Collections, Estates & Inherited Antiques We Buy

At a Glance

Private Antique Collections

We consider selected private collections built over many years or several decades. These may range from a small group of carefully chosen objects to extensive collections containing hundreds of items.

A collection can sometimes have a character and historical value that is greater than the importance of each object considered individually. The collector’s focus, organisation, labels, notes, catalogues and acquisition history can all help explain how the collection was formed.

If a collection is already arranged in cabinets, albums, trays, boxes or labelled groups, it is usually best to preserve that organisation until review.

Specialist Collections

We consider selected specialist collections built around a particular maker, subject, historical period, country, material or collecting field.

Examples may include collections of porcelain, medals and orders, coins and banknotes, books, watches, toys, photographs, textiles, military memorabilia or decorative objects.

Specialist collections may contain subtle variations that are easy to overlook without context. Collector labels, model numbers, catalogues, old receipts, reference books and handwritten notes should therefore be kept with the collection.

Family Heirlooms

Family heirlooms may include jewellery, watches, photographs, documents, medals, furniture, porcelain, paintings, books and other objects passed from one generation to another.

The family history associated with an object can sometimes provide important provenance. Names, dates, photographs, letters, inventories and memories about where an object came from may help reconstruct its history.

You do not need to prove every family story before contacting us. Simply preserve any information you already have and distinguish known facts from family tradition where possible.

Inherited Estates & Household Contents

An inherited estate may contain a mixture of antique furniture, paintings, porcelain, silver, jewellery, books, documents, rugs, toys and smaller collectibles.

When faced with an entire household or estate, it can be difficult to know which objects deserve closer attention. There is no need to make those decisions alone before an initial review.

Begin with broad photographs of rooms, cabinets, shelves and groups of objects. Follow these with closer photographs of older, unusual, signed, marked or obviously collected pieces.

Mixed Antique Collections

Not every collection has a single theme. Many inherited groups contain objects acquired for different reasons and across several generations.

A mixed collection might contain porcelain, coins, paintings, watches, medals, books, photographs, furniture, silver and decorative objects side by side.

This is not a problem. In fact, reviewing the collection as a whole can sometimes reveal relationships between objects that would be missed if everything were immediately separated by category.

How Do We Review a Collection?

An initial review may consider both individual objects and the collection as a whole. Depending on the material, useful factors can include:

• types of objects represented;
• overall quality and coherence;
• makers, artists or manufacturers;
• historical periods;
• rarity and unusual variations;
• originality and authenticity;
• condition and restoration;
• completeness of sets or groups;
• original boxes, labels and documentation;
• provenance and family history;
• specialist or collector focus;
• current collector demand;
• relevant recent comparable sales.

Provenance, Receipts & Collection Records

Documentation can be especially valuable when reviewing a collection. Useful material may include:

• old purchase receipts;
• auction catalogues;
• collector inventories;
• handwritten notes;
• old photographs;
• certificates;
• correspondence;
• original boxes and labels;
• family documents;
• previous valuation or insurance records.

These records should not automatically be treated as proof of authenticity, but they can help establish ownership history, identify objects and preserve the story of the collection.

What Should You Avoid Before Selling an Inherited Collection?

Do You Buy Small Collections?

Yes. A collection does not need to fill an entire house. A small, focused group of good objects may be just as interesting as a much larger collection.

We consider individual groups and specialist collections based on their contents rather than simply on the number of pieces.

Large Collections & Estates

For larger collections, the first step does not need to be an exhaustive catalogue.

A useful initial overview can include photographs of:

• entire rooms or display areas;
• cabinets and shelves;
• groups of similar objects;
• representative important pieces;
• makers’ marks and signatures;
• boxes containing documents or photographs;
• collection inventories, if available.

This helps establish the overall scope before more detailed review is considered.

What Should You Photograph?

What Information Should You Send?

You do not need to prepare a professional catalogue. If available, include:

• approximate number of objects;
• main collecting categories;
• clear overview photographs;
• close-ups of important marks or signatures;
• whether the collection was built by one collector;
• known historical periods or makers;
• original boxes, labels or catalogues;
• known damage or restoration;
• existing inventories or records;
• any reliable family or ownership history.