Quick Guide to Buying Antiques

Antiques are items with a lot of history. Most antique dealers use the term to refer to items over 100 years old, although it is sometimes used loosely to refer to other historic items that are not as old.

There are a few different reasons as to why people buy antiques. You could consider buying antiques to add some history to your home – such items can complement older homes well, while also bringing character to newer homes. Alternatively, they could be items to collect as a hobby. Antiques can also be an investment – keep them in good condition and they will usually grow in value. You could even buy antiques as a restoration project.

Whatever your reason for wanting to buy antiques, it’s worth doing your homework first. This will help you to select the right items and get the best deals. Below are just a few tips to help you when buying antiques.

Research the history of the item you’re interested in

It’s useful to have a good idea of an item’s history before buying it. This can help you to better understand the value, as well as helping you to detect whether an item is authentic or not.

You may decide to go antique hunting with a certain item in mind. If this is the case, learn about this item first. For example, if you’re interested in antique Panerai watches, you may want to look into the Panerai watch brand history and get an idea of how different models were manufactured.

Alternatively, some people prefer to browse for antiques without having a specific item in mind. When you do find an item that interests you, it’s important to still look into the history. A good antique seller will be able to fill you in. If it’s a high value antique, there should ideally be documentation that details the item and provides certification of authenticity.

Shop off the beaten path

Where should you look for antiques to get the best deal? In most cases, you should try to avoid popular high street antique stores. While these stores are likely to have some very sought after items, they’ll come with a higher price tag.

The best deals are often found in side street antique stores and jumble stores. Flea markets and collectors fairs can also be a great place to find deals. It’s also worth checking out auctions, where you can often grab deals on all kinds of antique items from furniture to paintings to toys.

Check the condition

When buying antiques, it’s important to check the condition. Unless you’re looking for a restoration project, you probably don’t want to buy an item that is too damaged. Make sure to spend time inspecting the item carefully before you buy it.

You can expect most items to have a few bumps and scratches. However, there shouldn’t be large cracks, important missing parts, doors/drawers that don’t open properly, uneven legs or other signs of unsturdiness.

While checking the condition it’s also worth checking for signs that an item might be fake. Do the screws fit the time period? Are there fabrics or paints used on the item that don’t look like they’re original? These are all worth looking into.

Be wary of buying online

Sites like eBay are a great place to shop for antiques. However, you need to be a little more careful when buying online. Because you cannot check the condition in person, you often have to rely on photos to tell how worn an item is and whether it is authentic.

A good seller will provide multiple photos. These photos should be good quality – if the lighting is poor or the picture is blurred, it may be a deliberate attempt to hide flaws, which you won’t know about until you receive the item. Don’t be afraid to ask for more information about the product or more photos.

Know how to negotiate the price

There are times when you may be able to get a better price by haggling. Take the time to talk to the seller and build a rapport – the seller is likely to be more willing to negotiate the price if you do this. Never go in too low unless you know that the item is seriously overpriced. With antiques under £100, it’s usually a good rule to start £10 below the price and see what you can negotiate from there.

Look after your antiques to preserve value

If not looked after, your antiques will slowly deteriorate. This will cause them to lose value, which is not good if they are an investment purchase. Even if they’re not an investment purchase, it’s likely you still don’t want your antiques to wear away, so make sure that you know the best way to maintain your antiques. This could include cleaning with specific solutions. If you are restoring an item, try to use sealants and screws that won’t damage the existing parts and that won’t reduce the item’s value too much.