Asian antiques reflect the beauty and culture of Asia. Rich cultures and traditions were carefully carved into and represent Asian antiques.  Known for their high level of craftsmanship and colorful culture, Asian antiques are sought after and often quite pricy.

Asian artisans are known for their craftsmanship, hard work and passion in making these quality products, often handed down from generation to generation.  These beautiful artifacts when properly cared for can be priceless. Asian antiques are very popular around the world and especially in the United States where not only are they sought after for home décor, but also by collectors, commonly referred to as Antiquarians.

The popularity of Asian antiques has lead to better availability, but buyer beware, there are a lot of good replicas and fakes out there and plenty of imposters out there trying to sell them to you.

Be sure to purchase your antiques from a reputable dealer or store. If you are a collector and want to ensure what you are getting is the real deal, do your research and confirm the object is indeed and original.

Find out as much as you can about the dealer selling the item. Do they have a street address that’s a real storefront or are they strictly selling their wares on the internet?   Ask they where they get their pieces from, and if the piece comes with any form of paper documentation of authenticity. Google the dealers name with the keywords “forgery” or “fake” and see if you get any hits.

Last but not least, know the dealers return policy.  Guarantees of authenticity are great, but know what the dealer expects from you if you wish to return your purchase.

How do you go about authenticating the item you want to buy?   First, check out the dealer who is selling you the item.    Check out references, Google them, and contact the Better Business Bureau to see if they’re received any negative feedback.    Find out how long they have been in business and if they have a history of good customer service.

Compare the item you want to buy with other known original examples.  Do a Google search and see if the same product is being sold by other antique dealers or art importers.  Search completed auctions on websites such as Sothebys.com and Artifact.com.

Be on the lookout for red flags.  If something seems too good to be true, it most likely is.   Follow your instincts and walk away if things don’t seem to be as they should.   Examine the object you are interested in purchasing.  If it’s a carved object, there should be knife nicks, if it’s an old antique it should show signs of wear and tear even if meticulously cared for.   Wooden carved objects should darken with age, learn how to detect real age from artificial coatings that mimic age.   Real silver is always hallmarked, so be sure to look for that.  Learn how to identify real porcelain.

If you are seeking Asian antiques for your home and are not really concerned with authenticity, there are plenty of stores that carry good looking replicas at a very good prices.