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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. Dealers Predict 1980s Style Sales Resurgence  Are 1980's Sales Numbers On The Horizon? New York - While we've all heard the popular refrain before about how great antique sales were during the heady 1980's, it would seem that today's current market may now be on a trajectory to repeat that performance. After years of market fluctuations, antique dealers are experiencing what many describe as a renaissance reminiscent of the industry's 1980s peak, albeit with some distinctly modern characteristics. A number of seasoned veterans and decorative arts analysts say they've witnessed a market shift in the past couple of years that points to a convergence of factors for creating what some are calling "the perfect set-up" for the sale of antique and vintage goods. "I don't know if we're there quite yet," says, Tom Patterson, an east coast antique dealer who's been in the business for almost fifty years, "but we're getting pretty close." Patterson, whose family run concern has been in continuous operation since 1965, says that while sales of dark furniture are just starting to come back, sales of Art Deco, early Americana, and even some late Victoriana have all jumped dramatically over the past few years. "It's a younger buyer whose looking for more than just a deal on used furniture," says Patterson, "and it's not just Mid-century stuff either, we're starting to sell to a whole new batch of next-gen Yuppies who are much more concerned with quality and distinctiveness than ever before." While sales have risen sharply, Patterson cautions that it may still take another year or so for the trend to fully set in and reach numbers comparable to the 1980s, but believes that recent sales show the pendulum is finally swinging back towards a more traditional type of decor with today's buyers.  Robert Sheffield, owner of Sheffield Antiques in Charleston and a dealer since 1975, also sees striking parallels: "In the eighties, we had the baby boomers establishing their wealth and seeking quality pieces. Today, we're seeing millennials and Gen X buyers with similar enthusiasm but with different motivations." Sheffield says that his volume of sales over the last two years is beginning to match what he experienced in the mid-1980s. "Granted, it's a broader spectrum of clients we're selling to," he says, "but sales are sales." However, it's not just the standard recycling of a trend from the past that has caught the attention of dealers and analysts recently. The digital transformation has also dramatically expanded the reach of the decorative arts market to an entirely new audience. Mary Elizabeth Watson, President of the National Antique Dealer Association (NADA), notes that online platforms have revolutionized the industry: "In the eighties, we were limited to local markets and major shows. Now, a dealer in Maine can sell to a collector in California within minutes. Our member surveys show average dealer revenues are up thirty-eight percent since 2022." Dealer, Victoria Martinez also echos this sentiment, "Instagram has become our most powerful tool," she says, "our Boston-based vintage furniture business has grown three-hundred percent since 2023. "We're seeing pieces sell within hours of posting, something unimaginable in previous decades."  First-Time Buyers Moving Markets Christopher Chang, chief market analyst at an antiques & collectibles trading Index, points to changing consumer priorities: "The 1980s boom was driven by investment potential and status," he says, "today's market is fueled by sustainability concerns, authenticity seeking, and rejection of mass-market goods." Chang says that his aggregated data shows first-time buyers of antiques, vintage, and collectible items in the twenty-five to forty-year age range have doubled since 2021. "That's some strong growth," says Chang, who also noted that his current modelling projections show these numbers continuing to rise into the foreseeable future. However, it's not just online or decorative related sales that are moving the industry forward. The changing nature of work has also impacted the antique and vintage marketplace. "Home offices have become a major driver," explains Paul Durham, from Vintage Office Furniture. "We're seeing unprecedented demand for antique desks, bookcases, and library furniture. Pieces that might have sat unsold for months four or five years ago now have waiting lists." Durham says that the hybrid work model has seen sales jump in almost every category. "People just don't want regular office furnishings from a big-box store in their home," he says, "they want something unique and original and they're turning to antique and vintage pieces to fill that need." Laura Chen, founder of Vintage Market Analytics, highlights how today's market differs from the eighties: "While the 1980s focused heavily on formal furniture and traditional antiques, today's market embraces a broader definition of collectibles. Mid-century modern, vintage, industrial pieces, and even retro items from the last couple of decades of the twentieth century are now considered collectible," says Chen, "It's a much larger market base to purchase from than ever before." Of course economic uncertainties can always play a role in market stability, says Patricia Morrison, senior market analyst at Heritage Auctions. However, Morrison also notes that in times of market volatility, tangible assets can also become more attractive. "We're seeing particularly strong interest in Art Deco and Arts & Crafts pieces, with some categories showing price increases in excess of fifty percent over the last three years." Morrison attributes the rise in values to a 'buy & hold' mentality, "People are seeing antiques as an investment again." Despite the threat of potential market fluctuations and changing tastes, many industry experts are now predicting that prices will likely remain on an upward trajectory as the appeal of antiques and vintage inspired decor continues to grow in popularity. Limited supply, coupled with the sustainability factor, and heightened demand for quality, means that this current antique and decorative arts boom may have the staying power to not only equal 1980s sales figures, but could potentially surpass them in a new golden age of its own. - A.I.A. 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. |
AIA StaffWe're providing our students and reader's with the latest breaking news on events and happenings that we think might be of interest to both collectors and dealers alike. Including changes within the world of antiques, vintage, collectibles and appraising that might just have an effect on your bottom line. We're also interested in hearing from you - so if you've got a great newsworthy story, let us know, and you just might find it here! Archives
April 2025
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