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- 13 Vintage Furniture Items You Might Own That Are Worth a Small Fortune (financebuzz.com)
Turn Your Old Furniture into Cash: A Guide to Vintage Treasures
Looking to downsize, redecorate, or just make some extra cash? Don’t overlook the potential goldmine sitting in your attic or basement.
Before you donate that “old” furniture, take a closer look – you might be surprised by its value. While not every piece is a hidden gem, knowing what to look for can turn vintage furniture into serious cash.
Here are some furniture styles that collectors and restoration experts seek out:
Art Deco Side Chairs (Price: $1,400 – $20,000): Characterized by bold shapes and sleek lines, Art Deco furniture from the 1920s and 30s is highly desirable. Matching sets, particularly those by Italian and Dutch designers, can be worth thousands.
Mid-Century Modern Credenza (Price: $2,450 – $3,250): These long, low cabinets with sliding doors experienced a resurgence in popularity. While not rare, credenzas in good condition, especially those by European designers, regularly sell for over $1,000.
Hans Wegner Mid-Century Dining Table (Price: Up to $20,000): Danish designer Hans Wegner’s elegant and simple designs are highly sought after by collectors. While most mid-century dining tables fetch a few thousand dollars, a Wegner original can command a much higher price.
Vintage Rattan (Price: Varies): Woven from bamboo, wicker, palm, or other natural materials, rattan furniture, especially mid-century pieces, can be quite valuable. However, due to its delicate nature, finding well-preserved rattan is key to maximizing its value.
Lucite Folding Chairs (Price: $750 – $1,000 each): These aren’t your average folding chairs. Made famous by Italian designers, these transparent plastic chairs can be worth several hundred dollars each if found in good condition.
Drop-Leaf Table (Price: $1,000 – $3,000): Combining form and function, mid-century drop-leaf tables are prized for their versatility. While the wood veneer can be prone to chipping and hinges can be a weak point, well-maintained tables can bring in a good return.
Eames Fiberglass Armchairs (Price: $2,400 for a set): Often found in college lounges and stadiums, a set of these iconic armchairs can be worth over $2,000.
Four-Poster Bed (Price: $1,000 – $1,750): A classic design spanning centuries, vintage four-poster beds remain popular and valuable. Their relative durability makes finding them in good condition easier compared to other furniture types.
Mission Armchair (Price: $1,000 – $4,000): Originating from the Arts and Crafts movement, these sturdy armchairs by designers like Gustav Stickley have retained their value over time.
Knoll “Tulip” Table (Price: $2,750 – $5,000): Designed by Eero Saarinen, the iconic “Tulip” table is a collector’s dream. Authentic pieces, identifiable by the architect’s signature and Knoll logo, can be extremely valuable.
Sunburst Mirror (Price: $600 – $1,800): While modern reproductions abound, original gilded sunburst mirrors, particularly those from Europe, command a premium price.
Wooden Card Catalog Bureau (Price: $1,400 – $3,000): A rare find, these charming pieces from libraries are highly desirable, with value increasing based on the number of drawers.
Nesting Tables (Price: $1,300 – $2,000): Popularized in the Bauhaus era, complete sets of these space-saving tables by notable designers can be quite valuable.
So, before discarding any “old” furniture, do your research. You might be surprised at what treasures – and potential profits – are hiding in plain sight.
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- 13 Vintage Furniture Items You Might Own That Are Worth a Small Fortune (financebuzz.com)