5 Signs You Just Found a Priceless Antique
Picture this: You’re rummaging through your parents’ attic when you stumble upon a set of china. There’s something about it that seems different from the everyday dishware you’ve always used. It feels delicate and, dare we say, expensive. Or maybe you’re helping your grandmother downsize, and you spot a marble-topped chest with ornate detailing. It appears as though it’s lived through multiple generations, and the wood feels solid, not like the manufactured pieces of today.
What are the chances you’ve come across a priceless antique rather than one that’s worth sentimental value only? Here are a few of the signs that you may have struck gold while dusting off the old family heirlooms.
It’s Got a Full Back Story
The best way to find out what an item is and if it has any inherent value is to ask. Your family members are often the keepers of these stories, and they can tell you whether these items actually have an interesting backstory or if they were purchased out of simple necessity. Marsha Dixey, consignment director at Heritage Auctions, says, “Knowing some history can be helpful to nailing down a time period and perhaps a function.” She adds that, with many old things, their use isn’t necessarily obvious today, but that doesn’t diminish their value. Asking an older relative can help piece together the story—and the item's potential worth.
Even the smallest of details can help. Who purchased it, where they purchased it, what drew them to it, what they paid…this is all part of an antique’s provenance, and you never know which interesting tidbit might up the appeal.
There's a Maker's Mark
Dupes are not a new phenomenon. Ever since people have owned possessions, other people have wanted those same possessions—even if they didn’t have the budget. That means there were always the high-end items, and the copies. Looking for a marker’s mark is the easiest way to find out if you have the real deal or a nicely made dupe. “Look for maker's marks, logos, or artist-signed pieces, as well as those recorded as patents," recommends Dixey. "A bit of sleuthing on Google may be necessary."
These marks are most common with silver, glass, pottery and dishware (hello, Pyrex!), but you can also find maker’s marks on furniture and carved wood items.
The Condition is Right
At auction, a beautifully maintained item will always be more valuable than one that looks like it’s been well-loved over the years. That wear-and-tear that gives an item a warm nostalgia because your grandmother used it day-in and day-out may have significance for you, but it doesn’t always help on the broader market.
“When putting a value on an item, remember a perfect example will always sell for more,” says Dixey. “One chip can, in some cases, reduce value by at least half,” she adds.
That said, there is a time and a place for patina. Fans of farmhouse style are especially drawn to chippy paint and well-weathered wood when it comes to big-ticket furniture items like tables, hutches, and pine chests. To ensure that’s real patina, though, and not factory-produced, look for uneven distressing, proper keyholes instead of just exterior plating, and uneven dovetail joints.
There Are Nails on the Canvas
Suspect a painting might be really, really old? Confirm by turning the canvas over and scoping out the stretcher. If the canvas was secured with nails, it likely predates 1930, when staples became the go-to method. Craquelure—those tiny, complex cracking patterns—is another good indicator of age.
Authentic signage, particularly in the petroliana space, can also command top dollar. To ensure you’re staring down the real deal, and not repro, check the grommets, which should appear worn, as well as the rust markings. (Real rust will look dark or black; orangey rust is likely fake.) Also: run a finger across the front. On hand-painted signs from the 1950s and earlier, you will likely feel the different paint layers.
Similar Pieces Are Actually Selling
Comps are often a reliable gauge of what an item will sell for, but Dixey emphasizes that you need to look at the sold price, not the asking price. Find a similar item online, then look to see whether it actually sold or not. This will help you determine both interest and a fair market value.
No matter what, don’t get too starry-eyed over an asking price you see on a resale site. Keep in mind, dealers can ask for whatever number they want (and are also working to make up the commission their sale site takes), but, ultimately, an item is only as valuable as the amount a buyer is willing to pay.
Have an antique or family heirloom you’re convinced is valuable? Send a photo and a description to wiiw@countryliving.com for an opportunity to have it appraised by our panel of experts for our “What is it? What is it Worth?” column.
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