How to Identify High-Value Vintage
Tips for spotting real worth in vintage finds
Story by Lance Hanlin
Almost every home hides a mystery. Maybe it’s a painting above the mantel, a mirror that’s been passed down for generations or a stack of dishes gathering dust in the cabinet. Are they valuable or just sentimental? To find out what separates true treasures from pretty trinkets, we asked Amanda Everard of Everard Auctions in Savannah, whose sharp eye has uncovered more than a few surprises.
Reflections of history Amanda Everard, owner of Everard Auctions, admires this Regency giltwood mirror from the early 1800s. Period mirrors, especially convex or bull’s-eye styles, are among her favorite finds. This one is expected to bring between $1,500 and $2,000 at the upcoming Fall Southern Estates and Collections auction.
Why vintage matters
According to Amanda, interest in vintage and antique items has been on the rise, especially among younger generations. “They’re starting to value good craftsmanship over mass production,” she explained. “It follows the green trend of reusing versus buying new.” In other words, choosing vintage isn’t just about decorating a home; it’s about making conscious choices that connect history, sustainability and style.
What makes something valuable?
When she’s evaluating an object, Amanda looks for three things: “The artist name or maker, provenance or history of the object and condition,” she said. Even the tiniest mark can make a difference. “For a work of art, it’s important that it’s signed by the artist. With cast sculpture, a foundry mark can matter. With American furniture, the original finish is hugely important, while with French or English furniture, that’s not the case.”
And provenance isn’t just a fancy word. “It can be significant if something was owned by a famous or historical figure such as JFK or Princess Diana,” she explained. Old receipts and exhibition history can add serious value, so Amanda suggests keeping paperwork with your items or tucked away in a family file.
Worth Its weight Quality jewelry tells its story through solid craftsmanship and the weight of gold and gems that never go out of style. While fast-fashion trinkets come and go, a well-made ring or necklace keeps its sparkle and its value long after the trends fade.
What holds value
Some categories consistently stand out. “Fine art and jewelry tend to hold their value, particularly if you’re buying blue-chip artists and designers,” Amanda said. Jewelry also has the safety net of raw material value, even though trends in design can shift over time.
Furniture, china and cut glass, on the other hand, aren’t as reliable. Tastes change, and the market is full of once-coveted items that don’t carry the same appeal today. “People tend to think all framed artwork has value,” Amanda added. “Unless prints are hand signed by a well-known artist, they usually bring very little.”
Mistakes and surprises
Amanda has seen plenty of cautionary tales. “I can’t tell you how many times someone has purchased a print by a well-known artist that’s signed in the printing plate, not by hand, and paid significant amounts for it,” she said. “They bring it to me, and I have to break the news that it only has decorative value.”
But she’s also seen treasures nearly slip away. One of her most memorable discoveries came from an overlooked painting. “I found a small landscape at a client’s house after an estate sale. It looked well painted, so I brought it back for auction. Under the frame I found a partial signature. After some research, I determined it was by Sanford Robinson Gifford (1823-1880), a leading member of the Hudson River School. It sold for $125,000, though it could’ve been bought at the sale for $125.” That single painting helped the client pay for his grandson’s college education.
Hidden treasure Amanda discovered this 10×18 oil-on-canvas landscape in a client’s home after an estate sale. Further research confirmed it to be “The Camp on Mansfield Mountain, Vermont” by Sanford Robinson Gifford (1823-1880), and it later brought $125,000 at auction.
The fun of the hunt
Everyday items can sometimes surprise you. “Certain Pyrex bowls, vintage bottles, old records and first-edition books fall into the collectibles category and can have surprising value,” Amanda shared. Condition is key. A chipped piece of porcelain or cracked glass usually isn’t worth restoring unless it’s sentimental.
Amanda herself has a soft spot for furniture. “I love the patina of old wood, the attention to detail, the solid construction, the proportions, the uniqueness of the forms,” she said. Period giltwood mirrors, especially convex or bull’s-eye styles, are another personal favorite.
Practical advice
If you’ve got attic finds or inherited heirlooms, Amanda suggests starting with a simple Google image search to see if similar items appear online. From there, reputable auction houses or professional associations like the American Society of Appraisers can help. For those who want to learn more, she recommends checking past sales on LiveAuctioneers.com, exploring RubyLane.com for vintage pieces or diving into specialized sites like 925-1000.com for silver.
Above all, she encourages curiosity. “Talk to a knowledgeable specialist and ask their advice on how to preserve the item,” she said. “Even if you don’t plan to sell it, you’ll be giving it the respect it deserves.”
Lasting style Vintage finds are making a comeback. Younger generations are embracing pieces like this Southern walnut chest of drawers from 1820, drawn to the craftsmanship, character and lasting quality that newer styles simply can’t match.
Patterns of the past Delicate patterns and gilded details remind us why fine china once held such prestige. While entire sets may not command the prices they once did, exceptional craftsmanship and condition can still set certain pieces apart for collectors.
Quick tips for spotting value
- Look for signatures and marks. A hand-signed print or a foundry mark on a sculpture adds credibility.
- Check the condition. Chips, cracks and repairs can drastically reduce value, unless the item is extremely rare.
- Consider the history. Provenance matters. Keep old receipts, exhibition records or family notes with the item.
- Do a quick search. Use Google image search or auction platforms like LiveAuctioneers.com to compare similar items.
- Trust your eye. If the craftsmanship feels solid and the design unique, it’s worth a closer look.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming all framed art has value. Prints are multiples, and unless they’re by a well-known artist and hand-signed, they often have little resale value.
- Overestimating china and cut glass. Once prized by previous generations, these categories are so abundant now that they rarely bring much at auction.
- Ignoring the details. A signature printed in the plate is not the same as a hand signature. That difference can mean thousands of dollars.
- Restoring without research. Repairing porcelain, glass or furniture can sometimes cost more than the item’s market value.
- Confusing sentimental with financial worth. Family heirlooms may hold deep personal value, but not everything translates to dollars.
Rising and falling
On the rise
- Fine art: Works by blue-chip artists and hand-signed prints continue to command strong prices.
- Jewelry: Quality pieces hold value in both craftsmanship and raw materials.
- Collectibles: Pyrex bowls, vintage bottles, vinyl records and first-edition books often bring surprisingly high bids at auction.
- Period mirrors: Convex and giltwood mirrors have growing appeal for both collectors and decorators.
Losing ground
- China sets: Once a wedding staple, they’re now abundant and rarely bring much.
- Cut glass: Out of favor in today’s more casual lifestyles, with supply far outweighing demand.
- Unsigned prints: Without a hand signature, many framed works carry only decorative value.
- Damaged porcelain or glass: Repairs often cost more than the market value.
Ticking treasures Antique clocks remind us that value isn’t just about keeping time. With their intricate mechanisms and hand-crafted details, these pieces reflect a level of artistry and engineering that continues to fascinate collectors and preserve history.
Furniture that may be valuable
Not all old furniture is created equal. These categories tend to stand out to appraisers and collectors, combining craftsmanship, history and enduring appeal.
- Early American pieces: Solid wood furniture from the 18th and early 19th centuries, especially with the original finish, is highly prized.
- Handmade Southern furniture: Regional pieces crafted by local artisans can be valuable, particularly if they have distinctive Lowcountry details.
- Walnut, mahogany and cherry pieces: Strong, durable woods that age beautifully and often signal higher craftsmanship.
- Sideboards and buffets: Large storage pieces with original hardware and patina can be both collectible and functional.
- Desks and writing tables: Especially roll-tops or ones with secret compartments; collectors love originality and fine joinery.
- Chairs with provenance: From Windsor and Chippendale to mid-century modern designs by known makers, signed or well-documented chairs can hold surprising value.
- Trunks and blanket chests: If constructed well and with original hardware, these utilitarian pieces can fetch more than people expect.
Fall Southern Estates and Collections auction
Discover vintage treasures, fine jewelry and couture at the upcoming Fall Southern Estates and Collections auction, hosted by Everard Auctions & Appraisals. This year’s event showcases fine and decorative art gathered from notable Southern estates and collections Oct. 9-28. The public is invited to a preview reception from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Everard Auctions gallery in Savannah, preceded by a special highlights walk through with Amanda Everard at 4:30 p.m. Additional preview hours will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 22-25. Learn more at everard.com.
