Antique and vintage furniture is the collecting area that's been least impacted by the online world. Because except at the high end, the market is still largely local due to shipping costs. That said, the market is huge and can be confusing - there are as many different types of furniture as there are tastes and styles and eras.

For a long time, collectors in the U.S. focused on traditional 19th Century furniture categories and styles, like Queen Anne, Chippendale; Federal Style, Colonial Revival, and the many styles that fall under the rubric of Victorian (Gothic Revival, Rococo Revival, Renaissance Revival, Eastlake). Much of this furniture has been heavily influenced by European (e.g. French) and British styles.

In recent decades, modern 20th century styles have gained prominence in the world of antique and vintage furniture, including Arts and Crafts (e.g. Mission Oak Style), Art Deco, and increasingly, Mid-Century Modern (e.g. Eames, Heywood Wakefield, Danish, etc.)...

As with any collecting category, quality is key with antique and vintage furniture. Look for undamaged pieces which have been well cared for, with original finishes, hardware, and patina if possible. Try to understand the piece's history and provenance, and ascertain its maker and originality (mass-produced reproductions have been made of almost every style and piece).

Finally, as any furniture collector will tell you, buy only what you really like, because furniture styles go in and out, and values fluctuate up and down accordingly.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

In the Hot Seat: Is Your Antique Windsor a Fake?

While researching her book, "Killer Stuff and Tons of Money," Maureen Stanton came across all sorts of characters. For years, she … [more]

Oak Shaving Stand Fit For a Governor

I love old things, which is why I’ ve been going to garage sales, flea markets, and auctions for 20 years or so. One day a friend … [more]

For the Love of Danish Modern Furniture

I grew up with antiques, mostly English, and I've lived around the world and traveled a lot as well. Art had always been a passion… [more]

The International Influences of Buffalo Furniture

About 11 years ago, my wife and I went on some architectural tours. We joined the organization that sponsored the tours, and I vol… [more]

Eames, Nelson, and the Mid-Century Modern Aesthetic

As a teenager, I collected everything from vintage bicycles to Coca-Cola to Victorian stuff. Once I realized some of this stuff co… [more]

John Werry Explains How To Appreciate Victorian Furniture

How did I get started collecting Victorian Furniture? Antiques is in my genes, my mother's family were longtime antiquers and live… [more]

Hepplewhite Combined Straight Lines and Bold Curves

Great as was the impact of the Hepplewhite style on furniture design in both Great Britain and America during the last 15 or 20 ye… [more]

Philadelphia Chippendale at Its Best in the Collections of the Philadelphia Museum

Thomas Chippendale lived in the London of great artists whose names are indelibly associated with their work — Garrick and the the… [more]

Furniture Masterpieces by Jacob Bachman

For a considerable number of years, the discriminating antiques collectors of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, have noted the occasional a… [more]

Chippendale Designs as Reflected in English and American Furniture

For over a generation there has been growing contention about Thomas Chippendale and the English and American furniture of his per… [more]

Antique Furniture with Double Uses

“Functional design.” For better than a decade this phrase has been worked and over-worked. Architects, production executives and w… [more]

The Grace of Queen Anne Furniture

Whole books, and many of them, have been written about American furniture of various periods and special localities but one of the… [more]

The Sandersons and Salem Furniture

Part I: For at least thirty years students of American craftsmanship have realized that a large quantity of fine Hepplewhite an… [more]

Chester County Cabinetmakers

The scope covered by the work of Chester County, Pa., cabinetmakers was literally from the cradle to the coffin. The daybooks are … [more]

Birch, the Forgotten Wood of Cabinetmakers

Many qualities have gone into the making of the much discussed "American way" but one of the greatest seems to have been ingenuity… [more]

George Washington and His Presidential Furniture

"Great rejoicing in New York on the arrival of General Washington. Previous to his coming, Uncle Walter's house in Cherry Street w… [more]

▼ Expand this section

Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Buffalo Architecture and History

Buffalo Architecture and History

Chuck LaChiusa's wonderful guide to the architecture and history of Buffalo, NY, also happens to host an impressive… [read review or visit site]

Chipstone

Chipstone

This beautiful site showcases the collection of Stanley and Polly Stone of Fox Point, Wisconsin, consisting of earl… [read review or visit site]

Kentucky Online Arts Resource

Kentucky Online Arts Resource

This huge online database from the Speed Art Museum is a rich trove of beautiful photos and reference information o… [read review or visit site]



Other Great Reference Sites

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 334 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
1969 Pierre Paulin Ribbon Chairs Artifort Turner Ltd Chair Vintage Eames EraHenkel Harris Chippendale Dining Chairs19371:henkel Harris Solid Cherry High-boyHenkel Harris Mahogany Breakfront China #2377clEames 670 671 Lounge Chair And Ottoman Herman Miller Knoll Era Rare LeatherAntique Country French Burl Walnut 6 Pc. Bedroom Set - RomweberGustav Stickley #800 Server No Reserve!Pair Herman Miller/eames Arm Shell Chairs...rare Grass GreenHenkel Harris Euro Bed California King 197Henkel Harris Double Pedestal Dining Table 2207Jenny Lind Solid Walnut Spool Poster Bed True Period. Circa 1830Carved Mahogany Attr. Karpen Armchair With Dolphins Circa 1890s24736:broyhill Brasilia Danish Table & 6 ChairsEros By Kartell Polycarbonate Chairs Phillippe Starck Lucite Space Age ModernVintage Mid-century Hollywood Regengy Brass Rams Head Ibex Gazelle Coffee Table24735:broyhill Brasilia Danish Walnut China CabinetHeywood Wakefield Sculptura 4 Drawer Dresser + 6 Drawer Dresser With Mirror Pair Antique Circa 1900 French Parquetry Inlaid Curio Cabinets W/ OrmoluRare 1950s Edward Wormley/dunbar Marquetry Top Scissor X Legs Side TableAntique Oak Roll Top DeskVintage Wa (williamsburg Adaptation) Kittinger Pembroke Style Table With DrawerMilo Baughman Knoll Op Art Vintage Eames Sectional Sofa Couch Chairs & OttomansDining Table Milo Baughman Burled Maple Mid Century Modern 1970's French Povillian Dining SetStickley Bros.unsigned Mission Oak Serving Cart--881/2Nr Art Deco Mcm Streamline Moderne John Mckay Craft Vtg. 1960's Dux Sweden Mid Century Danish Modern Sofa Couch Folke Ohlsson EamesExquisite Antique Carved Oak Library Table / Desk Secretary 1950s Vintage Danish Modern Rosewood Entry Chest Table Mid CenturyCompletly Refinished Antique Victorian Steamer Trunk W/ Working Lock & Key !!!!!Antique Oak Railroad Ticket Cabinet Roll Top Door Late 1800's-1900's Prr YqzAntique Cast Iron Drafting Table Legs Base Industrial Machine Age SteampunkBeautiful Jielde Lamp 1950 4 Arms Vintage 100% Original French Industrial...Vintage Oak 3 Drawer File Cabinet - Globe Antique Henri Ii Lion Head Dining Chairs Set Of 4Antique 12 Piece 8 Seat Solid Pecan Wood Dining Room Set-priced To Sell!Victorian Wire Outdoor Garden Bench Mid Century Brutalist Long Dresser By United Paul Evans Pearsall Deco ModernAntique Solid Oak Faux Leather High Back Dining Side Chair Set (4) C1930Rare Antique Edme Goyard Paris Aine Horse Carriage Trunk Brass Hardware SignedAntique English Marble Top Dark Oak Cabinet End Table Nightstand 24737:broyhill Brasilia Danish Walnut Credenza Buffet1 Pair Mid Century Womb Wingback ArmchairsVintage Mid-century Modern Adrian Pearsall For Kraft Associates High Back ChairRare Set Nesting Tables Danish Modern 1960,s Jacobsen Kjaerholm Eames Knoll Era 1960s Danish Modern Teak Micro Mini Credenza Mid Century VintageAntique L&j.g. Stickley Arts And Crafts Table, No Reserve!!!!!Set Of 4 Charles Eames Vintage Dcm Herman Miller Chairs Mid-century Modern Nice! Vintage Theatre Stage Light On Tripod Retro Loft Industrial Atelier LampeWallace Nutting Oak Lift Top Chest 1670 Very RareMid Century Modern Asian Bar Cabinet/barBeautiful Thonet Bentwood, Wicker Bottom Chairs, AustrianAntique Belgian Oak Medicine/curio Cabinet W/inlaid Mahogany And Beveled MirrorVery Fine & Rare 16th Century Romayne Oak Panels - Set Of Four - Circa 1530Antique English Brass Tray Folding Coffee Tea Table ~asian Dragon ~ebonizedVintage Film Movie Light Antique Art Deco Silver Alessi Floor Lamp Eames Era 50s1950's Maurizio Tempestini For Salterini Patio Chair Mid-century Modern1950's Maurizio Tempestini For Salterini Patio Chair Mid-century Modern Chair #22 Vintage Heywood Wakefield Encore Nightstands Champagne M1528 PairL94 Antique French Style Empire Revival Marble Top Chest

Recent News: Furniture

Source: Google News

How to Shop for Vintage Furniture Like a Pro
Washingtonian.com (blog), June 19th

How to Shop for Vintage Furniture Like a Pro. The owner of Stylish Patina shares her secrets for curating an amazing vintage-modern home. By Michelle Thomas. The Rough Luxe Market kicks off this weekend. Photographs courtesy of Stylish Patina...Read more

Art & Antiques: Antique furniture clues
Marconews, June 19th

Joinery or the way that the elements of a chair, sofa or table are joined to each other is an important value indicator for antique furniture. An easy clue to assess whether or not your antique was machine made or hand cut is to look carefully at the...Read more

Homeowner reports theft of antique furniture
Ocala, June 17th

A man reported over the weekend that $10,000 in antique furniture was stolen from a home he owns sometime in the past two weeks. The man said he left for vacation on May 30 and returned Saturday to find the home at 14711 S.E. 155 St., which he...Read more

A few tips for finding antique furniture
Republican & Herald, June 16th

In today's antiques market, collectors and connoisseurs seriously consider the style and the material of antique furniture before investing in a piece. Spotting an antique piece of furniture is not difficult if you know where to look. Joinery - or the...Read more

Furniture Collection Inspired By The Wooly
PSFK, June 14th

The furniture collection will appear at the Design Miami/Basel event alongside other famous names such as Greta Magnusson Grossman, Joaquim Tenreiro, Christian Wassmann, David Wiseman and Jeff Zimmerman. haas-brothers-furniture-4. Haas Brothers'...Read more

Rose Mont Festival features free tours, furniture auction
The Tennessean, June 13th

Rose Mont Festival features free tours, furniture auction. Saturday event is fundraiser for historic home. Jun. 14, 2013 |. Comments · Tweet. Email; Print; Share. LinkedIn; Tumblr; StumbleUpon; Reddit; Del.icio.us; Digg. A; A. Historian and furniture...Read more

OMA'S FURNITURE COLLECTION FOR KNOLL
Dezeen, June 13th

Dezeen and MINI World Tour: in our fourth movie recorded at the MINI Paceman Garage in Milan, MINI head of design Anders Warming introduces the workshops that took place in the space and journalist Justin McGuirk explains why he sees OMA's Tools for ...Read more

The Best of the Best: 5 Essential Home Decorating Ideas for the Discriminating ...
La Jolla Light, June 8th

antique furniture in La Jolla Curtains can add drama, romance, sophistication or sleek modernism to the interior of your home. And when you choose high-quality fabrics, drapery can instantly update and transform your room. To get started on revamping...Read more