Prices, conditions and availability of vintage and antique assiut vary wildly and are always in a state of flux. The key to getting the best deal is to be as prepared and knowledgable as possible. Here are my top tips for anyone who’s delving into the world of antiques to purchase a vintage assiut shawl or garment.
1 – Know what you Want. Do you want a museum quality piece to treasure? Are you looking for a vintage piece in good condition to use and wear? Do you have plans for cutting apart a piece for a costume? Is the color important? Before you seriously begin shopping, having an idea of both what you want and what you don’t want and this will help you hone your searches both in person and on the web.
2 – Do the Research. Assiut comes in different shapes and sizes, colors and qualities. There is always a few assiut shawls, robes, and garments available, but they are becoming increasingly rare. It’s important, especially when shopping on the web, to learn to discern the differences between modern, vintage, and antique assiut in pictures. Not everything market vintage is, so buyer beware. There are numerous spellings and names for assiut, so be sure to build the most effective search terms possible.
3 – Establish a Budget. Nothing is worse than seeing “the perfect piece” buying it, and then being resentful of the cost. Before you go shopping for assiut, look at your funds and set a price cap. The antique market varies radically, and the same quality piece can sell low or high. Be realistic, this is vintage cloth, and the days of $10 deals from unaware dealers are a thing of the past. Visit auction and sales sites such as eBay, Etsy, and Ruby Lane to see what the price range is currently to set a realistic budget for yourself. And remember, try to resist the urge to get caught up in the thrill of a hot auction. Having a budget will help you stay focussed and realistic.
4 – Be Prepared to Wait. This is an axiom of the world of antiques. There is always another assiut shawl available for sale somewhere. Although antique assiut is becoming increasingly rare, there are always new pieces emerging from collections, so even if you lose out on an auction today, there will be another opportunity in the future.
5 – Don’t be afraid to Negotiate. No matter if you are shopping in person or on line, don’t be afraid to negotiate with a dealer on the price. In some instances, the seller may not realize what they have, and you can point out flaws such as holes, splits, and discolored patches. This is one place where your research will pay off. Knowing what is a fair price for the moment.
Recently, I’ve been getting a lot of requests for detailed instructions for how to clean vintage assiut. There are a few guidelines I would like to share with you, but I have to begin with a disclaimer. Antique assiut can be extremely fragile. Before you clean, think about the value of the piece for you. In antique textiles, sometimes the most gentle forms of cleaning can be destructive. So before you have a go at cleaning it, consider your skills and if you are prepared to accidentally destroy the garment or shawl. As a historian, I recommend using the least invasive and potentially destructive methods for care and cleaning. Below is an excellent resource for cleaning vintage and antique textiles. My personal process echo this detailed .pdf.
Here’s a little “Belly Dancer Life Lesson,” always wear more makeup than you think you need in performance! I must admit, I use photo editing software to touch up my skin before I put images on the web. Generally, I reduce dark circles, clean up blemishes and whiten my teeth. However, I’m keenly aware that I cannot go “to far” in the photo editing process or my still photos won’t match the video performances.