What the pandemic has done to the antiques world
While 202o was an unprecedented year on so many levels, there were also some positive takeaways from the year as well. The pandemic definitely had an effect on the antiques market. Commonly, buyers were not purchasing large sized items that required pick up or delivery and multiple levels of interaction with sales staff and in-person shopping suffered also. While nobody would argue that the pandemic has left just yet, the recent mass roll-out of vaccinations has some experts believing that the antiques market is about to pick up.
During the last year, a craze over lamps, especially those in the Art Deco world was extremely popular. Small items were flying off shelves but only recently have bigger items like furniture start to see movement.
For those in the vintage world, the scale has been a factor in buying trends. Last year was quiet for larger pieces but this year there has been a move towards the heavier look of wrought-iron pieces and requests for old marble and stone-topped tables. Thanks to the pandemic, people are starting to realize more and more what they want in their homes. If this staying at home has taught us anything, it has taught us to love where we live, and loving where we live means finding things to fill our homes that bring us joy and happiness. Classic style furniture and streamlined pieces are the trend currently.
With so many people now working from home in open spaces, demand for partial-privacy has arisen in the form of full-sized room dividers. Remembered primarily as the domain of Victorian homes, many antique dealers have recently reported a strong uptick in interest in these forgotten folding panel walls that were once a staple in virtually every Victorian boudoir. No one wanted these dividers a year ago but now dealers can’t keep them in their stores. See if Antique Allure in Bucks County has something cool for your home.
Another trend in the antique market, thanks to the pandemic, has been an uprise in demand for mid-century barware, and pretty much everything party-glass related up to the 1970s has been on fire over the last twelve months. Maybe it’s just because everyone is hanging out at home and starting cocktail hour early but whatever it is, these items are hot.
For most dealers and industry insiders, the prognosis of this year’s decorative arts directing isn’t just about whether or not trends end up being the big or small category but whether or not they could sustain some consistency moving forward. When people are really out shopping again, you should see these new trends take hold and settle into place for a good while.
If you are in the Southampton area, visit Antique Allure. We are a huge antiques mall with so much to see and shop for! Our inventory is endless. Antiques are taking off again, get in on the game! The pandemic may still be here, but you can safely shop and have fun.
