What are different ways I can find values for my antique furniture? This question describes how someone can find money values for their antiques. Claudia Reese, who owns 2nd Time Around Antique Mall in Twin...
Claudia Reese, who owns 2nd Time Around Antique Mall in Twin Falls, Idaho and has been studying, buying, and selling antiques for two decades, recommends several ways: "Check out books on antiques, visit antique stores and shows, get a certified appraiser, take a small piece of furniture to a dealer, or watch a television show about antiques such as Antiques Roadshow."
The value of antique furniture is determined by quality construction, quality design, condition, and scarcity. Old does not automatically mean valuable. Educating yourself about antique furniture can be a fun and rewarding endeavor.
Hundreds of books about antique furniture can be found at local bookstores and libraries. Out of print books, which are available at used bookstores and through online booksellers, will also help you learn more about your antique furniture. Fred Taylor, who writes Common Sense Antiques, a column that appears regularly in several newspapers and magazines about antiques, has also written several books and videos that provide easy to understand information about identifying antique furniture. Taylor helps his readers and viewers learn to identify the age and authenticity of furniture using styles, materials, and construction techniques. His columns also provide additional information about all aspects of antique furniture. Other authors with excellent books on antique furniture include the popular Antiques Roadshow appraisers Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno. When studying these books, don't forget to look at the pictures as they also will provide valuable information.
Visit antique stores and shows and ask dealers questions. For example, if two tables look almost alike to you but they have vastly different price tags, ask the dealer to explain the differences to you. Just remember that while most dealers love to share their knowledge, they make their living selling items. Therefore, they must wait on customers before they can engage in conversations.
While you're in antique shops or at antique shows, learn how to inspect furniture for yourself. For example, replacements of chair rungs and table legs are common. Check carefully to see if they all match. Replacement parts lower the value of antique furniture. The value of case pieces, such as highboys, is greatly lowered if the tops and bottoms did not originally come together and have been "married." Compare the grain of the wood throughout, remembering that years of exposure to sunlight may have faded a top portion.
Perhaps you need to know the value of your antique furniture for a specific reason, such as the legal need to divide items because of divorce or death, a review of household contents for insurance purposes, or a desire to donate specific pieces to a museum. The American Society of Appraisers, the Appraisers Association of America, or the International Society of Appraisers can help you find an appraiser in your area. Remember that anyone can legally call himself or herself an appraiser without any formal training or education, but members of these organizations must have years of experience, regularly take educational classes, and follow strict ethical standards.
Watching television shows about antiques is both entertaining and educational. You'll probably find that it's not long before an expert explains an antique that's of great interest to you.
