3 Art Forms to Launch Your Collection

The most difficult part of owning a collection is acquiring it. You may inherently know what genre, medium or period you like, but transitioning from art appreciator to property owner is not without its challenges.
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The most difficult part of owning a collection is acquiring it. You may inherently know what genre, medium or period you like, but transitioning from art appreciator to property owner is not without its challenges. From determining which pieces will maintain value over time to tackling the mere logistics of display and maintenance within your home, you'll have some decisions to make. Here, a primer on the best art forms to ease you into ownership.

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If you like...ASIAN ART
Snuff bottles provide an ideal point of entry into today's booming Asian art market. Diminutive and readily portable, this traditional art form is easy to display whether your collection consists of one piece or 70. "Snuff bottles are for many the entry point of collecting, as they are the perfect, portable vehicle for object appreciation--they are comprehensive in their scope of design, craftsmanship techniques, and materials," says Phyllis Kao, Asian Art Specialist at auction house Auctionata.

From a stylistic standpoint, the pieces often incorporate those same popular motifs consistent across other subsets of Asian art, allowing for wonderful visual impact with little spatial commitment. Jade, lacquer, porcelain, and enamel work are common in this highly decorative category, with each piece's accessibility ranging accordingly, typically from the hundreds to tens of thousands. However, their appeal isn't limited to the neophytes among us: "Sophisticated collectors are still always on the hunt for them and their history never ceases to educate even the most seasoned among us," points out Kao, whose upcoming auction is entirely dedicated to the art form.

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If you like...FINE ART
Allow your aesthetic sensibilities to guide you if the primary concern is décor, but if you're at all market-minded, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Deborah Ripley, Director of Contemporary Art & Prints at Auctionata, recommends approaching art acquisition the same way you would go about buying a car: with lots of research and plenty of second opinions. "Ask first whether this artist has a secondary market [at auction houses or through art dealers]," she says. "If they do, make sure it's a successful secondary market--just because an artist sells well through a particular gallery doesn't guarantee their work maintains that value."

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If you like...JEWELRY
Too often people dismiss this secondary market as all vintage, when in fact some of its great finds are thoroughly contemporary. "Designer jewelry--including styles currently being sold on the primary market--can be found at auction for up to 50 percent less," says Katherine Palmiter, G.G., Auctionata's Jewelry Specialist. Branded baubles by Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Georg Jensen and more often make their way to auction houses and dealers, presenting prospective buyers with the opportunity for great savings--and, if desired, lucrative resale. Rather than seek out unusual pieces--of which there are many beautiful examples--entry-level collectors may want to opt for more classic styles. Palmiter highly recommends gold and diamond pieces as investments for their consistent market appeal, but also notes that colored stones have never been more popular.

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