People might think that the things in their grandma’s house, from china sets to porcelain figures, lack style, sleekness, and sophistication. However, they don’t know that these old things that lack sleekness more than make up for their uniqueness and antiqueness.
In case you have been asked to help declutter her home or mentioned some items in her will, it’s good to know their value before you donate to Goodwill or give away in a yard sale. Vintage products are a big obsession with US consumers who shop vintage to decorate their home, as a hobby, or for sentimental value.
Vintage Rugs And Carpets
If you come across an old rug in your grandma’s house that has been in the family for generations, do not throw it away. Find out its origins. If the rug is Persian, hand-knotted, and is in good condition and rare, there are chances it can fetch you a good price.
To give you context, a 17th-century, Persian rug from the William Andrews Clark estate sold for an astonishing $33.8 million at a Sotheby’s auction in 2013. This Sickle-Leaf carpet, probably from Kerman in Southeast Persia, present-day Iran, far exceeded its pre-auction estimate of $5 to $7 million.
European Ceramics And Porcelain
European ceramics, particularly porcelain pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries, can fetch impressive prices. Brands like Meissen, Sevres, and Royal Vienna are particularly prized for their craftsmanship and history.
For instance, a Sevres porcelain vase from the 19th century, called Diana with her Companions, was estimated to sell for €2000-3000 at Tiberius auctions in Vienna, Austria in 2021. If your grandma’s china cabinet holds similar pieces, it might be worth a closer look.
Glass Lamps And Vases
Antique glass lamps, especially Tiffany lamps and Murano hand-blown vases are in high demand among collectors. Their unique styling, intricate designs, and the quality of the craftsmanship set them apart and make them highly valuable.
A Tiffany Studio’s “Wisteria” table lamp was expected to sell for US$ 800,000 at Sotheby’s, highlighting the everlasting appeal of vintage glass items.
Murano lamps and vases, crafted with centuries-old techniques from Venice, Italy, are another valuable item. Authentic Murano glass pieces can fetch anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Even smaller or lesser-known designs can still command high prices.
Clocks
Antique clocks, including grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, or ornate wall clocks, often have both antique and monetary value. Clocks made by renowned makers like Cartier or Patek Philippe are particularly sought after. A 19th-century French mantel clock sold for £7,500 in London. The rarity of the mechanism and the beauty of the design can make these timepieces a hidden treasure in grandma’s house.
Continental Furniture
Old European furniture pieces, especially those crafted in the 17th and 18th centuries, are highly collectible. French Louis XV chairs, Italian Renaissance chests, or Dutch marquetry cabinets are a few examples that could be worth significant amounts. Apart from European furniture pieces, antique American furniture is also highly sought after, particularly pieces from the Federal and Colonial periods. Whether it’s a European armoire or an American Queen Anne chair, it would be worth getting it appraised; young American millennials are interested in purchasing vintage furniture.
Pianos
A piano in your grandma’s house isn’t just an instrument; it could be an antique treasure. Whether it is playable or not, an old piano can often be restored and sold for a significant sum.
Brands like Steinway & Sons, Bösendorfer, and Yamaha can retain or even increase in value over time, especially if they’re well-maintained and have historical significance. For instance, a Steinway piano from the early 1900s was estimated to be sold for $80,000-$120,000 at an auction in Atlanta.
Vintage Hardware
Door knobs, cabinet handles, and other vintage hardware made of brass or bronze can be surprisingly valuable. Their unique designs and antique value appeal to collectors and home renovators. Grandma’s old doors and cabinets might hold more than meets the eye.
Dinner Sets
Antique dinner sets are not only elegant but also valuable. Unique, custom, or handmade complete sets in good condition with intricate patterns can fetch thousands of dollars. Even incomplete sets or mismatched pieces can be worth some money if they’re rare or collectible. Do not look down upon your vintage Corelle dinnerware or China sets especially if their designs are intact, thanks to saving such sets only for special occasions and holidays.
Mirrors
Old mirrors with ornate frames, especially those from the Victorian era, French or Italian style, or Neo classical Russian style are highly prized for their craftsmanship. Gilded or carved wood frames can add significant value. If your grandma’s mirror has a decorative frame, it might be worth a second glance as it can fetch you a few hundred or thousands.
Antique Memorabilia
Grandma’s house might hold a treasure trove of small yet valuable items like old thermometers, vintage calendars, ornate jewelry boxes, coins, vintage toys, rare comic books, stamps, and collectible knives. These everyday objects from decades ago are now considered rare artifacts by collectors and considered a good financial investment with their market size growing sizeably.
For instance, vintage pocket knives from brands like Case or Buck can sell for hundreds, while antique jewelry boxes, especially those made of silver or intricately carved wood, can fetch equally impressive sums. Even something as simple as an early 20th-century advertising thermometer or a mid-century desk calendar can be highly collectible if it features a unique design or branding.
Vintage Photographs And Postcards
Grandma’s old photographs and postcards might not seem valuable to someone outside the family, but rare images or limited-edition postcards can appeal to collectors. Photos from significant historical events or rare postcards featuring iconic locations can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. Even less famous photographs as long as they are old and rare can still hold value for niche collectors.
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