Paintings are the first thing which come to mind when someone refers to antique art. This is because antique paintings have a special charm and really give the finishing touch to a room. Paintings are a wonderful way to personalize your home, make great gifts and are always in vogue.

Antique 17th Century Italian Oil Painting

Paintings in oil are thought to have originated in Europe, oil paints were used by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians. It was found that different textures and colors could be employed in this medium.

Somtimes the frames used for oil paintings are more impressive than the paintings themselves. Framing began in the 16th century and from the 17th century onwards many frames for oil paintings were gilt, that is covered in gold leaf, or finished in silver to give the appearance of gold. This gold leaf was attached by oil gilt with a combination of water gilt.

Antique English Pychely Hunt Prints

Decorative antique paintings show timeless beauty providing a link with the past and sometimes great financial reward for the owners. Every oil painting is a unique impression of the world as the artist sees it.

Oil paintings can be corrected and altered as the artist works as oil takes a long time to dry. This is not the case with water colors which dry very quickly.

Oil paintings can really make a difference to one’s decor. Oil paintings or wall hangings can transform a room and be used as a reminder of special occasions or friends. Oil paintings are usually done on canvas stretched over a wooden frame.

www.oldplank.com has an extensive range of antique paintings in different styles that appeal to many different tastes. Enjoy the feel of this rich and wonderful art form, bringing warmth and tradition to one’s home.

These antique paintings vary in price depending on their age and condition; vintage oil paintings tend to be less expensive but overall condition is important. Careful restoration often enhances the value of old paintings in excess of the cost of restoration.

There is always a place for antique oil paintings and one can find them at affordable prices making it possible to have them as part of your home decor. They can also be hung in the office or work area where they are always appreciated.

China cabinets were created during the era of King William and Queen Mary (1689-1702) in England and the practice of storing items in glazed cabinets started in the 18th century. These antique china cabinets have been put to use as bookcases, display cabinets and general storage. An Antique China Cabinet is the perfect place to display collectibles and are most commonly made from oak, walnut and mahogany. These china cabinets are available in many different styles and sometimes have mirrored backs to enhance the appearance of the contents.

During the 19th century, free standing glazed Antique China Cabinets  were made in the styles of  Chippendale, Sheraton, and Hepplewhite . Most of these antique china cabinets were glazed on three sides, raised from the floor on tall, narrow, straight legs.

Antique China Cabinets reflect personal taste and create a focal point that draws attention to the contents and promotes closer inspection. There are many options to consider when choosing an antique or vintage china cabinet and they are available in a number of wood species: for example, an antique mahogany china cabinet, vintage Spanish china cabinet, antique Napoleon III china cabinet  etc. These Antique china cabinets retain their outward beauty and their structural integrity.

All these antique and vintage china cabinets have different characteristics like the type and degree of carving, the shape of the moldings and crown, the style of door panels and whether the glass is beveled or not. They usually have adjustable shelves and other nice features like wooden peg construction and hand dovetailed drawers. Whatever your taste, there are Antique China Cabinets for everyone.

Here are some examples of antique and vintage china cabinets:

Vintage Mahogany China Cabinet

Vintage mahogany china cabinet in the Louis XVI style with three curved glass sides, glass shelves and mirrored back.

Vintage Mahogany China Cabinet

A Louis XVI style mahogany vitrine with a curved and shaped marble top above glazed doors and an interior mirrored back. The interior space features shelves and rests above a raised and paneled plinth with hidden storage space. Raised panels on the plinth are accented with egg-and-dart and bronze banding. The piece rests on fluted and tapered feet Legs, height of 64 inches, depth of 15 inches, and length of 57 inches.  Circa 1940, France.

Vintage Spanish China Cabinet

A nicely scaled, heavily carved vintage Spanish solid oak vitrine with beveled glass, strap hinges, a mirrored back and carved paw feet: the perfect piece to display your collectibles. This cabinet is in excellent original condition and requires only shelves, you can choose mirrored or glass shelves, Spain circa 1930.

These antique and vintage china cabinets reflect a variety of ways to display attractive items and enhance the appearance of your home. Whatever the style of your home, there is a storage solution in these indispensible cabinets.

Want to know about french antique gilt mirrors that allows people a glimpse into the future pretty often.

Long before glass mirrors are made of metal like copper, bronze, silver, tin etc. In early 17th- and 18th-century the value of a mirror was the ultimate status symbol and subject of antique mirrors is a huge one. Most antique gilt mirrors will have some restoration work with so many designs, periods, styles and tastes. This antique glass mirror was a mark of refinement, power, wealth and self confidence.

There couldn’t have been anything of value in the house without one. These mirrors create the room’s focal point, capturing the elegance of times past is a special overtime. These beautiful antique gilt mirrors would enhance any room in your home with what ever style you are looking for.

With wall and other decorative mirrors, gilt frames were in the majority. These gilt frames are fitted together at the joints with gilt molding which were made of wood. The woods used to set in frames were ebony, olive mooed, walnut, pine ,walnut veneered on pine etc…The solid gilt mirrors are available in variety of finishes with the gilt leaf, antique gold or antique silver giving a more of a tone down finish.

Out of all…antique gilt mirrors and french antique gilt mirrors are popular. It’s quite interesting to know that french antique frames have spent far better condition than any other English counterparts. The mirror frames are mostly put together to form the crest or fronton (pediment); the artisan would then combine the decorating styles and make the mirrors to the required size.

Most mirror frames have a combination of oil gilding and a deeply moulded gilt frame decorated with gilt balls and water gilding on smooth surface are suited. The French antique gilt frames will either have a gold or silver leaf applied to the decoration. The gilder sometimes uses both methods on one frame in order to create contrast for maximum visibility and brilliance of the finished piece.

There are many restored mirrors such as Vintage Dressing Mirror, Mirror with Antique Pine Frame, Antique French Hand Carved Mirror, Reproduction Mirror with Gilded Wood Frame, Antique Mirror in Gilt Frame, Antique Carved and Gilded Oval Mirror, Large Antique French Hand-carved Walnut Henri II style Mirror with the original beveled glass, Antique mirror in ornate gilt frame , Antique French mirror with the original beveled glass , Antique faux bois mirror were the wooden frame, which has been covered with gesso to mimic the look of tree branches, is embellished with a carved pediment etc are some of the best collections.

Apart from good antique gilt mirrors there are some repro mirrors on the market that look the same as the original. But when compared with original they were cheaply sold which obviously wont hold much value, so forget it if your looking for an investment.

When buying french antique gilt mirrors, restoration reflects an overwhelming and viable, like everything else in the antique business. There are two things to know before buying: Originality and quality. Buy it from the original makers, who can supply the best quality standing mirrors to you.

www.OldPlank.com is a specialist in top quality original antique mirrors that has been acquiring French antique gilt mirrors. Oldplank offers a huge choice of mirrors, in many sizes and shapes; from gilded to gilt edged, bevelled to decorative fret-work, painted or carved as well as decorative edging and friezes.