FindRareCoins.com · Price Guide

Antique Price Guide

This guide covers collectible antiques across furniture, scientific instruments, clocks, glassware, pottery, silverware, and decorative arts from the 17th century through the early 20th century. Values are based on realized prices from Sotheby's, Christie's, Skinner, and Morphy Auctions, as well as verified dealer transactions and eBay completed sales.

Antique values are driven by maker, provenance, condition, and rarity. A piece with documented history — particularly one tied to a notable estate or historical figure — commands significant premiums over an identical unsigned example. Furthermore, original finish and untouched patina are increasingly valued over restored pieces. In addition, regional demand plays a major role — American folk art commands premium prices domestically that may not translate to European auction markets.

Condition standards for antiques differ from other collectibles. However, unlike coins or stamps, some wear and patina is expected and desirable in antiques. Consequently, over-restoration, repainting, or replacing original hardware dramatically reduces value. As a result, the golden rule of antique collecting is to preserve originality above all else — a piece in honest worn condition is always preferable to one that has been inappropriately restored.

How to use: Browse by category to find comparable pieces. Values listed reflect auction realized prices for authenticated examples in good original condition. Pieces with provenance, maker's marks, or original documentation trade above listed values. When in doubt about authenticity, consult a certified appraiser before buying or selling.

FindRareCoins.com · 2026 Edition

Antiques Price Guide 2026

Comprehensive antiques price guide for 2026. Values for American period furniture, Rookwood art pottery, Tiffany sterling silver, American Brilliant cut glass, and Victorian antiques from damaged to museum quality condition.

FairGoodV. GoodExcellentNear MintMuseum Quality

★ Semi-key — scarce but obtainable ★★ Key issue — low print run or rare ★★★ Major rarity — trophy piece

American Antique Furniture (1680–1900)

American period furniture from the 17th–19th century is valued based on form, regional origin, condition of original surface (patina), and provenance. Newport and Philadelphia Chippendale represent the pinnacle; any piece with documented provenance commands substantial premiums.

Item	Damaged	Poor	Fair	Good	Very Good	Excellent	Near Mint	Museum Quality
★★★ Newport Chippendale Blockfront Secretary Desk (1760–80)	$20,000	$50,000	$100,000	$200,000	$400,000	$700,000	$1,200,000	$3,000,000
★★★ Philadelphia Chippendale Highboy (1760–75)	$15,000	$35,000	$70,000	$140,000	$280,000	$500,000	$850,000	$2,000,000
★★ Boston Queen Anne Tea Table (1730–50)	$3,000	$7,500	$15,000	$30,000	$60,000	$110,000	$190,000	$450,000
★★ Connecticut River Valley Queen Anne Highboy (1740–60)	$2,500	$6,000	$12,000	$25,000	$50,000	$90,000	$155,000	$360,000
★ Federal Pembroke Table (New England, 1790–1810)	$400	$1,000	$2,000	$4,000	$8,000	$14,500	$25,000	$58,000
★ Pilgrim Century Chest of Drawers (1660–1700)	$1,500	$3,500	$7,000	$14,000	$28,000	$50,000	$85,000	$200,000
Victorian Eastlake Parlor Chair (orig. upholstery)	$50	$120	$240	$480	$950	$1,700	$2,900	$6,700
Empire Mahogany Sideboard (1830–1850, orig. finish)	$300	$750	$1,500	$3,000	$6,000	$11,000	$19,000	$44,000
Victorian Walnut Whatnot Shelf (1870–1890)	$80	$200	$400	$800	$1,600	$2,900	$5,000	$11,500
Common Victorian side chair (any hardwood)	$20	$50	$100	$200	$400	$720	$1,240	$2,860

Original surface (patina) is paramount. Refinished American period furniture loses 50–80% of its value. A genuine untouched 18th-century surface — even with honest wear — is always preferred over a refinished example in "perfect" condition. Provenance documentation from a significant collection adds 20–100%.

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American & European Pottery (1800–1960)

Art pottery from American studios (Rookwood, Grueby, Roseville, Weller, Teco) and European makers (Majolica, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton) represents the most actively collected ceramic category. Signed artist pieces and unusual glaze effects command the highest premiums.

Item	Damaged	Poor	Fair	Good	Very Good	Excellent	Near Mint	Museum Quality
★★★ Rookwood "Black Iris" Vase by Shirayamadani (1899)	$8,000	$18,000	$35,000	$65,000	$120,000	$200,000	$340,000	—
★★ Grueby Pottery Vase (green mat glaze, signed)	$1,500	$3,500	$7,000	$13,000	$24,000	$42,000	$70,000	—
★★ Rookwood Standard Glaze Portrait Vase (signed artist)	$800	$1,800	$3,600	$6,600	$12,200	$21,000	$35,700	—
★ Weller Lasa Iridescent Vase (10"+)	$300	$700	$1,400	$2,600	$4,800	$8,300	$14,000	—
★ Roseville Sunflower Jardinière & Pedestal	$400	$900	$1,800	$3,300	$6,100	$10,600	$18,000	—
Roseville Pine Cone (common form, blue)	$80	$180	$360	$660	$1,220	$2,100	$3,570	—
Teco Art Pottery (mat green, signed)	$200	$460	$920	$1,680	$3,120	$5,400	$9,180	—
★ Majolica Oyster Plate (French, 6 wells, 1880s)	$150	$350	$700	$1,280	$2,380	$4,100	$7,000	—
Royal Doulton Character Jug (large, signed)	$50	$115	$230	$420	$780	$1,350	$2,300	$5,290
Common Rookwood (mat glaze, no artist, small)	$60	$140	$280	$510	$950	$1,640	$2,800	—

Condition is everything in pottery. Any crack, chip, or restoration — even professional invisible repairs — can reduce value by 50–90%. Examine under UV light and with a bright light source through the walls of the piece. Signed artist pieces of Rookwood are worth 3–10x unsigned factory examples.

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Sterling Silver & American Brilliant Cut Glass (1880–1915)

American sterling silver from the great New York and Boston silversmiths (Tiffany & Co., Gorham, Whiting) and American Brilliant Period cut glass (1876–1916) represent high Victorian luxury. Tiffany sterling is consistently the most valuable American silver at auction.

Item	Damaged	Poor	Fair	Good	Very Good	Excellent	Near Mint	Museum Quality
★★★ Tiffany & Co. Sterling Punch Bowl (Japonesque, 1880s)	$8,000	$18,000	$36,000	$66,000	$122,000	$210,000	$360,000	—
★★ Gorham Martelé Sterling Vase (96-standard, signed)	$3,000	$7,000	$14,000	$26,000	$48,000	$83,000	$140,000	—
★★ Tiffany & Co. Sterling Tea Service (5-piece, 1870–1900)	$4,000	$9,000	$18,000	$33,000	$61,000	$105,000	$178,000	—
★ Whiting Lily Pattern Sterling Flatware (12 place settings)	$800	$1,800	$3,600	$6,600	$12,200	$21,000	$35,700	—
Gorham Sterling Compote (repousse, 1890s)	$150	$350	$700	$1,280	$2,380	$4,100	$7,000	—
Common American sterling serving piece (avg)	$40	$90	$180	$330	$610	$1,060	$1,800	—
★★ Hawkes "Russian" ABP Cut Glass Punch Bowl	$1,500	$3,500	$7,000	$12,800	$23,800	$41,000	$70,000	—
★ Libbey ABP Cut Glass 14" Vase (signed)	$400	$900	$1,800	$3,300	$6,100	$10,500	$17,900	—
ABP Cut Glass celery dish (unsigned, common)	$30	$70	$140	$256	$476	$820	$1,400	—
Sterling silver flatware (per piece, common pattern)	$8	$18	$36	$66	$122	$210	$360	—

Tiffany & Co. sterling consistently outperforms other American silver at auction. The Tiffany marks (lion, "T&Co.", "Sterling") must be clearly visible and unaltered. Monograms reduce value slightly for serving pieces but are acceptable for flatware.

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Did You Know?

10 Antique Collecting Facts

A Louis XV bureau plat — a flat-topped writing desk — sold at Christie's Paris for €2,100,000 in 2022. French royal furniture consistently sets records at auction, with provenance from Versailles adding dramatic premiums.
The legal definition of an antique in the U.S. Customs code requires an item to be at least 100 years old — which means items made before 1925 now qualify for duty-free import status as certified antiques.
A Chippendale mahogany block-front desk made in Newport, Rhode Island circa 1760–1780 sold at Christie's for $12,100,000 — the record for American furniture — largely because of its exceptional craftsmanship and documented American provenance.
Original Tiffany Studios leaded glass lamps from the 1890s–1920s remain among the most valuable American antiques. A rare Peony floor lamp sold at Christie's for $3,372,500 — and prices have only increased as authentic examples become harder to find.
The patina on antique furniture — the natural surface finish developed over decades of use, waxing, and oxidation — is nearly impossible to fake convincingly and is the single most reliable indicator of age and authenticity.
A single 18th-century Chinese export porcelain punch bowl with American eagle decoration sold at Sotheby's for $750,000 — American patriotic decoration on Chinese export ware represents one of the most specialized and valuable niches in antiques.
The Antiques Roadshow — both the BBC original and the PBS American version — has been running for decades and has introduced millions to the concept that ordinary household objects can be worth extraordinary sums.
An 18th-century longcase clock (grandfather clock) by a known maker like Thomas Tompion or George Graham can sell for over $500,000 at auction — while an unsigned example of similar quality might bring only $5,000.
The market for American folk art — including weather vanes, painted furniture, and trade signs — has exploded in recent decades. A rare carved and painted eagle weathervane sold at Christie's for $5,840,000 in 2006.
Under the 1976 Copyright Act, works created before 1928 are in the public domain in the U.S. — but the physical antique object itself retains its value regardless, since owning the object is separate from any intellectual property in its design.