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kaatluvr

How best to sell estate furniture?

5 years ago

I have inherited several very nice antiques. One item is a Federal period sideboard, circa 1800. It is flame mahogany and has been in our family forever. The auction houses are telling me there isn’t a market for this type of furniture at this time.


Comments (4)

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    They are correct. You can try and sell it on FB Market Place or Craigs List but if you normally itemize deductions I would suggest that you donate it and take the deduction. You can give it a reasonable value for that as most places that I have donated have left the value blank. Just do not get carried away.

    If it was listed on the estate inventory there is normally a value unless the inventory just lists household goods and you can use that value.

  • 5 years ago

    It's very beautiful.....and with such a fine piece I think you could be able to find a buyer....depending of course on where you are.

  • 5 years ago

    Some antique shops may sell on consignment...

  • 5 years ago

    I would try to determine whether this is a relatively new reproduction or whether it is actually an antique. It is unlikely that it is a rare 18th Century original but once you make that determination, you don't have to worry about someone taking advantage of your ignorance. Even the super high end stuff has declined in value precipitously but those kinds of rare authentic pieces still have value versus even high quality reproductions of relatively recent vintage.


    However the reality is that there is currently no market for so-called "brown furniture" however attractive or well made it is. There is a glut on the market because there is so much available as baby boomers die or down size.


    I remodeled and got rid of a lot of furniture that I had "stuffed" into my home including pieces inherited from my grandmother and mother. I checked to see if there was any interest in purchasing or consigning of these items - they were 19th Century antiques and not reproductions. There was either no interest or a price that was so low that it made no sense to sell it.


    I was going to donate it all but at the last moment, my friend's partner said his brother could use it all since his brother's family was of limited means and therefore was glad to have good furniture for their house.