The UK is probably the best place in the world to search for and to buy antiques because of its rich history of invasion, conquest, trade and invention.
It probably has more genuine antiques per square mile than any other country. Almost every town and village has an antiques shop and all cities have a reputable auction house.
Watching the experts at antique roadshows, you probably wonder just how they get so much information about an antique simply by turning the item upside down.
The fact is, the markings that are stamped, painted or impressed on the underside of most antique items can help you tell a great deal about an antique. Antique Marks provide a wealth of information if you know what and how to read them
Dating an antique is a little like detective work. The company name itself only gives the appraiser a rough timeline of when the company was known to operate. Other factors such as the colour of the mark, how it's applied or the numbered codes within the design can often date a piece to the exact year it was produced and tell you where or who the specific artist was.
The Victorian Design Registration Mark or Kite Mark was used between the years 1842 and 1883.
The kite mark or diamond logo appeared in two separate forms and can, if you are able to read it, provide you with some good quality information about the antique item.
The two forms look alike but the information available is coded differently in each. You have to look closely to know which one you have ...
