10 tips for buying antiques

Whether you’re a collector, bargain hunter or mere browser, antique shopping can prove a treasure trove for quirky, unique and collectible items. Keep your eyes peeled and you could find a Georgian mahogany chest of drawers for the same price as a flat-pack equivalent from a certain Scandinavian megastore. Out with the new, in with the old, we say! Don’t know where to start? Use this 10-point guide to steer you in the right direction.

1. Trust your gut and your eye

Buy what you love, not what you think will make you money. Avoid slavishly following trends and second-guessing the market, as you may have to live with the item for a long time. If you happen to be like me, drawn to fascinating yet fairly useless objects like taxidermied​ hares and mismatched cut-crystal glasses, then so be it. There’s a fine line between ugly and amazing.

2. Get out of town

Everyone knows antique centres and vintage bazaars get better the further you get out of any major city. Victory Theatre Antique Centre in Blackheath, Antiques & Collectables on Darby in Cooks Hill and Newcastle’s Centenary Antique and Rare Find Country Antiques are just a few of our favourites, with a pick-n-mix of pieces crammed into every inch of space, much like your nana’s​ living room. We also have a hit list for regional Victoria. And don’t limit it to brick-and-mortar stores. If you happen to be there on a weekend, you can usually get a good deal with an amateur dealer at a car boot sale or jumble sale.

3. Be wary of certain words

If something is described as Louis XV “style” or “inspired”, you’re not buying a mid-18th-century French original, but a shabby chic rococo rip-off. “Limited edition” is another phrase that has been overused to the point of meaninglessness. The piece could easily have been “limited” to a million. Be sure to clarify before laying down any cash.

4. Play the singles game

Looking for chairs? Steering clear of sets can save you hundreds, even thousands. Dealers don’t know what to do with single chairs so often sell them for cheap. Over time, you can create a harmonious harlequin set, selecting items from the same time period for an eclectic yet customised look when placed around the dining table. 

5. Ask key questions

Beyond “Do you love it?”, ask things like: “How rare is this particular item?”, “Is it a good example of its type?”, “Is it in good condition?”, “Is it by a notable maker or designer?”, “Are there any unexplained bolts, screws, stains or signs of repair?” Get in there and really examine it from every angle. Also, asking a lot of questions can get the seller into a frame of mind that makes them want to close the deal while they’re doing a lot of explaining.

6. Barter smarter

The people who deal in antique wares are usually addicts. That is to say, they’re keen to sell what they have and make room for more antiques. Haggling is a worthy pursuit, but don’t short-circuit the negotiation by going too low. If an item’s priced at $200, for example, go in with $150 and they’ll probably counteroffer $175. A 10 per cent reduction is almost always expected. If in doubt, ask them to put the item on hold. If you’re willing to pay a few hundred (or thousand) dollars for it, chances are they’ll be willing to wait.

7. Trust your dealer

A good antiques dealer will know the history behind an item, take their time to explain any imperfections and should be happy to take it back if you get it home and aren’t 100 per cent happy. Their job requires them to be a bit of a teacher, historian and storyteller.

8. Auctions for beginners

If you buy antiques at auction, keep in mind that the estimate price in the catalogue does not include the buyer’s premium, which is usually in the region of 20 per cent. Also, make a plan for transportation before you decide on an object. The auction house will usually only hold it for a few days.

9. Do your homework

Learn about what you’re buying. Visit collections and dealers, attend auctions, read up, talk to experts, and even go to museums to get a sense of period pieces. Know as much as you can about a particular field so you can make an informed decision as to items and price. There are also online valuation services and iPhone apps such as this one making it quicker and easier to find out how much something’s worth.

10. Enjoy them

Collect what is beautiful and precious, but also useable. Quality and liveability should go hand in hand, so use every piece as it was intended. Their mere existence proves they were built to last.