Value of Antiques

The value of antiques is affected by many different factors. Like any other merchandise the antique china value is subject to the demand and supply situation. Antiques highly sought after but scarce can usually command a better price. 

In individual situations another factor is the value attributed to an antique by its owner, and the price a collector is willing to pay to obtain it for his/her collection. 
Therefore, the actual value of an antique may never be the same at any two points in time, or in two different sales locations.

Ceramics, pottery and porcelain
The following points are decisive factors applying to the value of antiques in general and/or antique china wares.

• Age
• Quality
• Rarity
• Condition
• Market demand
• Manufacturer or kiln*
  

*   Can be relevant with Chinese ceramics. Mainstream kilns have a higher value.

Other factors:
The type of location or business where antiques are traded also influences the antique china value. High-end or low-end antiques are usually only available in certain locations where their high or low prices are acceptable to their respective customers. Antiques valued in the medium range might be available in both.

Selling venues

• Auction houses
• Antique shops
• Antique fairs
• Online stores
• Online auctions
• Online ad services such as Craigslist
• Consignment with an antique store
• Private sale
• Via newspaper ads
• Estate sales

• Thrift stores
• Flea markets
• Garage sales, yard sales
• Online auctions like Ebay, etc.

• Auctions (on location, online*)
• Antique shops

* Many of the larger auction houses now allow online bidding in addition to inhouse          bidding.


Item Condition, Rarity and Age:
The value of antique china is also affected by the condition of the respective items of course, the same way as with other antiques. However, age and rarity may lead to exceptional acceptance of minor damage by collectors.
This is especially the case with Chinese porcelain. Minor damage of Ming porcelain, for example, is often more acceptable than if the same condition were found in late Qing dynasty or republican porcelain.
 
While minor damage also decreases the value of antique Ming items somewhat, in comparison to similar Ming pieces in perfect state, slight damage appears to be more acceptable than with much 'younger' Qing dynasty and later porcelains.
Due to the scarcity of good Ming items the overall antique china value of slightly damaged Ming items is often perceived as higher than that of equivalent bur more recent porcelain items in perfect state.



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