Where to Buy and Sell French Antiques?
One of the great ancient finds! French Antiques. Have you ever heard or seen such items in your surroundings? Imagine you’re just exploring the market and suddenly you see an antique store. You found a very rare and beautiful masterpiece inside the shop. Your eyes are continuously watching the piece and thinking, “Wow!” That’s something I’ve always wanted.” Isn’t it happens often times?
This was a sudden coincidence that you found a shop, but if you don’t have an idea about places that buy or sell French antiques, then read this article to find out.
Before buying French furniture or statues, you need to do some research to discover what makes such pieces valuable and rare. So, let’s first discuss these things…
What qualities make French antiques highly valuable?
The grace, standard beauty, unique wood carvings, and durability make French furniture and other collectibles of great value. Not only this, but there are more factors that affect the values. Let’s talk about them…
Century: In the current market, it has become impossible to see original 18th-century French furniture. This is because of its rarity and utmost value. One of their qualities is their scarcity, which makes them demanding and expensive.
King Louis XIV: The antiques from Louis XIVs France became the most desirable and popular items. People used to buy such pieces due to their elegance, designs, and craftsmanship, and people used to love to decorate their homes with them.
Overall, antiques with great history, craftsmanship, rarity, age, and origin, especially those from the 18th century and furniture from Louis XIV, are marked as highly valuable antiques.
The best place to buy and sell French furniture
We at Antique Appraiser Auctioneers buy and sell every type of antique from France. If you possess such ancient items in your attic and want to sell them, we buy antiques at a premium price. Furthermore, we also sell rare items that you would love to buy to accessorize your home. In addition, our appraiser also offers an honest and reliable antique appraisal service.
Here are a few french antiques for sale:
- Bronze French-Russian Arthur Waagen
- Monumental French Bronze Candelabras
- Rare And Important French Marble Top Sideboard, With A Vatican Shop Micro Mosaic Plaque
Conclusion
A interesting and satisfying lifelong passion is collecting antiques. Always purchase the highest quality you can afford and the items you are interested in, whether you are purchasing antiques for a collection or as an investment.
Watch out for furniture that is occasionally labeled as antique but is actually a more contemporary replica from the 1920s to the 1950s. These can be more challenging to identify; you’ll need some expertise and close observation of the artwork.
Know Famous Artists & Sculptors through their Masterpieces
It is commonly said that “by their works you shall know them.” Below is a brief summary of some of the greatest artists and sculptors and the distinguishing features of their works that identify them.
Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry
Founded by Alfred Van Cleef and Salomon Arpels, Van Cleef and Arpels is a high-end French luxury jewelry, perfume, and watch company. Noted for including animals, fairies and flowers in their intricate designs, Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry has through centuries made a name for itself through its numerous groundbreaking achievements like winning the grand prize at the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts in 1925, making the emerald velvet set crown of Empress Farah Pahlavi for her 1967 coronation and receiving the patent for the “Mystery Setting” which requires over three hundred working hours apiece.
Deco Jewelry Buyers
Reported to have emerged in 1925 in Paris, France, the Art Deco (from “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes”) style lasted about a decade and is till date one of the most popular jewelry (antique) styles. Also known as the “white gold” art, original Art Deco jewelry were manufactured in the time frame between both World Wars. Like with every other buyer, the Deco jewelry buyers search for some unique distinguishing features when assessing their pieces. Some of these features include:
- Antique cushion cut, Asscher cut, old European cut, or transitional cut diamonds.
- The use of platinum or white gold.
- Geometric and symmetrical design minimizing the free space and having a more industrial feel.
- The use of caliber cut stones to specifically fit into the jewelry design.
- The use of 10k or 18k white gold to do filigree work (small, intricate cut-outs incorporating lots of diamonds, platinum, synthetic stones, and white gold.
Tiffany, Cartier Jewelry buyers
The Tiffany and Cartier Jewelry brands are two prominent brands in their own right and buyers are often confounded as to which to choose. While Tiffany has been in the market longer (over a decade), it started off as a silverware manufacture before branching out to jewelry, unlike Cartier which started out as a jewelry workshop. Because both companies produce the same product types buyers’ choices tend to go beyond the available and may involve their emotions. For instance, having been raised in a home where one’s parents and older siblings purchased Tiffany engagement rings, one may lean towards a Tiffany purchase. On the other hand, in this same setting, one may resort to Cartier Jewelry because they wish for “something different” considering that their qualities are all worthwhile.
Estate diamond buyers and Trusted Antique Buyers
Like with every other deal, finding and choosing estate diamond buyers and trusted antique buyers should depend on aspects like:
- Peer recommendation of antique buyers they have used before.
- Finding a buyer who is fair and trustworthy; far enough to pay you the worth of your jewelry and trustworthy enough to see the sale through.
- The qualifications of and the level of familiarity with the product the buyer has. It is important that the buyer be knowledgeable of the product lest they accuse you of selling a fake.
- Your ability to communicate with and trust the buyer until the sale is completed.
How to Sell Antiques: Terrific Advice from Our Specialists
When it comes to selling antiques, the best advice comes from the antique experts. Seasoned antique buyers and sellers know how to sell antiques. Below you will find a priceless recommendations from the best of the best in the antique industry.
Get to Know Antique Buyers
As with any business, getting to know your customers is imperative. Find out what antique buyers are looking for and deliver the goods. Learn where and when they tend to make their purchases and BE THERE! Even better is to find out what antique buyers want, but have trouble finding. When the demand for a product outweighs the supply of it, you are in business!
Where to Sell Antiques
If you are wanting to sell a number of antiques retail, you can do so at a flea market, an antique market, or you can sell antiques online. If you have just one or a few antiques, you may want to take them around to various antique buyers. Compare the offers and go with the best. Keep in mind, the best price isn’t always the best deal as discussed below.
Reputable Antique Dealers
Some antique dealers will promise the moon but only deliver disappointment. Especially dealers who pop up at flea markets or online can take your item and run or may convince you that your antique isn’t worth much when, in fact, the opposite is true.
To prevent getting ripped-off, know all about the person or company you are dealing with. A reputable antique dealer will have credentials, a length of time in business, lots of verifiable references, and will be happy to provide all that information for you. A scam artist will pretend to be insulted when you ask for proof that they are a reputable antique dealer.
Selling Antiques through a Broker
Many who sell antiques go through the service of a professional broker who sells the antique item for you on your behalf. They take their cut off the selling price and give you your part. This method can take some time though. So, if you are in a rush for your cash, you may not want to use a broker.
Generally, brokers are able to get more for their wares, so the price you get is about the same as you would get selling it on your own. This type of selling eliminates some huge risks you’ll encounter when selling on your own and saves you time and effort as well. Still, you’ll need to make sure you go through a reputable broker or you could end up losing all.
Sell Antiques Online
There are a myriad of spots to sell antiques online. You can do a Google search for antique buyers and check each one out until you find someone who is reputable with lots of references. You can also sell your antiques through platforms like Ebay, Etsy, and Craigslist. Keep in mind that some online resale sites charge a listing and/or post-sale fee. Most require you to pay shipping or for you to charge your customer for shipping. Some, like Craigslist, may even have you meet your customer which can pose risk and danger. Many antique sellers go these routes, just be aware of all that’s involved before you commit.
Selling antiques is a profitable, yet tricky business. Antiques hold sentimental value as well as cash value so proceed with care. Whether you are looking to make a one-time, one-item sell, or are wanting to make it a business, you’ll want to take the above suggestions to heart for they are priceless.
Antiques Appraiser or Pawn Shops Near Me… Which is Better?
If you own valuable antiques, including jewelry and silver, you may be asking yourself how to sell them. Often antiques are handed down in families and those that inherit them aren’t sure what they are worth. We would like to believe that we have a rare and valuable piece that can bring in a lot of money, but is it really valuable? You might want to go online and search for pawn shops near me or antiques stores near me, but which is the best route to go when you want to sell? In this article, we discuss antique appraisers and pawn shops and help you determine who to contact.
Have an Appraisal Done First
An antique appraisal is done by an experienced appraiser. An appraiser will establish the value of your antique item. They will consider a number of factors when determining value. These factors include the condition of the item, whether it has been restored, whether it bears a manufacturer’s mark, the provenance, how rare it is, and (perhaps above all) how much demand there is for the item among antique buyers. Once you have an expert opinion on the value of your antique items you will be a good position to get the best price when you are selling. It is always smart to get an appraisal before selling. If you search for places who buy antiques near me, chances are that you can find an expert appraiser working there.
Pawn Shops and Your Antiques
Google pawn shops near me and you will likely get a lot of results. There are a lot of them and always a lot of demand from people looking to pawn their valuables for some fast cash. They will be high on the list when you look up places who buy antiques near me. Are they a good place to sell your jewelry and silver? The first thing to keep in mind is that you should know the value of your item before going into a pawn shop. Pawn shop owners usually have a good idea of the value of your items but they are not necessarily certified appraisers and you should be prepared haggle. Pawn shops will take your items and hang on to them for a certain period of time, giving you the opportunity buy your antique piece back. This is a big difference from other places that will appraise and buy your silver and antiques. If you want to get some immediate cash but have the option of buying your item back then pawn shops are your best option.
The disadvantage of searching for a pawn broker is that they might not specialize in your silver, jewelry or other antique item. Searching specifically, say for buyer of silver near me, is more likely to get you someone who is an expert in your item and can make a final sale for you.
Tips to Follow While Buying or Selling Your American Art
Artwork is an important part of every culture and American culture is no exception. There is a unique vibe to American artwork. It is present in the work of disparate, famous American artist from John Singer Sargent to Jasper Johns to Grant Wood to Georgia O’Keefe to Jackson Pollock and many more. Different styles but an American feel. That American vibe makes collecting American artwork fun and, when figuring out the value of a piece you might be planning to buy or sell, challenging. American art auctions are full of valuable and impressive pieces. American art collectors are a savvy and eclectic bunch of people who have high standards. In this article we will look at some handy tips to follow when buying or selling your American art.
1. How is the Value of American Art Determined.
You should be aware of how the value of your artwork is determined. Be aware that there are certain factors that will determine what American art collectors will pay for your piece, or what you should be willing to pay if you are the collector. Artwork should first be authenticated. This can be easy with contemporary pieces when the artist is alive to authentic a piece. It is a trickier with older, historic pieces that have passed through many owners. Serious art collectors always insist on authentication. Value is also determined by who the artist was, the more famous the artist, the more the artwork is worth. The condition of the artwork, size and materials it is made of (ie. oil paintings are often more expensive than watercolors) help determine value. In some cases, the subject of painting or statue can add value. So can provenance (who it previously belonged to). In the end, the marketplace dictates the final value of piece of art.
2. Get American Art Appraised by an Expert.
Whether you are planning on selling American art online or you are at a gallery and spot a piece that you just have to have, it is a good idea to look for American art appraisers who can help you feel confident about the true value of the piece. A well-trained expert has detailed knowledge of American history and artwork that allows them to accurately determine the origins, age, and value of your artwork. They also understand the market and the legal details involved in selling one valuable piece or a whole collection. It is important to hire an expert to evaluate the artwork. Before hiring an appraiser check their educational and professional background and compare their prices with other experts.
3. Don’t pay sticker price.
When you go to a gallery browse and don’t be afraid to haggle. Most of the time the contract between the artist and gallery will allow the gallery to lower the price by a small percentage. Also, if you love a piece by particular artist but can’t afford it, consider asking to look at other pieces by the same artist. There might be a less expensive one that is in your budget. American painting buyers know a good deal when they come across one!
4. Go to American Art Auctions Prepared
If you go to American art auctions, do you homework. Study the auction catalog. Consider hiring an art expert to advise you at the auction. They are helpful in quickly determining how high you should be willing to bid. The pace at auctions can be fast and the bidding can be confusing at times. If in doubt, don’t get into the bidding. Just watch. Be wary of online auctions. They aren’t always as reliable when it comes to authenticity and provenance. American art collectors love auctions and they can be fun but it pays to be prepared.
5. Other Resources for American Art Collectors and Sellers.
Fifth, the internet is a valuable tool to use when buying or selling American art. It can almost be too valuable. You will get a lot of results. Some are top-tier, such a Sotheby’s auction house. Premier auction houses like Sotheby’s are pretty much guaranteed to have great art for sale and to get you a good price if you are selling with them online. The same for premiere art galleries. However, the Internet provides a place to connect with auction houses, galleries, American art appraisers, buyers and sellers of all types. Many artists are selling their art online. Many people are selling the artwork they own online. There are also other resources that can help you. There are books available at your local library, at bookstores, and on Amazon that provide comprehensive price lists for American art. There are also a variety of websites that will help you research the value of American artwork and find American art appraisers. Thanks to the internet it is easier than ever to buy and sell your American art.