Antiques that you shouldn’t pass up
Whether you are a collector, dealer, or just a buyer of decorative arts for your home, scoring that perfect find while hunting through antique shops can often be a frustrating task. Especially when it comes to discerning the true from the fake and the great from the pretenders.
With a little help from top appraisers and experts, we’ve compiled a list of items you will definitely want to be on the lookout for as you are out treasure hunting for the best finds.
Antique purses
This is something in the textile zone that you might really want to pay close attention to. Look for vintage beaded bags, mid-century modern Lucite purses, chainmail style clutches from the twenties and thirties, and anything that comes with bangles. Condition is paramount.
Tin toys
Dealers are scooping up $10 garage sale and estate sale box toy lots and flipping for twenty times more. Original box and packaging add value.
Vintage luggage
This is a rapidly rising area of interest for collectors and dealers alike. Old Pullman cases and mid-century modern themed pieces are flying out the door in antique shops. Look for original leather straps, perfect linings on the inside, and if it comes with authentic travel stickers, even better. Vintage Vuitton and American Oshkosh pieces can bring very high prices. Look for accessories too, such as hat boxes.
Native American Crafts
It goes without saying that Native American items of any kinds are still very popular today, and will command top dollar prices at galleries and auctions. However, there are still a number of bargains to be had for those with a keen eye. Woven baskets are often overlooked at garage and estate sales, and at $2,000 to $40,000 a pop, they could be more like a lottery win for some. Look at the design and shape to help determine authenticity.
Costume Jewelry
There is no end in sight right now for this popular collectible. Great deals can be found and jewels don’t have to be real. Look for known vintage and antique makers like Eisenberg, Trifari, Weiss, Sarah Coventry, and Coro can all command top dollar. A box lot investment of $20 at an estate sale can easily return a few hundred dollars online.
Christmas Memorabilia Decorations
While Christmas might not be on the mind of anyone at the moment, this is certainly one of the best times of the year for scooping up all those unused vintage cards and ornaments, for resale in December. Christmas cards with a mid-century modern theme can sell in the $30-$50 range for a pack of five. Classic tree ornaments with motifs that date the item can also prove highly desirable just before Christmas.
Finding popular items can be daunting but it can also be fun looking for finds all over town. If you are interested in any of these popular items or are looking for your own treasures, take advantage of the thrill of the hunt and enjoy yourself!
