Getting a Good Start on Trinket Box Collections

From a French king's court to modern times, trinket box collections have enjoyed a sophisticated following. Getting started is the easy part. Controlling the habit is not. Read on to discover how to develop your own trinket box collection.

One Figure at a Time By any other name... Trinket box collections come in several distinct styles, each with an interesting history: Patch Boxes: Called boite a mouches in French, these compacts carried white powder to cover facial blemishes. Fairings: Short for "Fair Earnings." Until the 1930s, many trinket box collections began by winning them as prizes. Victorian Boxes: The Golden Age of trinket box collections. Mass production made these affordable decorations for everybody. A Material Matter The most apparent aspect of any trinket box collection piece is its construction. Four materials stand out as typical foundations:

• Antiques: These fixtures are invariably porcelain-made. Manufactured in the Victorian Era, they are valuable gems for any trinket box collection.
• Plated: Precious metals make exceptional additions to your trinket box collection.
• Pewter: Easy to work with and kind on the pocket, pewter is a common material in modern designs.
• Wood: Hand-carved detailing from exotic woods are exceptional examples for your collection.

Tricks of Price Evaluation
For blossoming trinket box collections, price always comes into play. Here are some other points to consider:

• Materials: Precious metals are generally more expensive than porcelain or pewter. Also, hand-made specimens can be pricey.
• Age: This can add a lot of value to an item's value. However, old does not always mean expensive.
• Condition: Even with chips and scratches, antique examples can be a valuable catch in trinket box collections. But keep in mind that broken is broken.

O! Where to begin!
Avoid limiting your trinket box collection to one genre. As with any collectable, start gathering whatever trips your fancy. Flea markets, garage sales, and antique stores offer ample opportunity to add figures to trinket box collections.