Finding quality antiques isn’t just for garage sales and Antiques Roadshow fans. Whether you’re looking for an entire room of antiques or the finishing touch for your home, don’t forget that estate sales can be an excellent place to discover that special, storied piece. So how do you know where to look, and what to do when you think you’ve found a promising piece? Here are five tips for finding antiques at estate sales.
Estate Sales Tip #1: Examine items carefully
If something catches your eye at an estate sale, examine it carefully to determine its age, condition, and any identifying marks. With antiques, the telltale signs of quality craftsmanship are in the details (unsymmetrical furniture joints are a sign of a handmade piece, as perfectly symmetrical joints are strictly machine-made).
In addition, craftsmen would often leave their maker’s mark or signature hidden within a piece, signing the underside of drawers, panels, and other interior corners. The same logic can be applied to the identification of antique silver, jewelry, and artwork. A signature provides a window into the deeper study of an antique and its hidden potential.
When it comes to finding quality antiques on the resale market and at estate sales, keeping an open mind can help you find unlikely treasures. Works of art with unremarkable subject matter can be paired with an exquisite frame that is worth more than the art itself. Or a refurbished lamp with an original Tiffany shade can fetch a pretty penny on resale. It pays to look at the parts as well as the whole of an antique!
Estate sales are a treasure trove of rare finds and unique designs for all tastes. This is especially true when it comes to vintage jewelry. From vintage engagement rings that whisper tales of romance to statement necklaces that command attention, estate jewelers curate an extraordinary selection of jewelry.
Estate Sales Tip #2: Bring your toolkit
When inspecting an antique, your most important tools are a measuring tape, a notepad, a magnifying glass, a light, and a magnet. The light and magnifying glass will help you assess condition and determine if an antique is authentically old or just made to look that way.
If you’re looking for silver at an estate sale, a magnet is your new best friend. Real silver is not magnetic, so a sticky magnet can help you tell the difference between silver and silver plate. And to make sure whatever you bring home fits your space, measure measure measure.
Estate Sales Tip #3: Do your research on the go
Having a smartphone on hand is a game changer when you think you’ve stumbled across something great at an estate sale. It’s an easy way to learn more about an antique’s history and who made it.
Plus, a quick glance at online auction records can give you a sense of the current market value of a similar antique, so you can feel good about your investment. Discover our 3 Reasons to Use your Smartphone at the Flea Market and Estate Sales.
Estate Sales Tip #4: Visit a Variety of Neighborhoods and Ask Questions
Mark your calendars for when you see an estate sale advertised and try to spread out weekend trips to different neighborhoods. The style, taste, and history of the area can influence a personal collection and may surprise you! If you have the opportunity to speak with the seller, don’t hesitate.
One of the exciting things about buying an antique directly from the previous owner at an estate sale is that you can access some of the item’s history right there and then. Find out where the piece came from, what it meant to the family, and other interesting details. This will add to its overall value.
Online resources also offer a wealth of amazing antiques. For example, EVERYTHING BUT THE HOUSE (EBTH) offers $1 starting bids on all items, and you can find literally anything from garage tools to grandfather clocks.
Estate Sales Tip #5: Buy what you love
Unless you plan to resell the items you find, buying what you like is the most important part of estate sale antiquing like a pro. Does it suit your taste and your space? Then don’t hesitate to buy what you love. Whether you’re looking for your next favorite sofa, accent piece, or finishing touch, go with your gut for what you like best. Buying an antique with some patina brings a story into your life, and one of the best parts about finding one at an estate sale is that you can hear firsthand about where it’s been.
There’s no telling what you might find at an estate sale, so the next time you’re on the hunt for a fine antique, try our tips to go home with something great!