the best buys, and avoid being "ripped off".