As with most businesses this past year, Drew says that ongoing worries related to interest rate hikes had an effect on almost every segment of the economy early on - including antique and vintage concerns. "High interest rates forced people to tighten their belts and head out in search of deals - including those related to decorative arts purchases," he said. The knock-on effect from this was that many of the dealers surveyed indicated a dramatic increase in foot-traffic for their bricks-and-clicks businesses, as people hunted down resale bargains, which translated into higher sales overall. "The rising numbers were across the board," said Drew, "however, there were some notable standouts when it came to the type of antiques and collectables people were buying." ​

Amber Shole, who's been compiling survey data for the school for over thirteen years, says poll results showed that while some customers may have turned to the antique and vintage market for interest rate refuge and a cost of living hack, they stayed for much more. "It's no longer simply about cost-conscious millennial's and Gen Z's scooping up deals on Victorian furniture," says Shole, "but more about buyers looking for long-term decorative commitments, with an eye towards sustainability, uniqueness, and eco-friendly options." 

Shole also noted that while fan favourites like Automobilia, Textiles, and to a lesser extent Mid-Century Modern, continued to prowl near the top of the results board, there was also a strong move towards more traditional antique themes and items, with an early twentieth style that had largely been overlooked in the past decade suddenly surging up the charts. "That's what's really interesting about the surveys," says Shole, "You never really know what categories are going to place where, until all the data is finally in, and even then the results can often come as a bit of a surprise."
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Contrary to previous polling samples, Shole says this year's group of buyers also ran the gamut when it came to age. "For the past few years it's most definitely been the youngsters pushing the antique and vintage markets forward," she said, "but as more traditional antiques have returned, so have some baby-boomers." All of which Shole says just goes to prove the old adage about surprises... 

For those wanting to view the entire line-up from this year's annual survey results of the best-selling antique and vintage genre categories from 2024, including this year's winners, simply click on the link below.

The 1950's Returns
While many baby-boomers still have fond memories of Happy Days reruns and Grease flashbacks, it's another generation that seems to be spinning the wheel forward, at least according to David Kirk, who runs a 1950's vintage themed store in Nevada. "It's all about the kids" says Kirk. "I've been doing this for almost forty years, when boomers were my only customers, but today it's like a third-generation removed." Kirk says that many of his 'younger' clients love the vintage leather jackets, sunglasses, retro-converted car seats, and sock-hop poster memorabilia that adorns his store walls. "It's not Mid-Century stuff per se," says Kirk, "but more like the chrome and vinyl soda-shop bar stools - or what I like to call juke-box décor." Kirk, who also runs an online version of his 50s store, says that sales really began to take-off last year. "I have absolutely no idea why," he mused, but thinks that some of the newfound interest in his 50s-themed Americana items may just be part of a younger generations desire to harken back to what was often perceived as a simpler and less strenuous time in life to grow up in. "I've sold more bobby socks and saddle-shoe combos to kids in their 20s over the last ten months, than over the last five years," says Kirk, "There doesn't appear to be any rhyme or reason to it, other than perhaps a possible breaking trend."  ​

American Folk Art - Portraits
According to some of the top auction houses, sales of Early American antiques are beginning their rise back to prominence within the decorative arts scene, however, a number of auction researchers are also reporting that one particular genre within this field is showing stronger than expected sales. Included in this group is Christie’s Sallie Glover, a specialist in Early American Folk Art who has been predicting the rise in art portraiture for a number of years now. “American folk portraiture appeals to many different types of collectors,” says Glover. “These works can go just as well with traditional American furniture as they do with a modern interior.” Glover's sentiments seem to match other results for online auction reports that also indicate a noticeable rise in popularity for this type of art form. Doris Henley, an Early American themed online dealer who also aggregates realized auction prices for her business, says that sales of her folk art portraits have ballooned over the past ten months. "I could see it coming," says Henley, "at first it was just a dribble, but then it really opened up about a year ago and the prices started to climb." Henley says she doesn't expect the popularity of folk art to wane anytime soon. "Brown wood and history are just coming back into vogue," she says, "this run has a long way to go yet."

Decorated Chests
Inaya Abbas, who runs a specialty themed bricks-and-clicks business devoted to antique blanket boxes and chests, says that while numbers ramped-up after the pandemic and remained constant for the next couple of years, it wasn't until the end of 2023 that she really began to notice an uptick in requests for items and sales of some of her more ornate inventory. "Shaker stuff was selling," says Abbas, "but the more exotic chests that I'd had shipped back from Asia and the Middle East really started to move by the early part of 2024. It's as if a light went off and everyone suddenly decided they had to have a blanket box - it's been crazy busy," she says. Abbas, who's been selling within the decorative arts scene for almost fifteen-years, believes that we're just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg now as people move further away from today's modern motif as a core decorating principle. "I think it's just time for a change, people seem to want more warmth and color now."

Rotary Phones
While it may be hard for some to fathom, since it might only seem like yesteryear that we were all on landlines (we were), Jin Chang says that sales from his retro collection of last century's rotary phones has been on a skyward trajectory since he opened his private collection website to the public and online sales in 2022. "Most of my buyers are Asian kids who love tech stuff." says Chang, "but it's slowly beginning to change." Chang thinks that most of his clients just want that connection to early past tech, and they're willing to pay for it. When he first started out, Chang claims that finding inventory was easy - it was plentiful and cheap - but no longer. "You can still buy some cool 'hole-dialers' at good prices," he notes, but admits that much has changed over the last year or two. "I now have to compete for inventory in some places," he says, "it's not like the old days where you could literally find examples that had been thrown out with the trash." Chang believes that on average, prices for many of his better quality rotary's have probably doubled in price over ​the last year, and he doesn't see that slowing down anytime soon. "I've got more demand than supply," he says, "so until that changes, I think the market will continue to remain strong well into 2025."  

Vintage Studio Ceramics
Once lacking in the doldrums, vintage studio ceramics finally look to be making a comeback as well, at least according to many auction-house insiders and industry dealers. Benjamin Walker, Bonham's head of global decorative arts and design department, says that the auction house is seeing a comeback in interest for clay. “The international market for contemporary British ceramics is well established and has been growing in strength,” says Walker, “We’re now seeing a growing trend in American studio ceramics that is following this interest. Over the past five to ten years the category has gained more public interest and climbed in value.” Recent sales would seem to back-up Walker's claim, as examples from auction results showing a 1968 Hans Coper vase (with top) being sold for a record-setting $790,000 last year. Pam Newley, a New York artist who works in clay, and who also runs an established online gallery devoted to early twentieth-century American ceramics, says that she's also seen a marked increase in interest by consumers for quality ceramic pieces as well - and not just those from studios. "Ten years ago there just wasn't that much of a market for clay anymore," she says, "but in the last two or three years it's all started to come back." Newley, who's been in business for almost thirty-years knows it's cyclical, of course, but says that, "It's just starting-up again," so for those looking to get in on the ground-floor as collectors or re-sellers, "now would probably be a good time."

For most though, trying to ascertain the vagaries and movement patterns of 'in-demand' objects within the field of the decorative arts can often make one feel like you've got a better chance of nailing water to the wall, than getting a reliable market prognostication of things to come. However, as David Kirk is fond of reminding people who visit his store's 1950s-inspired website, "Figuring out what's going to be hot and collectible is easy; it's all just a matter of heading back to the future again... right?"

- A.I.A. Staff Writers
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New York - With the arrival of the New Year heralding the beginning of one of the hottest selling seasons for antique and vintage markets, we thought it might also be the perfect time to reach out to a few long-term industry insiders from within the decorative arts field to get their take on some of the top lessons learned when it comes to the best buying practices for a successful "pick" of antiques and collectibles. For some, this hard-earned wisdom has occasionally come at the expense of a few mistakes, which is why many of the participants were only too happy to share their expertise in the hope that others might avoid similar pitfalls along the way.

Trust Your Instincts
For almost all queried, this simple mantra came in at number one with virtually every dealer and curator polled. While research is essential, 'don't be afraid to trust your gut' was the most familiar refrain heard. "Often, the pieces that truly speak to you are the ones you should invest in," says David Lee, owner of Pixel Playground Retro Games. If an item resonates with you personally, it's more likely to hold sentimental value and potential financial appreciation.

Condition Is Key
While the history of an item is important, its condition is equally crucial. Dr. Lori Verderame, an antiques appraiser and host of "Ask Dr. Lori LIVE," points out, "Even the rarest antique can lose significant value if it's in poor condition. Restoration can help, but it’s always better to find pieces that have been well-preserved." She advises collectors to look for items that are in as close to original condition as possible, as these will retain or likely increase in value over time​.

The Value Or (De-Value) Of Restoration
Tom Robinson's east coast refinishing shop, which has been conducting high-end Georgian furniture restorations for over thirty years, says that restorations can be a double-edged sword. While it can restore an item's former glory, it can also diminish its value if not done correctly. "I've had many novice antique dealers come to me with items they bought 'on sale,' who didn't notice the botched restoration until later when they got it home." By that time it can often be too late says Robinson, who notes that it's incumbent upon the buyer to really examine the more expensive pieces closely before plunking down any cash. "Take some time to lift, prod, poke, turnover, or do whatever is necessary to get a full view of what it is you're buying, and make sure you ask the seller for any known 'fixes' that have been attempted." Robinson says that learning what's considered an "acceptable" restoration often only comes with experience. 

Do Your Research
Research is a cornerstone of successful antiquing. "Understanding the period, style, and maker of an item is essential," says John Atzbach, a specialist in Imperial Russian antiques. "Knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions, whether you’re buying or negotiating prices." Online databases, reference books, and expert consultations are invaluable tools for anyone serious about collecting​ or selling within the industry.

Keep An Eye On Trends
While personal taste can help guide you as a collector, being aware of market trends can be a necessity as a dealer. Michael Andrews, an auctioneer at Andrews & Co., notes, "Certain styles and periods come in and out of fashion. Keeping an eye on what's trending can help you make smarter purchases that appreciate in value." For example, he highlights the ongoing popularity of mid-century modern furniture, which has continued to rise in price recently, despite its decorative resurgence occurring almost twenty years ago. 

Patience Pays Off
Patience is a virtue in the world of antiquing. "Some of the best finds come to those who are willing to wait," says Jane Smith, a veteran antique dealer at Heritage Antiques. She recalls how she once spent years searching for a specific Victorian brooch, only to find it unexpectedly at a small estate sale. "Don’t rush the process. The hunt is half the fun, and patience often leads to the best discoveries," she advises.

Finally, one of the most important lessons according to many of those we spoke with, was the simple concept of 'enjoying the journey.' Antiquing is as much about the experience as it is about the acquisitions. "Don’t get so caught up in the value or rarity of an item that you forget to enjoy the process," says Dr. Lori. "Every piece has a story, and the joy of discovering that story is what makes antiquing such a rewarding endeavor." Whether you're visiting flea markets, estate sales, or antique shops, most dealers were unanimous in their belief that one of the most important aspects of 'antiquing' was to simply savoir the adventure and the connections made along the way.

- A.I.A. Staff Writer's