Turn to Auction Databases
Once you've correctly identified the piece or have come up with a list of search terms, both Paloympis and Robinson encourage people to look at auction databases to find out what similar furniture or decorative items sold for in the past.
Check prices of similar furniture online.
Go on Craigslist and Ebay and check what other people are selling similar items for. Furniture Valuation Guides, found easily online, will give you ranges of prices for most furniture. Look for items as similar as possible to yours.
The best way to determine its worth is to bring it to a professional antique furniture appraiser who has specific knowledge of antique furniture pieces and knows all the period, material and style details that impact its value.
Simply snap a photo of any Antique, and Antique ID will instantly provide you with an estimated price if available.
Google Lens is also a great way to comp items. If you aren't quite sure how to look up a particular item to find comparable prices, take a picture, use Google Lens, and then follow those links that are generated to see what past and present prices are on the item.
Auction houses, such as Sotheby's and Christie's, periodically provide free, oral valuations to the public. Search on their websites for "valuation day" or "appraisal day." To have an item appraised on "Antiques Roadshow," you'll need a ticket to an appraisal event.
Furniture Appraisal. ValuePros are a team of skilled experts in furniture appraisal who have an in-depth understanding of the furniture market. They specialize in providing comprehensive and accurate appraisals that help clients determine the worth of their assets.
Taking your antique-style chair to an antique dealer is the best method to find out whether it is valuable or not. They will be able to fully evaluate your piece and provide you with a fair appraisal of its pricing thanks to their expertise and access to resources.
The most expensive piece of furniture ever sold at auction is The Badminton Chest, a huge, lavishly decorated piece of Italian craftsmanship, which sold for a whopping £19m at Christie's London in 2004. The monumental cabinet was commissioned by Henry Somerset, 3rd Duke of Beaufort in 1726.
Affordable couches are less than $1000, suitable for budget-conscious shoppers. Mid-tier couches are priced between $1,000 and $2,000, offering a compromise between quality and cost. Premium couches exceed $2,000, crafted with high-quality materials and design features.
Marcel is the quintessential app for identifying vintage furniture, making it simple to uncover the stories behind every piece, whether you're exploring in person, visiting friends, or browsing online. Vintage Furniture ID: Just take a photo and Marcel reveals the history and heritage of your vintage discovery.
Pull up recently sold listings for comparable items on eBay to get a sense of the value of your item. You can also check online collector's sites, Google Lens, and digitized databases if the market for your item isn't that deep. When in doubt, consult an appraiser to get a professional opinion on your item's value.
She adds, “By definition, an antique is an item that is 100 years old or older.” Whether it's a book, vase, glassware, or a piece of furniture, the 100-year-old rule of thumb remains the same.
Get an Appraisal
Get a few opinions from different collectors to see if the prices vary. This will give you a better sense of the market value. Once you have a range of prices, you can decide if selling the furniture is a good option or if it's better to hold onto it.
Just keep your communication to the appraiser about the facts of the home and neighborhood, how you priced the house, and any other relevant information you think the appraiser should know. And remember, don't discuss value. Don't pressure the appraiser to 'hit the value' and you'll be fine.
Look for an appraiser who specializes in that specific type of item. Some useful resources for finding appraisers near you include the Appraisers Association of America and the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers.
WorthPoint on the App Store.
By definition, an antique is an item that is more than 100 years old. To make sure the item you have is a valuable antique, you first have to identify its age, and then you need to look for a market for the piece. There are many types of antiques, and each one has a different value based on the current market.
Google Lens is an app you probably already have on your phone as part of the Google search app. On the Google start screen, there is an icon of crosshairs or a small colorful box. Tap that box to open Google Lens, a handy feature for many reasons but especially for estimating the value of a collectible.
If you want to learn the true value of your antiques or works of art, then arranging professional antique valuations are the best way to proceed. Many BADA members will be able to help with valuations, or will be happy to recommend a trusted third party.
Where can I sell antiques online? You can sell antiques online from your own store built with a platform like Shopify, on third-party marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, on niche websites like Etsy and Bonanza, and on social media, and via wholesale.