Antiqued Silver
How and Where to Collect Antiques and Collectables
Collecting antiques or collectables is limited to two factors, the amount of disposable income you have and indeed the amount of space you have to house your collection. Having predetermined these essential factors it then comes down to personal choice as to what to collect. You may start in many areas such as antique silver or collectable teddy bears or you may solely stick to one area like stamps or coin collecting. Indeed, many collectors of antiques stick to a even more rigid collecting regime such as only collecting 20th century ceramics from a particular company or designer such as Moorcroft or Clarice Cliff.
Once you have your collecting niche or niches decided the next thing to ponder is how are you going to increase your collection? Lets look at the traditional place to buy antiques and that is the bricks and mortar auction house. Firstly, you need to find your local auction houses, a quick search in the yellow pages or online should identify your local auctioneers. Most auction houses aim to hold around one auction a month, usually they have a viewing period of around a week before the auction sale takes place. They will also publish a sale guide listing all the lots that will be up for sale in the auction. It is a very good idea to go to auction house prior to the sale and view the items in the flesh. Just looking in the auction guide will not allow you to appreciate the item and it may not have accurately listed any flaws. Once you have been to a viewing day you can then mark the items of interest in your auction guide. The auction guide will also give you a auction estimate of what they think the item will sell for. It is a good idea to write next to this, the highest amount you are prepared to pay and stick to this. On the day of the auction make sure you get there on time as they always start promptly and they won’t wait for you if you are running late. Now, the most important part is to keep to your budget as auction fever can often have you paying far more than you originally intended. Make sure you bid clearly so the auctioneer can spot your bid, and hopefully you will be the winning bidder on some or all of your wish list. Don’t forget once you have bought the item you will have to pay the auctioneers commission, this can be anything from 10-15% of the final sales figure.
Another place to buy antiques or collectables is from antique shops or fairs. By buying in a antiques shop you are often paying a retail price for the item. However, a good antiques dealer will be knowledgeable about the piece and should give you good advice. Fairs are very much like antiques shops but on a larger scale. Prices do tend to be a little cheaper than a antiques shop as there is a lot more competition for your cash on the day. Antique shops and fairs are often a good starting point for a novice collector as you can get useful advice and take your time over your purchase rather than the often nerve racking, fast paced auctions. One thing to remember to do is ask for a discount, dealers expect this and will not be offended. When the dealer gives the price a good rule of thumb is to offer him around 60% of that price and they will usually meet around the middle, thus giving you a 20-25% discount, leaving you some spare pennies for your next piece.
Finally, the place to pick up bargain antiques and collectables is car boot and table top sales. It is important to note that most sellers at car boot sales are there to clear unwanted items from their house and not to sell antiques, therefore you will get little to no advice about the item and no refunds are given if it turns out it is not what you thought it was. You will have to sift through, DVD’s, clothes, power tools and toys to find the antiques but don’t give up as they are out there. If you spot a antique or collectable ask the seller for a price and again haggle and come to an agreed amount. Car boots are now attracting more and more dealers who know what they have got and what it is worth. Therefore it is often worth avoiding these sellers initially and try and find the one off seller who is clearing granny’s loft. You can pick up absolute bargains at car boots, giving you a low cost way of starting your collection. A lot of people will sell there less desirable antiques they have picked up from car boots to fund new purchases from auctions and antiques shops.
Collecting antiques and collectables is fun and gets you out and about hunting for that bargain or getting your hands on that special piece for your collection. Where and however you decide to start your collection, remember this piece of advice, only pay what you can afford to pay, buy what you like and buy quality.
About the Author
Chris Farnworth has been a antiques dealer for several years and is the owner of the specialist online auction www.antiquesattic.co.uk Chris’s extensive knowledge of antiques and collectables is apparent in the creation of the website which is the place to buy and sell all manner of antiques and collectables.
Hint Jewelry Design: How to Antique Silver Metal Clay Charms
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Leaf Charm 6 Large Feather Leaves Jewelry Finding Bead Antiqued Silver Plated $4.49 |
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Leaf Charm 12 Feather Leaves Jewelry Finding Bead Antiqued Silver Plated $5.24 |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Snowflake Charm Winter 15mm $7.15 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Ball Earring Hooks 18mm (10 Pair $4.25 |
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Punk Antiqued Silver Spike Rivet Finger Ring US7 Stretchy Gothic Death Fashion $0.99 |
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New Premier Designs EXPRESSIONS Earrings Rhinestones Silver Antiqued Black $10.99 |
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Kitsch Paper Airplane Antiqued Silver Tone Necklace $15.78 |
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Western Antiqued Silver Maltese Gold Star Concho’s (6) $17.95 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Curved Lobster Clasps 14.5mm (6) $3.99 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Rope Edge Square Bezel Pendant 20.5mm (1) $4.45 |
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Antiqued Brass~Silver Swirl Long Kidney Wire Earrings-Petite $0.99 |
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ANTIQUED SILVER CRYSTAL HEART NECKLACE EARRING SET 5869 $22.49 |
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Vintage Style 1.5″ Oval Owl Locket Pendant Antiqued Silver 30″ Long Necklace $13.94 |
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Silver Antiqued Fork Spoon Knife Set Charms … FREE SHIP … (LOT of 8 sets) $9.99 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Krinkle Chain 2mm By The Foot $1.89 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Rope Edge Rectangle Bezel Pendant 20.5mm (1) $4.45 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Square Bezel Pendant 24mm (1) $4.45 |
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Center star bottles on a bic lighter case plated antiqued silver fits a 3″ bic $10.79 |
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60pcs Antiqued silver smooth heart charm FC9079 $2.30 |
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STERLING SILVER REFLECTIONS GEMINI ZODIAC ANTIQUED BEAD $30.99 |
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Sterling Silver Stackable Expression Citrine Antiqued Gemstone Ring .21 tcw $29.75 |
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Sterling Silver Stackable Expression Citrine Antiqued Gemstone Ring .21 tcw $29.75 |
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Sterling Silver Stackable Expression Citrine Antiqued Gemstone Ring .21 tcw $29.75 |
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Sterling Silver Stackable Expression Citrine Antiqued Gemstone Ring .21 tcw $29.75 |
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Sterling Silver Stackable Expression Citrine Antiqued Gemstone Ring .21 tcw $29.75 |
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Sterling Silver Stackable Expression Citrine Antiqued Gemstone Ring .21 tcw $29.75 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Large Hole Spacer Tube Bead Bali Squiggles 5.5mm (2) $2.99 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Large Hole Spacer Bead Openwork Vine Design 9.5mm (2) $3.66 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Paw Print On Heart Charm 16mm X1 $3.45 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Large Hole Spacer Bead Bali Style 6.5mm (2) $3.35 |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Praying Hands Medal – S1308H $29.99 |
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Antiqued Silver Eagle Claw Bangle Bracelet Cuff Punk Gothic Fashion Jewelry $5.49 |
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40 Keys Wholesale Bulk Lot Steampunk Antiqued Silver Skeleton Key Charms Jewelry $6.99 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Large Hole Channel Bead Core 6mm (1 Bead) $3.35 |
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10 Charms Wholesale Lot Steampunk Antiqued Silver Wing Charm Pendants Jewelry $4.99 |
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2pcs antiqued silver noble key pendant h0007 $5.50 |
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Avon Faux Marcasite Amethyst Antiqued Silver Tone Necklace Pendant 33″ Chain $12.99 |
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12pcs antiqued silver frog pendant h0009 $5.50 |
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50 Antiqued Silver Filigree Cut Out Round Beads 6MM $3.35 |
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10pc antiqued silver hollow flower cabochon setting G90 $5.99 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Collage Bezel Rectangle 2-Loop Pendant 36mm $7.49 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Ornate Oval Bezel Pendant 21mm (1) $4.45 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Buddha Stainless Steel Necklace $11.25 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Buddha Stainless Steel Necklace $11.25 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Buddha Stainless Steel Necklace $11.25 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Buddha Stainless Steel Necklace $11.25 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Buddha Stainless Steel Necklace $11.25 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Buddha Stainless Steel Necklace $11.25 |
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Antiqued Silver Plated Buddha Stainless Steel Necklace $11.25 |
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pkg of 1 ANTIQUED STERLING SILVER 9x4MM ICEPICK BAIL $3.59 |
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Antiqued Style Silver Tone Alloy Leaf Bird Pendants Charms 47*32*2mm 20PCS $6.99 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED SCROLLED FLORAL CUFF $59.64 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED HERD OF HORSES CUFF BRACELET (NICKEL FR $140.63 |
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STERLING SILVER ANTIQUED EUROPEAN CHARM BEAD -PA718 $3.25 |
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Antiqued Silver Peacock Multi Sequin Chandelier Earring. $1.36 |
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Lucky bird. vintage Antiqued Silver 10 swallows birds necklace pendant. $1.25 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED LOBSTER CHARM $10.05 |
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Sterling Silver LARGE ANTIQUED GECKO CHARM $30.73 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED HORSESHOE W/ HORSE HEAD CHARM $18.17 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED FOUR CHARM LUCKY PENNY HOLDER $6.69 |
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Sterling Silver LARGE ANTIQUED FOOTBALL CHARM $23.77 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED “ITS A GIRL” CHARM $10.12 |
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Antiqued Silver Punk Metal 3D Unicorn Pegasus Flying Horse Stud Earring $4.24 |
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50 Antiqued Silver Round Floral Beads Spacers B010 $6.99 |
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ANTHROPOLOGIE JEWELRY NECKLACE SILVER WITH ANTIQUED COPPER GREEN LEAF FEATHER $5.99 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED DETAILED FISH CHARM $11.76 |
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15 Antiqued Silver Floral Swirl Heart Beads 19mm B012 $6.99 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED OVAL CHECKERED FLAGS CHARM $9.38 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED 3D STANDING CARIBOU CHARM $16.21 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED 3D WALKING BEAR CHARM $10.36 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED NUTCRACKER CHARM $9.17 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED 3-D PYRAMID CHARM $16.87 |
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Sterling Silver LARGE ANTIQUED COMPUTER CHARM $11.24 |
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Sterling Silver LARGE ANTIQUED HORSE HEAD PENDANT $55.62 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED RUNNING HORSE PENDANT $39.52 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED AQUARIUS “FRIENDLY” DISC CHARM $9.91 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED CANCER “IMAGINATIVE” DISC CHARM $9.91 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED LIBRA “CHARMING” DISC CHARM $9.43 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED BOLD “2008″ CHARM $7.46 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED VERTICAL “2010″ CHARM $7.25 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED FROGGIE SITTING ON THE MOON CHARM (NIC $8.86 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED G CLEF CHARM $8.75 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED “I HEART TENNIS ” WITH TENNIS BALL CHAR $8.37 |
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Sterling Silver 3D ANTIQUED LACROSSE STICK CHARM $6.86 |
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Sterling Silver 3D ANTIQUED GREYHOUND DOG CHARM $16.87 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED “MEXICO” MAP CHARM $13.02 |
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Antiqued Silver Turquoise Sea Beaded Necklace ER Set $24.00 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED FILIGREE BAND W/ 9X7 OVAL AMBER STONE S Sz 7 $21.14 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Rectangle Raised Bezel Pendant 1 3/16 Inch $7.89 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Collage Bezel Square Framed Pendant 15/16 in. $7.49 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Circle Raised Tag Pendant Link 1 1/4 Inch $7.89 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Vertical Oval Raised Bezel Pendant 1 1/2 Inch $7.89 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Rectangle Raised Tag Pendant 1 1/4 Inch $7.89 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Rectangle Raised Bezel Pendant Link 1 3/16″ $7.89 |
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Nunn Design Antiqued Silver Plated Circle Raised Tag Pendant Link 1/2 Inch $4.99 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED AMBER SUN PENDANT $26.36 |
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Sterling Silver ANTIQUED FAIRY WITH VINES FRENCH WIRE EARRINGS ( $43.82 |
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Vintage Antique BEAUTIFUL Antiqued Silver Marble Blue Center Floral Brooch BR017 $3.99 |
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45pcs Antiqued silver feet charm FC10163 $2.99 |
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Sterling Silver ONE SIDE COMEDY & ONE SIDE TRAGEDY ANTIQUED POST $7.46 |
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Antiqued Silver and Gold Mirror $348 -Antiqued silver and gold mirror with beveled edges. |
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Molise Antiqued Silver Mirror $1468 This ornate, oversized mirror frame has a lightly antiqued silver leaf finish. Mirror features a generous 1 1/4″ bevel. |
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Grace Feyock 13776 Searcy Antiqued Silver Champagne $420.42 Antiqued silver champagne finish with matte black details and an antiqued mirrored background. |
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Wall Mirror with Carved Detail in Antiqued Silver Finish $319.65 Wall Mirror with Carved Detail in Antiqued Silver Finish |
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Wall Mirror with Accent Frame in Antiqued Silver Finish $266.85 Wall Mirror with Accent Frame in Antiqued Silver Finish |
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Billy Moon 19502 Dahy#44; Statues#44; S2 Antiqued Silver. $225.94 Features an antiqued silver finish. Sizes: Sm11x14x6 Lg20x13x5. Antiqued Silver. |
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Cotulo Antiqued Silver Wall Mirror $905 -This oversized mirror features a frame made of twisted metal vines finished in antiqued silver leaf. |
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Grace Feyock 12795 Fontana Antiqued Silver Leaf $326.04 Decorative hand forged metal frame finished in antiqued silver leaf with burnished details. May be hung horizontal or vertical. Antiqued Silver Leaf With Burnished Details. |
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Grace Feyock 06681 Delevan Antiqued Silver Leaf $268.84 Features an open design and made of hand forged metal finished in antiqued silver leaf with burnished edges. Quartz movement. Antiqued Silver Leaf With Burnished Edges. |
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Grace Feyock 13581 B Kimani Antiqued Silver $426.14 Frame is finished in antiqued silver with burnished details and features numerous small accent mirrors. Center mirror is beveled. Antiqued Silver With Burnished Details. |
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Piomba Antiqued Silver Table Lamp $292 Antiqued silver metal accented with burnished wood toned details. The rectangle straight sided shade is a coarse weave khaki linen fabric. |
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Maggia Antiqued Silver Table Lamp $219 Heavily antiqued silver leaf finish with a rottenstone glaze, burnished edges and champagne highlights. The rectangle bell shade is a silken light champagne fabric. |
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Stronetta Antiqued Silver Table Lamp $204 Antiqued silver leaf finish with a light verdigris glaze and crackled dark bronze details. The oval semi drum shade is an oatmeal linen fabric with natural slubbing. |
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Folium Antiqued Silver Table Lamp $194 Heavily antiqued silver leaf finish with burnished distressing and a dark gray wash. The oval semi drum shade is an off white linen fabric with light slubbing. |
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Capricia Antiqued Silver Table Lamp $243 Antiqued silver finish with dark bronze accents and crackled black details. The rectangle straight sided shade is a silken chocolate bronze fabric with natural slubbing. |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Chimpanzee Charm $53.3 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver ANTIQUED CHIMPANZEE CHARM |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Rooster Charm $40.89 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver ANTIQUED ROOSTER CHARM |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Sanddollar Pendant $30.94 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver ANTIQUED SANDDOLLAR PENDANT |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Pentagram Charm $39.2 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver ANTIQUED PENTAGRAM CHARM |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Football Charm $60.39 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver ANTIQUED FOOTBALL CHARM |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Dragonfly Charm $31.98 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver ANTIQUED DRAGONFLY CHARM |
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Sterling Silver Antiqued Gorilla Charm $39.59 Plum Island Silver Company is a leading supplier of Sterling Silver Jewelry. We have one of the largest selections of Sterling Silver Jewelry in the world. Our customer service is unexcelled. Give us a try and see why we are America s Favorite Sterling Silver Supplier . Sterling silver ANTIQUED GORILLA CHARM |
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Billy Moon 29537 Celestina Heavily Antiqued Silver $225.94 Metal sphere finished in heavily antiqued silver with black undertones and a dark bronze foot. The round bell shade is a silver taupe fabric with natural slubbing. Heavily Antiqued Silver With Black Undertones And A Dark Bronze Foot. |
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David Frisch 292821 Ciriaco Lightly Antiqued Silver $163.02 Lightly antiqued silver finish with matte black details. The tall box shade is a silken silver champagne fabric. |
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Barletta Antiqued Silver Table Lamp $199 -Antiqued silver leaf finish with a brown crackled foot, rusty black rope detail and cast aluminum accents. -The square bell with round top shade is silken golden bronze textile with a wavy pattern and multiple layers of trim. |
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Barletta Antiqued Silver Buffet Lamp $189 -Antiqued silver leaf finish with a brown crackled foot, rusty black rope detail and cast aluminum accents. -The square bell with round top shade is silken golden bronze textile with a wavy pattern and multiple layers of trim. |
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Diveria Antiqued Silver Table Lamp $219 Textured base finished in an antiqued silver champagne leaf with black distressing and a taupe gray glaze. The oval semi drum shade is a silken golden champagne linen fabric. |
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Vento Antiqued Silve Mirror $366 Frame is made of hand forged metal finished in a lightly antiqued silver leaf with burnished accents. |