7 Antique & Vintage Items To Collect Before Everyone Else Does

Best Bets For Future Value Gains

Not Just Mid-Century Furniture

New York - The antique and vintage industry is currently experiencing what many believe to be a modern revival, drawing in a variety of decorative arts enthusiasts from a number of different backgrounds and tastes. 

Whether you've been curating a collection of early American rustic furniture for decades or are just beginning to appreciate the timeless elegance of Mid-Century motifs and designs, there's an undeniable surge of energy pulsating through today's decorative arts industry. With the advent of platforms like Mercari and Chairish, and the meteoric rise of freshly prepared events like the Rooftop-Night-Market at Vintage Land, or the booming popularity of Round Top Antiques Fair, the landscape for antique and vintage shopping is undergoing a dynamic transformation as a new generation of buyers seem to have finally embraced the allure of decorative collecting.

Terri Alrod, a notable figure in the New York design scene with over four decades of experience in the field, says she's observed a seismic shift in how people are integrating antique and vintage themes into their living and collecting spaces today, while also noting that some items and styles seem to be surging in popularity over others. We reached out to Alrod and six other prominent designers and industry-insiders from various regions to uncover the antique and vintage items that savvy investors might want to consider acquiring now, in order to secure some potentially significant resale value down the road.

---

1950s Cat Eye Sunglasses

1. 1950s Sunglasses: "It wasn't just the furniture from this era that was so cool," says Jemma Kirkland from Cat's Eye Vintage, "but all the accessories that came with it." Kirkland says that while she's always had a fondness for early eyewear, it was the 1950s styles that really resonated with her, and her customers. "It was the Golden Age of sunglasses," she says, "and the creations were simply supreme." Early cat eye designs, green-lensed high rim Ray-Bans, and artistic examples from Charles Goldsmith are now all commanding premium prices according to Kirkland, who says that some of her best 'finds' ever have been in drawers of vintage furniture she bought at garage sales. "That's the beauty of finding small collectibles," she says, "sometimes they're just hidden in plain sight."

Vintage 1970s Cartier Watch

2. Vintage Watches: Timepieces from renowned watchmakers have become coveted heirlooms and investments. Vintage Rolex and Omega watches, in particular, have seen a recent surge in value, reveals Boston based watch expert David Mallory. "The craftsmanship and prestige associated with these brands have made them highly desirable among collectors," he says. Add to that the celebrity endorsement from megastars like Tyler The Creator, and Pharrell Williams flaunting their own vintage examples, and it has made acquiring these items almost aspirational. Mallory says that these media star's 'wrist choices' are influencing a broader audience, with a subsequent ripple effect that is creating a surge in prices. ​

1960s Tiled Coffee Table

3. Tiled Coffee Tables: Yes, straight from the 1960s, tiled coffee tables are making a comeback, at least according to Tom Schoefield and his vintage collective in Miami. Schoefield says their vibrant patterns and durable construction make them both functional and eye-catching, especially to a younger generation that's seeking authenticity and sustainability in their purchases. "These vintage tables have gained a lot of favour with my customers," says, Schoefield, "which I think has a lot to do with straddling that line between modern and something that's more traditional." Schoefield notes that up until a year or so ago he could still buy plenty of these pieces for literally peanuts at most thrift stores, but "no more," he says, "prices are rising quickly."

Georgian Kneehole Bureau

4. Georgian & Regency Furniture: "I know, we've heard it all before, but this time there are some strong auction results to back up the claim," says Donna Brasher, an auction consultant who's been mining online sales data through her Austin, Texas company for almost two decades. "I've watched over the years as most 19th century furniture languished near the bottom of our sales charts, but that's begun to change in the last little while," she says, "people are once again buying these classic pieces and the prices are reflecting that move upward." Brasher also acknowledged that based on her recently amalgamated sales data and purchase results, she thinks there's probably a good chance that the rising prices on Georgian and Regency furniture will continue to escalate in the near-term as demand is beginning to show signs of outstripping supply.

1980s Three-Seater Sofa

5. 1980s Furniture & Collectibles: Not to be outdone by the surge in interest for classical antiques, Mary-Beth Thompson, who's kitsch and collectibles shop in San Francisco has been a beacon over the years for hardcore collectors of vintage furniture, says that the 80s have definitely become 'a thing' with millennial buyers and collectors. "It's when most of them were born," she says, "so in many ways it's like a call back to home." Boxy shaped white leather and patterned sofas, early console video games, and what many refer to as the 'Golden Age' of toys (think Dungeon & Dragon sets), have all skyrocketed in price, says Thompson. "I used to only carry the odd piece of furniture from the 1980s, but brisk sales of both collectibles and furniture from this era have made it hard to keep many of these items in stock recently."

Baroque Side Table

6. Baroque Furniture & Décor:  As trends in interior design cycle through history, many antique dealers say that the Baroque style is definitely making a comeback, as it tends to blend seamlessly with many contemporary aesthetics. Toronto based designer Philip Mitchell echoed that sentiment when he remarked that he has always loved the juxtaposition between new and old, especially as it relates to the Baroque style. “Hanging a bold abstract painting over a marble-topped Baroque console creates a sharp focal point and is a great way to add character and interest to any space," he says. However, Mitchell also cautioned that if collectors and buyers want to get in on the rising trend, then now is probably going to be the best time if you want to snap up some great pieces at affordable prices.

Wicker Furniture From The 1990s

7. 1990s Wicker Patio Furniture: Mariel Brazier, a long-term dealer who's been selling out of her North Carolina antique and vintage garden shop for almost forty years, says she couldn't quite believe the 'wicker resurgence' herself, until customers started asking for it on-the-reg. Brazier, who's family run business encompasses over twenty-thousand square feet, says that wicker garden sets from the 90s have definitely returned to favour, and are back in a big way with many of her clients. "The stuff made in the early 90s was real," says Brazier, "not like the faux pieces made of plastic that you see today." Brazier said she started getting requests last year from people who remembered the quality of pieces made during that era, as well as from those wanting to redecorate their covered outdoor spaces using authentic wicker examples. Today, Brazier says most items go to wait-listed clients before they even have a chance to hit the showroom floor. "They're all spoken for," she says, "and if they're not, they're usually sold within a few days."

For those hoping to cash-in on these rising trends, there is of course no guarantee as to life-expectancy. However, with a little market research, a bit of legwork, and some good timing, these top picks might just provide the avid collector and savvy dealer with the opportunity to make an extra buck-or-two and possibly quite a bit more...

- AIA Staff Writers

NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. 

Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508.

---