Antique investing trends for the next decade
It’s no surprise that people collect antiques for investment purposes. There are many reasons to love antiques but if we are honest, the sheer possibility of finding a priceless or rare item is on the top of the list of almost every collector. While waiting for that rare Faberge egg to suddenly appear in a flea market find, there are many other things to collect that will possibly hold value over the next decade or so. When you are shopping at your local antique store, keep some of these things in mind if you are shopping for popular and return on investment finds.
Items from the 1970s and 1980s
Arguably in the antique world, there is this vague understanding of how old something needs to be to actually be considered antique. Most will tell you that it must be 100 years or older. Others say 50 or more. Whatever timeframe you choose, if an item is old, it’s an antique or vintage and one of the trends right now are items from the 1970s and 1980s. As we move into the 2020’s, objects from these eras will start to be widely accepted as antique or vintage. The 1970’s with its wild combinations of sleek modernism and textured, abstract naturalism, is sure to attract a large following. Even items from the decade of excess, the 1980’s, will begin to acquire the feel of antiqueness as they reach the age of 40 in the early 2020’s.
Precious metal pieces
As precious metal prices increase, the antique market will be impacted. Gold and silver, coveted for centuries as the ultimate form of financial payment is the world’s preeminent hard currency and always holds value. Many investments grade antiques, including coins, jewelry, silverware, watches, and pens are made, either partially or completely, from precious metals. So it isn’t surprising that an increase in the price of gold and silver will also put upward pressure on the value of these investment quality antiques. Aside from precious metals, collecting exotic woods and glittering gemstones will be a smart investment as well.
Smaller antique collecting will emerge
Years ago bigger was better. Right now, the world has become reacquainted with the smaller pleasures in life. People are now living in smaller spaces like condos and tiny houses. They don’t have the time, money or patience to deal with mammoth works of art or antiques. Compact and portable investment grade antiques fit this need for petite items perfectly. Anything goes in this category, as long as it is smaller. Jewelry, smaller sculptures and wall art, minimalist, smaller furniture all have a place in this category.
While collecting should solely be based on what the collector loves, many collect for the sheer investment of it. What you collected in the 1980s may soon see a resurgence or it could still be worthless junk. The key is to collect what makes you happy. If it becomes an investment piece, consider yourself lucky. If you are interested in collecting items that will have some value very soon, visit your local antique shop and look around. See what is there and ask questions. You can share your love of antiques while creating an investment for yourself at the same time; you just have to know what to look for.
