Not sure whether to sell your antiques through a dealer, auction house, online marketplace or another route? Our free Antique Selling Guide helps you compare the main options based on what you have, how quickly you want to sell and how much time and effort you want to put into the process.
The best way to sell an antique is not always the same for every item. A single piece of quality furniture may suit a different selling route from a collection of jewellery, artwork, ceramics or the contents of a house. The likely value, condition, size and demand for an item can also affect which option is most practical.
Answer a few simple questions about the items you are considering selling and the guide will suggest routes that may suit your circumstances, such as selling directly to an antique dealer, using an auction house, selling privately or listing items online.
The result is intended as a practical starting point rather than a valuation. If you have antique, vintage or quality pre-owned items that may be suitable for Holytown Antiques, you can also send us photographs and details through our Sell to Us page.
How Should I Sell My Antiques?
Choosing the Best Way to Sell Antiques
There is no single best way to sell every antique. The right route depends on what you have, the likely value, how quickly you want to sell and how much time you are prepared to spend dealing with photographs, listings, buyers, packing and collection.
A quality piece of furniture may suit a local antique dealer or auction, while a small collectable may be easier to sell online. A rare painting, important piece of jewellery or specialist collection may benefit from being handled by somebody with experience in that particular field.
Selling Directly to an Antique Dealer
Selling directly to an antique dealer can be a practical option if you want a straightforward sale without having to advertise the item yourself. This can work particularly well for furniture, artwork, decorative pieces and groups of antique or vintage items.
A dealer will normally need to buy below the price they expect to achieve when reselling the item. Their offer has to allow for business costs, transport, storage, restoration where required, the risk that an item may take time to sell and a reasonable resale margin.
The advantage is that, if the item is suitable, you can agree a price directly without waiting for an auction date or dealing with individual retail buyers.
Selling Through an Auction House
Auction houses can be a good option where there is likely to be competitive demand for an item or where you would prefer somebody else to handle the cataloguing and sale.
The final hammer price is determined by bidding, so the outcome is not guaranteed. Before consigning, check the seller’s commission, VAT where applicable, lotting charges, photography charges, insurance, withdrawal fees and any other costs that may be deducted from the sale proceeds.
Our Auction Selling Fees Calculator can help you estimate how auction charges may affect what you ultimately receive.
When to Consider a Specialist Auction or Dealer
If an item may be rare, particularly valuable or associated with a notable maker, artist or designer, specialist advice can be worthwhile before choosing a selling route.
This is especially relevant for fine jewellery, silver, important artwork, rare ceramics, specialist collections and pieces with unusual provenance. Correct identification and cataloguing can sometimes make a significant difference to buyer interest.
If you are unsure what you have, it is often better to research the item before accepting a quick offer or including it in a general clearance.
Selling Antiques Online
Online marketplaces can give sellers access to a large audience and allow you to choose your own asking price. They can work particularly well for smaller items that are easy to photograph, describe and post.
However, selling online can involve considerably more work. You may need to create listings, answer questions, negotiate with buyers, package items, arrange delivery or collection and deal with returns or unsuccessful listings.
An advertised price is also not the same as a sold price. When researching value, completed sales are generally more useful than comparing only with items that remain unsold at high asking prices.
You can use our Antique Price Finder to help research comparable sale results.
Local and Private Sales
A local private sale can be useful for larger furniture and other bulky items that are difficult or expensive to ship.
You retain control of the asking price, but you will also need to handle enquiries, arrange viewings or collections and negotiate directly with buyers. Large furniture can take longer to sell if the potential buyer needs to arrange transport.
Selling Inherited Antiques and House Contents
Inherited collections and house contents can be more complicated because there may be a mixture of valuable pieces, ordinary household items and things with mainly sentimental value.
Before arranging a general clearance, it is sensible to look for maker labels, signatures, hallmarks, artist names and anything that appears unusual or particularly well made. Better items can then be considered separately rather than being grouped with general contents.
Photographing the contents before items are moved can also be useful, particularly if you later need to ask an auctioneer or dealer for advice.
Should I Clean or Restore an Antique Before Selling?
Usually, avoid major restoration until you understand what the item is. Heavy cleaning, stripping, sanding, repainting or replacing original fittings can sometimes reduce the appeal or value of older pieces.
Basic dusting and careful presentation may be appropriate, but if an item appears unusual, valuable or largely original, consider asking for advice before making irreversible changes.
What Information Should I Provide When Offering an Item for Sale?
Good photographs and accurate basic information make it much easier for a dealer, auction house or private buyer to assess an item.
- Clear photograph of the complete item.
- Photographs from the side and back where relevant.
- Measurements.
- Close-ups of labels, stamps, signatures or hallmarks.
- Photographs of damage, repairs or significant wear.
- Any known history or provenance.
- Your general location, particularly for large furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an auction house always the best place to sell antiques?
No. Auctions can work very well for some items, but commissions, other charges, sale timing and uncertainty over the final price should all be considered. A direct dealer sale, specialist sale or private sale may suit other circumstances better.
Will I get more money selling an antique myself?
Possibly, but it normally requires more time and work. Achieving a higher asking price is not guaranteed, and you may need to account for platform charges, packing, delivery, buyer negotiations and the time an item remains unsold.
Why would a dealer offer less than the retail price?
A dealer is buying an item for resale rather than for personal use. The difference between the purchase price and eventual selling price needs to cover overheads, transport, storage, potential restoration, selling costs, risk and profit.
How do I know whether something is valuable before selling it?
Start by looking for maker names, labels, signatures, hallmarks and other identifying marks. Compare genuine sold results where possible and take clear photographs of the construction and condition.
For potentially important or unusual items, specialist advice may be more appropriate than relying on a general online price comparison.
Should I accept the first offer I receive?
That is entirely your decision. If you are uncertain about an item’s identity or potential value, it can be sensible to carry out some research before deciding. You are not obliged to accept an offer simply because an item has been assessed.
Can Holytown Antiques buy items directly?
Yes. Holytown Antiques considers antique, vintage and quality pre-owned items that may be suitable for the shop. This can include furniture, artwork, decorative pieces, homewares, collectables and other interesting items.
Suitability depends on the individual item and our current stock requirements, and there is no obligation to accept an offer.
Have Something to Sell?
If you have an antique, vintage or quality pre-owned item that may be suitable for Holytown Antiques, send us some photographs and basic details and we will be happy to take a look.