Why does nobody want to buy antiques?

[Anonymous]

Spin off from another thread.

I cognitively understand that antiques are worth less these days. I just don’t get why. I love antiques. They’re often sturdy, always better for the planet, and made without hazardous chemicals. They’re safer in a house fire, due to slower burn time and not letting off noxious gas. If damaged, they can be refinished. Sure, I don’t care for ceramic figurines, commemorative plates, or other tchotchkes, but surely there’s a place for nice case goods.

[Anonymous]

It's pure supply and demand. They're not rare.

[Anonymous]

It is outdated and does not go with the modern new builds. Think about it - you have nice new flooring and lights, why would you want to bring someone else's grandma's couch or dining set?

[Anonymous]

Consider that a true antique is at least 100 years old, so furniture from 1924. That era was wood/all brown and trend is away from brown furniture so most pieces get repainted or donated or trashed.

The scale seems off - positively tiny in today’s new homes with open plans. I know from experience in that I was fortunate to furnish nearly my entire first home with so much from my late grandparents everything from nightstands to dressers to desks and a cedar chest. Twenty years later, only a few pieces remain. Some I’ve passed along to family members, some have broken and I’ve recently donated even more - I just want something newer and fresher and these pieces seem just…tired.

Same reason I’m about to donate my very plain wedding china - it’s just lost its appeal and my lifestyle and tastes have changed.

[Anonymous]

I love antiques. I have them shipped here from all over the world. I had a plank dining table built, finished in a dark stain and a wax finish, poured gold metal legs. Added 1859 shield back chairs from the UK, and an ornate brass and crystal chandelier shipped from Italy. Unexpected and beautiful with high ceilings and modern space. And I have plenty of things like that.

What I didn't want was regular furniture ordered from even a high end furniture store. So it's a mix and match of things.

[Anonymous]

Many antiques seem overpriced to me or the people who sell them think they are more valuable than I do. Plus, it also seems like you need to be the kind of person who enjoys spending your time searching for stuff. I am not that person.

[Anonymous]

Antiques are expensive for most people, even if for you they're not. We sold a bunch at Christie's years ago, so I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's pure supply and demand. They're not rare.

This- everyone and everyone's parents already have a full house of them! And we're tired of moving them.

[Anonymous]

Storage needs are different, and scale is different.

Some antiques were contemporary reproductions of older styles. Those don’t age particularly well.

A lot of antiques still have a good market. China cabinets? No.

It’s also not true that old=quality. I have a Victorian-era dresser that I love. It’s old, but it was made cheaply and in mass quantities from ash. It’s the IKEA of its day. It has a heavy marble top and I love it but opening the drawers is a pain. Some things are just old, not spectacular.

[Anonymous]

Your premise is wrong.

Good condition case goods other than china cabinets sell well and lots of people want them.

China cabinets don’t because there is a glut of them and the purpose they served for past generations doesn’t exist anymore (display those ceramic figures, and china sets for 12).

When you see an antique side table or dresser not selling well it is very often not in good condition. And while you can spend a weekend fixing it and have a nice piece of furniture…the majority of people don’t have the time, equipment, skill, space, expertise and/or desire to do that.

[Anonymous]

On Chairish and eBay, it seems antiques are selling.

We bought mid-century modern furniture, which is technically too young to be an antique. But it’s old.

The good is that it’s sustainable and high quality. The downside is that it’s not finished so that someone can spill a hot drink without damaging the wood.

We have other very old pieces and not enough room for them all. One dresser is dark brown, and the drawers are skinny and hard to open. I use it for items I don’t need to access every day.

[Anonymous]

The reality is there are very few true antiques. Most of what you’re Buying is vintage. If it’s from the 1950s it’s not antique

[Anonymous]

I like antiques but think I own a total of one truly antique item.
I think family needs/homes have changes. We have closets now so don’t need huge armoires, we don’t use formal dining rooms much, TVs get hung on the wall etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many antiques seem overpriced to me or the people who sell them think they are more valuable than I do. Plus, it also seems like you need to be the kind of person who enjoys spending your time searching for stuff. I am not that person.

I have more antiques and vintage than I probably would because of 1st dibs and Chairish. If I couldn’t search by dimensions, I wouldn’t be willing to look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's pure supply and demand. They're not rare.

This- everyone and everyone's parents already have a full house of them! And we're tired of moving them.

They are also quite heavy to move.