I Asked a Collectibles Appraiser: Which Antiques Actually Appreciate?
If you’ve ever helped your grandma clean out the attic, you’ve likely come across items from a bygone era. Perhaps an end table from the 1920s, a rotary phone from the 1930s or a tea set passed down through the 1800s.
Knowing which items to keep and which to toss can be challenging, however — not only because of the history and sentiment attached, but because of the potential price tag! No one wants to trash an antique that could be worth enough to finance their child’s education.
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To find out which antiques actually appreciate over time, MoneyLion spoke with Reyne Hirsch, professional appraiser and co-owner of Dallas Auction Gallery, who said the below items can appreciate by as much as 5%-10% per year:
1. Tiffany Lamps
Commonly recognized by their brass base and handcrafted, stained-glass lamp shades, the majority of these Art-Nouveau-style light fixtures were designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his team at (what became) Tiffany Studios New York between 1893 and the 1920s.
Per Hirsch, authentic Tiffany lamps can command anywhere from $10,000-$1 million depending on their pattern, color and condition. Floral patterns are typically the most valuable.
Collectors purchase these at auctions, galleries and estate sales.
2. Midcentury Modern Furniture
The clean lines, timeless design, bold colors, durable craftsmanship and shrinking supply of original pieces have contributed to the lasting demand for this Mad Men-era design style made popular in the mid-1930s to mid-1960s.
While an item’s exact value may depend on the specific category of furniture (i.e. an egg chair, a credenza, a tulip table, etc.) and designer, True Legacy Homes estimated pieces can cost a few hundred dollars to over $10,000 at estate sales.
3. Louis Vuitton Trunks
Coveted by both Louis Vuitton collectors and interior decorators (who often turn them into expensive coffee tables), these trunks were first designed in Paris in 1858. Originally used as suitcases for elite travelers, they were the first to have a flat top and a flat bottom to make stacking them easier in transit.
Per Hirsch, Louis Vuitton trunks can range from $8,000 to upwards of $20,000 depending on era, size, condition and model. While new styles are still made, those designed prior to the 1920s are typically the most valuable.
Collectors procure antique, LV trunks at estate sales and TheRealReal, an online reseller of designer items.
4. Original Works of Fine Art
A broad category, fine art typically refers to art created specifically for aesthetic value. Examples include paintings (like those of Pablo Picasso), sculptures (like those from Auguste Rodin), drawings (like those of Leonardo da Vinci) and photography (like those of Ansel Adams). Originals can command a shocking price tag.
Per Hirsch, an original work can go for between $5,000 to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the artist and the era.
Collectors often purchase these pieces at a variety of locations: Goodwill, garage sales and auction houses big and small.
Main Factors Affecting Value:
Condition: “The key thing you want to look for in all of these categories is condition,” said Hirsch. “Damage or restoration can lower the value on an item significantly.”
Designer/Artist: Items created by “leading masters of their period” are likely to command the highest value.
Rarity: Scarcity increases demand.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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