Antiques Value Checker

Upload a photo of your antique and our AI will analyze it instantly, searching recent auction results, dealer listings, and completed sales data to give you an accurate market value based on the item's age, maker, condition, style, and current demand.

The practical answer to how to find out how much antiques are worth is a three-step process: identify the item (maker, period, origin) using marks and construction details, find what comparable items actually sold for at auction houses and in eBay completed listings, and adjust for your item's condition and originality. Our scanner automates the first two steps from a photo. For items the estimate suggests are worth over $1,000, follow up with a certified appraiser.

The most reliable antique price guide online is real sold data: auction archives from Christie's, Sotheby's, and Heritage, plus eBay completed listings. Printed guides and static price lists go stale quickly because antique values shift with collector tastes. Our scanner queries current sold results each time, so the estimate reflects today's market rather than a guidebook printed years ago.

Traditionally, an item must be at least 100 years old to be considered a true antique. Items between 20-99 years old are generally classified as "vintage." However, in common usage, both terms are used for older collectible items. Our scanner works with items of any age and provides accurate valuations regardless of classification.

Look for maker's marks, stamps, labels, or signatures on the bottom, back, or inside of the piece. Pottery and porcelain often have painted or stamped marks on the base. Furniture may have labels inside drawers or on the back. Silver items have hallmarks. Our AI can recognize many common maker's marks from photos.

Yes, but differently than modern collectibles. Some wear and patina is expected and can actually add authenticity and character. However, major damage like cracks, chips, missing parts, or amateur repairs significantly reduces value. Professional restoration by a qualified conservator can sometimes increase value if done properly.

Usually the opposite. Stripping and refinishing furniture, polishing away patina, and repainting metalware typically cut value substantially because collectors pay for original surfaces. The exceptions are stabilizing structural problems and careful professional conservation, which preserve rather than replace original material. When in doubt, do nothing and ask a specialist before any work.

High-quality antiques from recognized makers and periods have historically held their value well. The best investments are rare, high-quality pieces in good condition from desirable periods. However, the market for generic "brown furniture" has declined as younger buyers prefer modern aesthetics.

The most consistently valuable categories include fine art, sterling silver, high-end furniture by known makers (Chippendale, Stickley, Tiffany), early American decorative arts, Chinese and Japanese antiquities, fine porcelain (Meissen, Sevres, Royal Copenhagen), and early glassware (Tiffany, Lalique, Steuben).

For items potentially worth over $1,000, a professional appraisal from an ASA or AAA-certified appraiser is recommended, especially for insurance or estate purposes. Our scanner provides a quick market value estimate that can help you decide if a professional appraisal is warranted.

Our scanner pulls data from actual completed sales at major auction houses (Christie's, Sotheby's, Heritage), eBay sold listings, and dealer marketplaces like 1stDibs and Ruby Lane. We provide realistic market values based on what similar items actually sold for, not asking prices.

Options include auction houses (best for high-value items), antique dealers and shops, online marketplaces like eBay, 1stDibs, and Chairish, estate sale companies, and antique shows. The best venue depends on the item's value, category, and how quickly you need to sell.

Look for appropriate signs of age: wear patterns consistent with use, construction methods matching the period (hand-cut dovetails, hand-forged hardware), correct materials for the era, and genuine patina. Machine-made joints, modern screws, and artificial aging are signs of reproduction. Our AI can help flag potential authenticity concerns.

It depends heavily on maker and style. Generic mass-produced Victorian and early 20th-century furniture often brings only $50-300 per piece because supply exceeds demand. However, attributed pieces from makers like Stickley, signed mid-century designs, and early hand-made furniture with original surfaces can be worth thousands. Always check for labels, stamps, and construction clues before donating or discounting anything.