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I ask because I found a business card that someone had probably given to my mother years ago. The card said that the person named on the card bought antiques and used furniture. I called him and asked if he was still in the furniture business because I had several items I was interested in selling. Although he said he still was in the business, he was less than enthusiastic about furniture. He explained that the antique furniture business has dropped off the charts. He has a barn full of antiques and isn't selling any of it and what he does sell he's taking a large loss (e.g. a wash stand he bought 10 years ago for $200 he sold for $75). What he is really interested in now is gold, silver and jewelry (like hundreds of other dealers right now). I just wanted another opinion on the antique furniture market or if this gentleman is just crying "hard times" so he can get antiques dirt cheap.

I sold some antique prints for under $10.00 and the people who bickered about the price were dealers.I sold clothes(used) for more money then the print.

I totally agree with the gentleman. We go to a big antique market monthly and not much is selling and dealers are complaining. Don't see the red sold tags nearly as much as in the past.

Antique furniture are not that huge hit now as it was before but the value of the great finds is still maintained. Most of the ones who buy antiques are collectors and not really just redecorating their house.

- One

This message has been edited. Last edited by: onelyn,

quote:

How is the current market for antique furniture?

It's true, at least in the auction market, that furniture is in a very slow part of the collectibles cycle right now...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: aljurabby,

Actual antique furniture is somewhat down, true. But reproductions of pieces that look old and that can actually be used are still selling. I do ok

zdillinger - Advertising is not allowed.

Who's advertising? That was a legitimate comment, that actual old (read expensive) pieces are down, but the desire for the old style is still there, meaning that the drop is more a function of money than of changing style.

Sorry if I offended anyone. I'm more than happy to edit the post if necessary.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zdillinger,

Sorry if I interpreted this wrong, but your link goes to what I assume is your site where you have reproduction furniture for sale.

There have been so many blatant advertisers on the different HGTV forums who register and post strictly to generate traffic on their websites in order to sell their goods. It is sometimes hard to pick the legitimate users of this site from those who break the rules.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KeepYouInStitches,

No problem Sherry.I can certainly see how my post could be interpreted that way. I'm just proud of the work I do. But I do seek to add something to the group, given my knowledge and study of antique furniture. I'm not out to sell anything, just out to share! Perhaps I should change the link in my signature to point to my blog instead, that way there can be no confusion.

Welcome to the forums.

Unfortunetly, you see a lot of good antique furniture being painted turquise, sanded and repurposed. An old upright piano into a bar, Duncan Phyfe buffet into child's wardrobe. These beautiful trunks filled with dirt for flowers. This all reminds me of the 1970s when sideboards were cut down for coffee tables and antique quilts became tablecloths. I still like the look of a good antique piece of furniture, recently waxed and buffed. Oh, the smell is heaven!

i was checking out the chair my mother used as a desk chair...was cleaning it and had flipped it over..it was moosehead from a place in maine..the actual factory was closed 2 years ago..but it's solid rock maple (she bought in ca in the late 50's) if i tried to sell it on ebay along with the desk (also solid maple) i'd probably get less than she paid! and of course noone is doing colonial, lol..in total i have 4 pieces...my dd took the coffee table and uses it...

Since the desk and chair are now mid-century, which is very popular,you might see if one of your local antique shops would take the furniture on consignment. I recently saw a complete living room set of rock maple with red plaid upholstery from the 1950's and they wanted an arm and a leg.