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The Hot 5 - What to Collect in 2007
Whether chasing the elusive five-clawed dragon or seeking the increasingly rare fruit of a wild oyster bed, there is something for every interest on this year’s list of must-haves
BY
Heather Lauren Quiroga

1. Pearls

We don them for our most solemn and meaningful occasions as easily as for a casual lunch. They conjure up images of the roaring twenties when strung long, and the Kennedy White House years when on a classic, short strand. They are, perhaps, the most worldly and democratic of adornments—favored by 18th- and 19th-century Native Americans who gathered them along the Mississippi River, medieval English royalty, and the ancient Romans alike. Traditional Oriental practices use ground pearls for everything from epilepsy treatments to aphrodisiacs. Is it any wonder we are perpetually captivated by this coveted little bead?

The modern technique of injecting oysters with an irritant to produce a cultured pearl is now commonplace. Meanwhile, natural-born pearls are becoming increasingly rare and difficult to acquire. Sadly, the world’s wild oyster beds are disappearing at alarming rates, making new and old natural pearls extremely collectible. Finding the elusive natural pearl can be a tricky endeavor, since it is estimated that 99 percent of pearls in today’s market are cultured. Only an x-ray can reveal whether a pearl is natural or cultured, since natural pearls consist of 100 percent nacra (the actual “pearl” material) and cultured pearls are composed of implanted nacra-covered beads. Demand proof of a bona fide gemological x-ray to assure that the pearl you choose is a natural fit for your collection.

2. Architectural Hardware

The adage “when one door closes, another opens” rings true—both literally and figuratively—each time a historic structure is torn down and its valuable elements are sold as salvaged material. Homeowners seek everything from the door itself to knobs, hinges, plates, mail slots and even doorbells. Reclaiming woodwork, fireplace surrounds, light fixtures and any other element that can be removed is not a new practice. Lately, however, the market for antique hardware has exploded. In the past, interest in these goods came mostly from owners of older homes hoping to achieve a historically accurate restoration. The market now includes builders and owners of new-build homes as well. Antique hardware dealer H. Weber Wilson’s website, webwilson.com, provides the perfect embellishments for your otherwise ordinary doors. Wilson, who once sold a remarkable doorknob for $8,500, offers something to fit any budget. Not sure what style best complements your home? Wilson wrote the book “Antique Hardware Price Guide” (Kraus Publications)—on everything you ever wanted to know about antique hardware. In Denver, look for antique hardware at Grandpa Snazzy’s, (303) 778 6508 or Queen City Architectural Salvage, (303) 296-0925.

3. World Textiles

Woven works that were once abundant and inexpensive are becoming highly collectible as the market recognizes the importance of handmade crafts in an increasingly machine-made world. Antique textiles created for a practical purpose are finding a new identity and value as art. A recent exhibition in Paris coupled works by artists Paul Klee, Georges Noel and Bradley Walker Tomlin with the surprisingly modern, antique textiles of Zaire’s Kuba people. Textiles—functional, decorative, or both—represent almost every geographical and historical place where humans have lived. It is common to collect antique pieces, textiles from a specific region or a specific type of object (rugs or clothing, for example). Or, follow your whim. Do you prefer certain colors or patterns? Would you like objects made by women? Your collection can be as unique and individual as your point of view.

Here are a few geographically inspired suggestions to add the "wow factor" to your world textile collection:

Javanese Batik
Folk Embroidery from Macedonia
Bolivian Ponchos
African Bamana Mudcloth
Modern Folk Art Tapestries from Egypt
19th-Century African American Quilts

Many cultures have equated weaving or spinning with giving life. In the American Southwest, native legend includes Grandmother Spider Woman--a figure who "spins all life from the shimmering threads in her belly." Fittingly, one of the best sources for the world's most interesting textiles is only a weekend trip-away. Santa Fe's TAI Gallery of Textile Arts, (505) 984-1387, is a world-class resource for notable and collectible examples from Peru, Indonesia, Africa, Asia and India. Take a virtual tour of their latest online exhibits at textilearts.com.

4. Craftsman Furnishings

If you are waiting for the popularity of craftsman furniture (aka mission, arts-and-crafts) to diminish, you will have to wait a long time. Rooted in the English arts-and-crafts movement, our American interpretation is derived from historic California missions (which are based on Spanish architecture) and the bungalow style that is the feather in the cap of many of Colorado’s historic neighborhoods. One barometer of interest in furniture styles is the semi-annual High Point furniture market, the largest event of its kind in the world. Last spring, several manufacturers offered craftsman and mission lines, while others introduced authentic reproductions, such as Copeland Furniture’s Frank Lloyd Wright designs and the Greene and Greene-inspired pieces of Stickley’s Pasadena Bungalow Collection. The savvy collector will go to the source to find period examples on which these marvels of modern manufacture are based. Though the pieces by well-known designers command high prices, works by the lesser known and unattributed antique pieces “in the style of” the major players can be acquired within more modest budget guidelines.

5. Chinese Furnishings

China’s increased global presence has spurred unprecedented Western interest in Chinese culture, along with numerous museum exhibitions around the world. San Francisco, home to one of China’s largest international communities, boasts a world class Asian Art Museum, which recently spotlighted classical ceramics, textiles, paintings and ornaments. Contemporary collectors are captivated with Chinese art, and the ripple effect on antique collectors is notable. Now is a good time to think about how a collection might take shape, or perhaps you will simply enhance an already eclectic room with a carefully chosen piece. Either way, learning about and acquiring Chinese antiques requires more than a brief primer for the burgeoning collector. Working with a knowledgeable dealer will set you on the right path to finding the pieces that speak to you.

Here are a few tips and terms to keep in mind when collecting Chinese antiques:

* Joinery and craftsmanship is something the Chinese have perfected over thousands of years. A Chinese antique may not be seriously valued unless it was crafted three centuries ago or earlier. Generally, the furnishings can be divided into two categories: classical (refined and made of best quality woods) and country (more crudely crafted, with regionally specific details). Country pieces are more abundant than classical pieces, making them less expensive to acquire. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) is considered the "Golden Age" of Chinese decorative arts, and collectors pay dearly for quality pieces hailing from this period.

* Lacquered finishes are an ancient Chinese (and Japanese) technique of layering natural varnish over material, often wood, to produce a deep, lustrous finish. Look for black or red lacquer with gilt or polychrome decoration and mother-of-pearl or ivory inlay. Duanwen, the crackling that occurs in old lacquer, is a prized characteristic of Chinese antiques.

* Metal fittings are commonly found in the form of hinges, lockplates, handles and decorative embellishments. Original fittings are prized, though well-matched newer ones are not uncommon--especially in extremely old pieces--and may not detract significantly from the value.

* Decorative motifs often reveal clues of an antique's origin. In Chinese furniture, complex, repeated patterns usually point to the 18th century or later. The Chinese lion (sometimes called the Foo Dog) and the dragon are common themes, while the five-clawed dragon refers specifically to a connection with the Imperial household.