Where do I begin?

Valuable antique furniture is rare. (After all, that’s what makes it valuable.) But it is surprisingly easy to find if you know where to look. There are thousands of reputable dealers who sell items in galleries, and many more collectors, dealers and owners who are selling items locally or online.

Reputable Dealers

One of the easiest ways to find valuable antique furniture is to contact a reputable dealer. Dealers do the legwork for you and are experts in their field, so you can be confident in the piece’s authenticity. Buying directly from a dealer is easy, but you’ll pay more for the pieces than you would if you found it at an estate sale or flea market.

Finding the right dealer can take some time. Dealers specialize in specific types of antique furniture so it may take awhile for you to find the right dealer for your style. You also want to be sure the dealer has an established reputation. A great place to start is to look for national dealers that are members of professional organizations such as the National Antique and Art Dealers Association of America Inc. (NAADAA), the Antique Dealers’ Association of America (ADA), or the Antiques and Collectibles National Association (ACNA).

Online

If you can’t afford a dealer’s prices, online markets are an exciting place to spend your time. There are some advantages and disadvantages to shopping online. You may save some money, but you will also need to pay for shipping. Shipping furniture can be expensive and there can be added costs if you want to insure the shipment.

Online Markets

Internet sites like Etsy and Ebay have lots of valuable antique furniture, and you will save money by buying it directly instead of from a dealer. Many buyers also luck out and score antique items for much less than they’re worth, especially if the seller doesn’t recognize the value of the piece. Searching sites like Ebay for antiques and collectables takes some work, but a little investment in time can save you serious cash.

To find authentic pieces, look for sellers that have a lot of experience and are highly rated. Reputable sellers use appropriate descriptive terms and provide tons of photos and a list of flaws and damages. To find deals from sellers who may not recognize the value of their item, browse general listings instead of searching for specific items and styles. Grandma is more likely to call her mother’s armoire a “pine wardrobe” than an “early American colonial armoire”.

Online Classifieds

There are a ton of online classified sites where sellers list antique furniture for sale. The most familiar of these is Craigslist, but there are also sites that specialize in antiques. For example, antiques.com has an extensive classified section with tens of thousands of antiques for sale including everything from furniture to art.

Local

Some of the best places to find antique furniture are right in your community. Local shopping has several advantages over shopping online. You have an opportunity to see the item in person before buying it, and you don’t have to pay for shipping. Some local shops can help you bring your item home, but others require you to pick it up yourself.

Antique Shops, Swaps, and Markets

Nearly every town from small to large has an antique shop or flea market. These are great places to visit. The shop owners know their business well and can often tell you more about an item than what is written on its tag. Local swap meets and flea markets are also great places to find antique furniture.

Estate and Garage Sales

Estate and garage sales are another good place to look for antiques. Garage sales can be good, but furniture is hard to find at them and folks tend to sell less valuable furniture. Estate sales, though, sell a wide variety of possessions ranging from cheap household goods to expensive, high-end furniture. They aren’t the exclusive domain of art and antique dealers, but they do attract a wide range of collectors and dealers. This can make them competitive, but such an environment also offers you an opportunity to learn from others.

Searching for Valuable Antique Furniture is a Labor of Love

Shopping for valuable antique furniture is easier than it sounds. There are a lot of great places to look, whether you have a large budget or are tight on cash. For a sure bet, choose a reputable dealer. Check online or local shops for a good deal and don’t be afraid to stop in at a few estate sales. You never know what you’ll find.

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