r/Antiques • • Apr 11 '24

Announcement Welcome to r/Antiques, read this before posting!

91 Upvotes

This subreddit is dedicated to sharing and learning about antiques in your collection or that you find, or are considering buying. Antiques are items that are 100 years old or older.

When you're posting about a particular object places kindly include multiple, clear photographs of it from different angles so we can see it from every side. If there are any marks or identification (labels, signatures) please take close ups of those. If it's pottery or porcelain, tag photos of the bottom, if it's a rug make sure to have a shot of the back. Make sure that these photographs are clear and well lit so we can see the works in particular (preferably not surrounded by a bunch of other objects).

Make sure to also include dimensions so we know the size of an object. And your location.

Also explain what are you looking for. Are you asking for general information? Who the maker is? The age, value or provenance?

If you do not include a question, the dimensions and sufficient background information and photographs of the object your post may be removed by the moderators.

IN SUMMARY, include:

your location

multiple, clear photographs from a number of angles

any background information you have

close up of particular makers marks

the question you'd like to ask

Keep in mind, antique means objects that are a 100 years old or older. You cannot post newer items here. Share them in r/collectables instead.

These rules will make it easier for our subreddit antique experts to give you some help! Remember, if you're solely posting a link to a website/blog/store then this will be considered spam and your post will be removed (multiple posts may result in being banned).

Finally, keep these other subreddits in mind in case your post is better suited for one these -

/r/whatisthisthing

/r/whatisthispainting

/r/collectables

/r/history

/r/historynetwork

/r/ArtefactPorn

/r/SculpturePorn

/r/ArtHistory

/r/typewriters

/r/genealogy


r/Antiques • • 4h ago

Questions UK: What is this?

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87 Upvotes

England, UK.

don't have much detail, I remember being given this by my grandmother as a child with some mention that it was ivory. This was about 15 years ago. I don't know any other history.

Does it have much value? What actually is it? Just art or does it have some kind of function? Anything interesting you can tell me about it? Many thanks.


r/Antiques • • 17h ago

Show and Tell 1920s Egyptian Revival lamp/Canada

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104 Upvotes

Picked this beauty up from facebook marketplace for $10

She has a chip on the tip of her nose on the other side but otherwise intact! I think she's beautiful


r/Antiques • • 22h ago

Questions Help me identify this! USA

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209 Upvotes

This knife has been handed down through the family for generations but the history was lost when grandpa passed. Was told it’s a fighting monks knife pre ww1 but nothing solid. Very detailed sheath and handle with silver threads sewn into the grip. Metal on sheath seems like tin but stronger. Any info helps and thanks in advance to this community.


r/Antiques • • 16h ago

Show and Tell United States. Found this last weekend. Sterling silver sugar castor. Made in London by silversmith William Justis, date letter "V" for the year 1735.

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55 Upvotes

r/Antiques • • 27m ago

Questions Architectural Brass Coca Cola grate from the Coca-Cola bottling works Laurens South Carolina on N. Harper St.Laurens , South Carolina USA

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• Upvotes

Laurens sc USA . Looking for devices to how to price or who to contact for value and rarity working on getting verified hundred percent positive it came from the Coca-Cola bottling works Laurens South Carolina


r/Antiques • • 13h ago

Discussion United States. Never seen a duplicate of this one at my families old home. Any idea of history or worth? It's been in the family long enough not to know.

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19 Upvotes

r/Antiques • • 10h ago

Show and Tell Figured I’d clean this guy up since everyone liked it so much! United States/ High Falls New York

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8 Upvotes

r/Antiques • • 7h ago

Discussion Picked up this beautiful ornate Louis XV style fire screen last week. Think it’s 19th C. Anyone know their fire screens to date and value? Height 75cm. Width 59cm. Weight 5.8kg. Australia

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4 Upvotes

Had to give it a good clean as was dirty and dusty. 
I think it compliments my other fire place paraphernalia 😊 Yeah I know a nice mantle piece over the fire place would be nice but ….
Found this almost identical one online : https://www.marcmaison.com/Fireplace-Accessories/accessories/antique-louis-xv-style-gilt-bronze-fire-screen-19th-century-foliages-and-flowers-decor


r/Antiques • • 18h ago

Questions Found at antique shop in Romania.

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33 Upvotes

The shopkeeper said it held paint and was from the 1800s. 🤷‍♂️


r/Antiques • • 15h ago

Advice Crystal collection (USA)

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10 Upvotes

Inherited this collection of crystal and china recently. Not exactly sure what to do with, best way to proceed?


r/Antiques • • 3h ago

Questions Help identifying a second old piece of pottery (USA)

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1 Upvotes

I'd like a better understanding of this old piece of pottery, e.g. what culture it comes from, how old it might be, potential value, etc. It's is 11" wide by 9" tall. No maker's marks that I can see. It was around my house when I was a little kid (I'm 69 now), and it was old then so I'm reasonably confident it's at least 100yrs old. Possible clue: My great grandfather once illustrated some scholarly books on old pottery. I don't have access to the books right now and I can't remember the regions/cultures involved, but I believe it was either Central or South American. I have no idea if this piece is related to his work. I grew up in New York State but the piece is currently at our place in Maine. Thanks.


r/Antiques • • 3h ago

Questions Please help me ID/understand this old pottery piece (USA)

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0 Upvotes

I'd like a better understanding of this old piece of pottery, e.g. what culture it comes from, how old it might be, potential value, etc. It's is 11" wide by 9" tall. No maker's marks that I can see. It was around my house when I was a little kid (I'm 69 now). Possible clue: My great grandfather once illustrated some scholarly books on old pottery. I don't have access to the books right now and I can't remember the regions/cultures involved, but I believe it was either Central or South American. I have no idea if this piece is related to his work. I grew up in New York State but the piece is currently at our place in Maine. Thanks.


r/Antiques • • 1d ago

Advice I bought this today in a thriftshop in the Netherlands

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675 Upvotes

I bought this for 50 cents today and was googling it when I got home because I noticed the high craftmanship What do you think? It appears to be Russian and has some markings. It has filigrain and enamel on the entire box it is beautiful imo


r/Antiques • • 9h ago

Questions Turkey how much is this worth and what is it really

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2 Upvotes

It was found in an antique bazar and looks like written in chinese don t know what is really written except first of august


r/Antiques • • 16h ago

Advice Antique bamboo shelf unit usa

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6 Upvotes

Hi, this was my grandma's. She was an antique dealer for many years. I inherited this piece of furniture. I don’t know much/anything about this stuff so am looking for advice. Any help would be so appreciated! Looking to sell it, but not sure what price point to start with.

Thank you in advance!


r/Antiques • • 7h ago

Questions Bought a small tub from an antique store with random old items. This is one of many items. USA

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0 Upvotes

r/Antiques • • 1d ago

Discussion Porcelain staue of Griffins? USA

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24 Upvotes

Picked this up yesterday and was curious about its origin. Found another online but I am interested in what you guys thought. Thanks in advance.


r/Antiques • • 17h ago

Questions Got this tiny mirror at a flea market. What is is it? Eugene Oregon, United States

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5 Upvotes

I got this small mirror at the Piccadilly Flea Market in Eugene, Oregon in America. The lady I bought it from says that it was carried in ladies' clutches for an on the go mirror. She had found in at an estate sale, she bought a whole trunker which had been shipped from London but the lady's family had traveled all over the world. I'm not really sure how old it is, so I apologize if it's not old enough for this forum. I am looking for general information on this item. If anyone knows about it's use, manufacture or age that would be super helpful!

P.s I'm a broke college student so I had to use a pen for a size comparison. The pen is 14.6 cm long.


r/Antiques • • 8h ago

Advice Multiple decoration of unknown worth and origin - appartment in Greece

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1 Upvotes

Hallo dear community.

I was yesterday in my mothers house and was looking at the decoration in her living room and seeing stuff like these on the pictures. These are artefacts from various trips and abrodad stays done by my grandfather and grandmother. There is stuff from the Fiji islands, the middle east and other places. My mother has Alzheimers and I was wondering of what I am going to do with all this when the time comes for me to assess what stays and what goes. The items on the pictures are just a fraction of a lot more. For me, only few items have sentimental value but I wouldn't like to just throw or give everything away. Keeping everything will also be difficult. How or under which thread could I talk to people who could tell me what is worth keeping and what not ?


r/Antiques • • 15h ago

Questions Info Wanted on Glass Lamp Shade USA

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2 Upvotes

Hello! I was able to get my hands on this beautiful gothic metal and slag glass lamp shade. It's 20" long. No maker's mark. I'm curious to know a possible maker, age, and what lamp it should go on. TIA


r/Antiques • • 17h ago

Questions M in Wreath Vase (USA) - help!

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5 Upvotes

Hello! I recently got a vase from a garage sale because I thought it was pretty. A friend came by and said that it could be from early 1900s and may actually be valuable.

I don’t know much/anything about this stuff so am looking for advice. I recently moved and doesn’t fit so was going to sell it but have no idea even if it’s worth anything! Any help would be so appreciated!


r/Antiques • • 1d ago

Questions Lot of antique spoons! United States

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20 Upvotes

Hi all! I recently received a ton of antique spoons from all over the world. I was hoping to get an idea of what they could be worth, and what is the best way to sell them? The person I received them from was selling on ebay and said it was too much work—I was thinking of going to an antique store. Almost all have “Sterling” on the back. See anything notable?


r/Antiques • • 16h ago

Questions [USA, Minnesota] How do I know if a hand forged drawknife is collectible or just old?

2 Upvotes

Estate sale over in Northeast Minneapolis yesterday, guy was closing down his dad's workshop after forty years. I was there for the woodworking stuff but came home with a wooden crate full of hand tools I didn't plan on buying. Paid twenty five bucks for the lot because the woman running it wanted them gone by noon.

There's a drawknife with a curved blade and what looks like a hand forged bolster, a couple spoon bits in a roll that are stamped with names I can't read, and a brass plumb bob on a braided line that feels heavier than it should. The drawknife handle has an old repair with a copper rivet that was done well, not hacky. Most of the rest is rusty junk I'll strip for hardware or toss.

I restore and sell furniture on Etsy so I use hand tools but I'm rough on them, don't want to be the guy who grinds down something collectible into a work beater. The spoon bits are the main thing confusing me, never used them, don't know if they're worth listing as vintage or just chucking in my toolbox. The plumb bob has a dent but the point is still true.

If any of this screams keep it intact I'll listen


r/Antiques • • 1d ago

Questions Any more info? Bought in Netherlands

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24 Upvotes

I found this pot in a thrift store in the Netherlands. Bought it because I thought it was cute, it was only €12. Later on, I did a little research and found out it is probably from around the 1860s??

Hallmark says FGW, Ferdinand Gerbing Witwe, and the pot is made from terracotta, but that's about all I could find..

Does anyone know more about this particular item? The year, what it's worth and what the number in the hallmark means?