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Antiques: investments...or just for fun?
Posted by Chris on 29/09/2023
Gold, oil, stocks, currencies, crypto – they’re all investments with benefits…and drawbacks. They say that investing shouldn’t be sexy, but why not make it enjoyable?
Unlike many investment vehicles – affected by inflation and market volatility – antique and collectable values rise with scarcity and quality. In recessions, your items are unlikely to devalue, and are highly worthwhile considering.
Importantly, antiques are likely to bring you sentimentality, practical usefulness, and joy. It can of course be joyful to see your stocks rise a percentage point or two, but they just don’t have the same personality. Antiques, on the other hand, tell a story with their colourful tapestry of history and provenance. By investing in them, you add your own name there.
How do you know if an antique is a good investment or not? Brought to you by Antiques.co.uk, there are key steps to doing it properly.
Antiques.co.uk: the UK’s most established online antiques marketplace
Antiques.co.uk is the brainchild of global art and antiques expert Iain Brunt (pictured), who set it up in 1996. It is now the UK’s go-to online antiques marketplace.
Cutting his teeth in galleries in New York, London, Paris and Japan, under the supervision of prolific art dealer Daniel Wildenstein, Iain set up shop in London’s Pimlico Road – the heart of the capital’s antiques scene. He made waves in the mid-90s when he coined the concept of antiques in pairs.
Iain saw the internet’s potential before most: “England has always been the heart and centre of the antiques world, steeped in history…I want to place us back on the world map as the best antique dealers in the world.”
As an independent art advisor he now continues to advise private clients, corporations and institutions on acquisitions and disposals of important works of art. This, he says, is becoming “one the fastest growing industries globally – investments involve many aspects other than the object itself.”
Opening up the online antiques market has given everyone the chance to list items on the global marketplace. By doing so, they tap into thousands of collectors, interior designers and dealers.
How to find the best antiques
With the wide range of antique shops, dealers, flea markets and galleries, it can be hard to find the right antiques to invest in. As a buyer, there are certain questions you should be asking about a piece before you buy.
Firstly, Iain says it’s about observation rather than questions, “your eyes will provide the answers to anything you need to know. Look carefully and try to learn from your mistakes. Don’t be overwhelmed by your excitement: never buy unless you are completely sure.”
Iain adds that inexperienced buyers don’t look closely enough. You should ask yourself: “What is it that makes this piece so special?”
“To prepare for the moment of purchasing your first piece, try visiting museums and looking closely at pieces and styles. When you go to buy something, remember those pieces and ask yourself whether this could be in a museum, and, therefore, is it good enough? If your answer is yes, buy it – but don’t rush.”
How to settle on a genre
The Antiques.co.uk categories reveal a huge range of choices, from silver and furniture, ceramics and art to collectables, toys and armoury. All of these span several decades, centuries and styles. So where do you start?
Iain recommends choosing a period and objects that you like and enjoy: “try and visit as many museums, shops, galleries and exhibitions that deal with the subject you’re interested in, and talk to expert dealers.” He adds that searching the Internet is also a good place to start.
Starting your collection
The old adage, ‘buy the best you can afford’ is a good rule to live by when collecting antiques. Simply put, there’s no point buying several lesser quality works when you could instead invest in one fantastic piece.
That being said, a collection built on integrity and with a good selection of items may be worth more than pieces priced individually. When buying, you should apply your business filters, but the main requirement is simple: you must like it.
Iain adds: “there are antiques in every culture – each provides a different interpretation or representation, and some are more interesting to collect than you first realise. The most important advice is to enjoy the piece you’ve bought and have some fun discovering the world of antiques.”
Valuing your existing collection
Many people already own pieces, whether bought or inherited – but have no idea of how much they might be worth.
Luckily there is a solution: get your items independently valued by one of Antiques.co.uk’s experts. With a wealth of experience, you’ll be able to find out how much you can sell it for – and the option to list it to thousands of potential buyers browsing our website.
> Get started: find out how much your items are worth!