We Buy Antiques
The Old Antiquarian · Antique Buying & Collector Services
Looking to sell an antique, a family heirloom, a private collection or inherited objects?
The Old Antiquarian considers selected antiques, vintage objects and historical collectibles, backed by more than 35 years of experience in the world of antiques.
Start with a few clear photographs. We can make an initial review and, when an object or collection is of interest, discuss the next steps and a possible purchase offer.
Last Updated: September 2026 · The Old Antiquarian
Quick Answer: How Can I Sell Antiques to The Old Antiquarian?
Send clear photographs of the object or collection together with any information you know about its age, maker, markings, provenance, dimensions and condition. We make an initial review from the information provided. If the item is of interest to us, we will explain the next steps and may make a purchase offer. A photograph-based review is preliminary and does not always provide enough information for definitive authentication, attribution or valuation.
Selling Antiques at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What do you buy? | Selected antiques, vintage objects, historical collectibles, individual items, collections and estates. |
| How do I start? | Send clear photographs and the information you already know. |
| Do you buy single objects? | Yes. A single interesting object can be just as relevant as a larger collection. |
| Do you buy collections? | Yes. We consider private collections, specialist collections, inherited collections, libraries and archives. |
| Is the photo review a final appraisal? | No. It is an initial review and some objects require further examination. |
| Experience | More than 35 years in the world of antiques and collectible objects. |
Experience
Start from home
Welcome
Considered
Clear communication
What Antiques Do We Buy?
We consider antiques and collectible objects across a number of specialist fields. Choose a category below to see what we consider, which identification details can matter and what photographs are most useful for an initial review.
Art & Decorative Arts
Paintings, artwork, Orthodox icons, religious art, bronze sculpture, glass, crystal and decorative objects.
Furniture & Interior Objects
Antique furniture, mirrors, cabinets, tables, desks and decorative interior pieces.
Porcelain, Ceramics & Tableware
Antique porcelain, figurines, ceramics, tea sets, dinner services and tableware.
Jewellery, Silver & Watches
Antique jewellery, silver and gold objects, pocket watches, wristwatches and clocks.
Coins, Banknotes & Numismatics
Coins, banknotes, tokens and specialist or inherited numismatic collections.
Militaria & Historical Collectibles
Orders, medals, badges, uniforms, military memorabilia and historical documents.
Books, Documents & Photography
Rare books, libraries, manuscripts, historical documents, photographs, postcards, maps and archives.
Textiles, Rugs & Traditional Objects
Antique rugs, textiles, embroidery, historic clothing and traditional garments.
Toys & Vintage Collectibles
Dolls, tin toys, mechanical toys, figures, vintage advertising and general collectibles.
Collections, Estates & Inherited Antiques
Private collections, specialist collections, family heirlooms, inherited estates and mixed collections.
Not sure which category your object belongs to?
You do not need to identify it before contacting us. Send photographs of the whole object, its base or reverse, markings and important details. We can begin from there.
Not Sure Whether Your Object Is an Antique?
People often inherit objects without knowing exactly what they are. A piece may have remained in a family for decades without surviving information about its maker, date or origin.
Do not assume that an object has no interest simply because you cannot identify it yourself. Equally, age alone does not make every object rare or valuable.
If you are uncertain about terminology, our guide
What Is an Antique?
explains age, authenticity, rarity and collector interest. For younger collectible objects, see
What Is Vintage?
.
The most remarkable discoveries often begin with a simple question.
Have Something You Would Like Us to See?
Send clear photographs together with any information you know about the object. You do not need to clean, restore or identify it first.
Initial Photo Review · No Obligation · 35+ Years of Experience
How to Sell Antiques to The Old Antiquarian
The first stage is deliberately simple. In many cases there is no reason to transport an object before we have seen basic photographs and information.
Send Photographs
Show the whole object together with important details, markings and condition.
Initial Review
We consider the photographs and information you have provided.
Discussion
If the object is of interest, we discuss additional information and the appropriate next step.
Possible Offer
When appropriate, we may make a considered purchase offer based on the object and relevant market.
What Photographs Should You Send?
Good photographs can make an initial review much more useful. Whenever possible, send several clear images rather than one distant photograph.
| Photograph | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Whole object | Shows overall form, proportions and type. |
| Reverse or underside | Often reveals construction, marks, labels and wear. |
| Maker’s mark or signature | Can assist identification and attribution. |
| Close-up details | Shows decoration, workmanship, materials and techniques. |
| Damage or restoration | Condition is an important part of the review. |
| Boxes, labels and documents | May provide context, provenance and evidence of completeness. |
It is also helpful to include approximate dimensions, your location and anything you know about how the object entered the family or collection.
How Do We Review an Antique?
There is no reliable formula in which age automatically equals value. Two objects that appear similar at first glance may have very different levels of collector interest.
Depending on the category, we may consider factors such as:
- maker, artist or manufacturer;
- period and date;
- authenticity;
- rarity;
- quality of craftsmanship;
- model, pattern or variant;
- materials;
- condition;
- repairs and restoration;
- original surface or patina;
- original boxes or accessories;
- provenance;
- historical significance;
- current collector demand;
- relevant completed sales where appropriate.
An Initial Photo Review Is Not Always a Definitive Valuation
Photographs can provide useful information, but some objects require closer inspection before authenticity, condition, attribution or value can be judged with confidence. We prefer to say when more information is needed rather than give an unsupported conclusion.
We Buy Individual Antiques
You do not need an entire collection to contact us. A single object can be historically significant, rare or highly collectible.
This may include a painting, medal, porcelain figure, piece of silver, watch, rare book, document, decorative object or another item that deserves closer attention.
A room full of old objects is not automatically more important than one exceptional piece. We are interested in quality, history and collector relevance rather than quantity alone.
We Buy Antique Collections & Inherited Estates
Collections often require a different approach from individual objects. Their importance may lie not only in separate pieces, but also in the relationships between them.
We consider private collections, specialist collections, libraries, archives, mixed family collections and inherited estates.
For more detailed information about larger groups, family heirlooms and inherited material, see
Collections, Estates & Inherited Antiques We Buy
.
Before separating a coherent collection, photograph it as a whole and preserve inventories, notes, labels and associated documents wherever possible.
Selling Inherited Antiques
Inherited objects can be difficult to assess because the person who knew their history may no longer be available to explain them.
If you have inherited a group of antiques, it is usually better to document the collection before cleaning, discarding or dividing it.
Look for old labels, handwritten notes, receipts, auction catalogues, family photographs, original boxes, certificates and information about previous owners.
Important:
If you are dealing with a mixed inheritance, do not discard ordinary-looking objects before the collection has been reviewed. Historically interesting material is not always immediately impressive.
What Should You Avoid Before Selling an Antique?
Many owners understandably want an object to look its best before showing it to a specialist. With antiques, however, aggressive cleaning or restoration can remove original surfaces or useful evidence.
| Before Contacting Us | Why? |
|---|---|
| Do not aggressively polish metal | Original patina and surface can be altered or lost. |
| Do not repaint furniture | Original finishes and construction evidence may be obscured. |
| Do not glue broken porcelain hastily | Poor adhesive repairs can complicate later conservation. |
| Do not wash old textiles automatically | Dyes, fibres and old repairs may be unstable. |
| Do not laminate documents | The treatment may permanently alter historic paper. |
| Do not remove labels or inscriptions | They may contain evidence of origin, maker or provenance. |
In most cases, clear photographs of the object in its present condition are more useful than attempted restoration before the first review.
Where Can You Sell Antiques?
There is no single best selling route for every antique. The appropriate option depends on category, rarity, likely buyer, urgency and how much of the selling process the owner wants to manage.
| Selling Route | May Suit | Things to Consider |
|---|---|---|
| Antique dealer | Owners seeking a direct sale | Dealer interest depends on category, quality and market. |
| Auction house | Objects suitable for competitive bidding | Fees, timing, reserves and sale results vary. |
| Specialist collector | Highly specific material | Finding the appropriate collector can take time. |
| Online marketplace | Sellers prepared to manage the process themselves | Research, photography, description, payment and shipping become the seller’s responsibility. |
For owners who prefer to begin with a direct conversation, The Old Antiquarian offers a simple starting point: send photographs and information first, then decide what to do next.
Why Sell to The Old Antiquarian?
Long experience with antiques, historical objects and collector markets.
We explain what we can determine and when further information is necessary.
The history behind an object can matter as much as the object itself.
From one object to a lifetime collection or inherited group.
An initial enquiry does not oblige you to sell.
We consider craftsmanship, context and collector significance rather than age alone.
More Than 35 Years in the World of Antiques
Experience matters most when it helps us recognise what deserves a closer look and, just as importantly, when it teaches us not to make conclusions too quickly.
Antiques cross borders, cultures and historical periods. Objects found in one European family may have been made hundreds or thousands of kilometres away and may carry influences from several different traditions.
That is one of the ideas behind The Old Antiquarian: to understand objects not only as things to buy and sell, but as witnesses to the historical crossroads through which people, craftsmanship and cultures have travelled.
Preserve the Story Before You Sell
If an object has been in your family, write down what you know before that information disappears.
A short note can preserve:
- who owned the object;
- where the family lived;
- when it entered the family;
- whether it was inherited, purchased or brought from another country;
- the name of the original owner;
- any story associated with its use or discovery.
Provenance does not automatically make an object valuable, but genuine historical information can be important for understanding it properly.
Finding New Guardians for Remarkable Objects.
Would You Like to Sell an Antique or Collection?
Send photographs of the object, marks, signatures, reverse or base, visible condition and any associated documents. If you have an entire collection, begin with several general photographs and close-ups of representative objects.
Initial Photo Review · No Obligation · More Than 35 Years of Experience
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Antiques
Do you buy antiques from private owners?
Yes. We consider individual antiques, family heirlooms, private collections and inherited groups offered by their owners.
What antiques are you interested in buying?
Our interests include art and decorative arts, furniture, porcelain and ceramics, jewellery and silver, watches and clocks, coins and banknotes, books and documents, militaria, textiles, toys, vintage collectibles and selected collections and estates.
Can I sell just one antique?
Yes. You do not need a complete collection. A single object may have significant historical, artistic or collector interest.
Do you buy entire collections?
Yes. We consider private collections, inherited collections, specialist collections, libraries, archives and mixed estates.
Do you buy inherited antiques and family heirlooms?
Yes. Preserve related documents, photographs, boxes and family information wherever possible, as these may help explain provenance and relationships between objects.
How do I know whether my antique is valuable?
Value depends on more than age. Maker, rarity, condition, authenticity, provenance, craftsmanship and collector demand can all be relevant.
Can you value an antique from photographs?
Photographs can support an initial review, but they do not always provide enough information for definitive authentication, attribution or valuation. Some objects require closer examination.
Should I clean an antique before sending photographs?
Usually not. Avoid aggressive polishing, washing, repainting or restoration before the object has been reviewed. Original surfaces, labels, marks and patina may be important.
What photographs should I send?
Send the entire object, front and back where relevant, the underside or base, maker’s marks, signatures, labels, important details and any visible damage or restoration.
Do I have to sell after contacting you?
No. Sending an enquiry and photographs does not oblige you to sell.
What affects a purchase offer?
The exact factors vary by category, but may include authenticity, maker, date, rarity, condition, provenance, completeness and current collector demand.
What if I do not know anything about the object?
That is not a problem. Send clear photographs and tell us only what you genuinely know. You do not need to identify the object yourself before contacting us.
Continue Exploring
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Find the right starting point for selling, valuation or expert guidance.
Identification, marks, dating, manufacturers and value factors.
About The Old Antiquarian
The Old Antiquarian brings more than 35 years of experience in antiques, historic objects and collectibles. Our international collection and editorial work explore objects from Europe’s historic crossroads, where cultures, empires and traditions have met for centuries.
Our approach combines careful observation, historical research and respect for provenance. Whether an object is being identified, collected, preserved or offered for sale, the goal is the same: to understand it before making conclusions about it.
The Old Antiquarian
Finding New Guardians for Remarkable Objects.