If you always thought that only handbags, clutch purses, wallets, sunglasses, shirts and other such items went under the hammer of traditional auction houses online, think again. Even though buying antique items has been the quaintest in trends, there is nothing quaint about how technology has breathed fresh air into old fashioned auction rooms.
Buying art online is an art in itself and presents the new generation with a comfortable and an easy way to buy things. It does not however mean that you would always get hold of genuine items on online art auction sites.
So, how can you buy genuine art on the internet?
Buy what you like: You do not always have to be highly knowledgeable about the epochs in art such as expressionism, abstract, Monet and the like. You could, for instance, go in for art that actually complements the color of your walls.
Age of the painting: The painting could be a reproduction of the original painting or sometimes even the original painting. It would be difficult to tell unless you have had exposure to some other paintings in traditional galleries. Take a look at the label for the year in which the art print was published before going in for it. If you are not sure whether you want to go in for a reprint, you could always go in for the original art print, which would cost you a little more than for the reprint.
Differences: Learn to tell the difference between true antique art, near antique art and vintage on the internet. True antiques are at least a hundred years old, whereas near antiques go back to being as old as anywhere between 75 to 98 years old, while vintage art traces back to the thirties, the forties, the fifties and the sixties.
Visit auction houses and garage sales: Before you could visit online art auctions, visit traditional auction houses and even garage sales to take a look at the kind of art people sell. Pieces that do not mean anything to others could mean something to you, in that it could give you an idea of the kind of art you wish to go in for online.
Search the internet: Look at the variegated art pieces available online on art auction websites, which could give you a rough idea of what you want to eventually go in for. Buying art online at online art auction sites could work out much cheaper than buying them at traditional auction houses and garage sales.
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