- Don’t let the thrill of the hunt prevent you from inspecting antiques.
- Check for damage, stains, and good functionality.
- Do some research ahead of time, put a flashlight on it, and second-guess potential “project pieces.”
When you spot an antique you love, your heart skips a beat and you want to take it home as soon as possible—right? It’s a familiar scene at any flea market, thrift shop, or antique store, but then you might get home and realize that the piece wasn’t as great as you thought.
Maybe it’s broken or worn in all the wrong places. Or your heart sinks as you realize you’ve purchased a “project piece,” something that requires restoration, time, and attention.
That’s why it’s key to inspect every antique or vintage piece before buying it. “A visual and tactile inspection is such an important step in this,” says Brian Bittner, owner of Bittner Antiques. “You want to confirm the condition, past restoration, and authenticity.”
Remember that purchasing antiques rarely comes with a return policy, which can definitely result in buyer’s remorse, says Angie Barton, owner of Rue Des Muses Vintage Art.
Whether they’re purchasing for their businesses or for their personal collections, these are the steps pro antique dealers always take before purchasing a vintage item.
1. Structural Soundness
When you’re looking over a potential purchase, ask yourself: “Is the piece structurally intact?”
“When shopping in flea markets and thrift stores, items are sometimes stacked, leaning, or partially obscured,” says Barton. “Pull the item out into the open and inspect it 360 degrees (and inside). Especially with furniture, check that it stands on its own, can hold the intended weight, and that all legs, joints, and drawers are intact and in appropriate condition.”
2. Damage
Antique or not, pieces should never display things like “cracks, splits, or repairs,” things that, at times, can be surprisingly easy to miss, according to Marjorie Wyler, co-owner of Wyler Antiques.
3. Functioning Well
Whether it’s a vintage kitchen appliance or antique music box, you’ll need to be sure that the item functions properly and effectively.
“If shopping for something that you want to use as it was originally intended, such as antique clocks or marquetry boxes, are all pieces intact?” says Barton. “Check hinges, locks, pulls, screws, keys, etc. to make sure nothing is missing. If something is not working or missing, does it need to be replaced, or can it function without it?”
4. Original Pieces
This is where research comes into play. If you’re after a particular item, get familiar with all of the pieces it should include so that it’s in its most authentic state. For instance, decanters should always have the original stopper, says Wyler.
5. Dirt and Stains
“If an item looks dirty or discolored, try to determine if it’s dust, surface grime, or tarnish that can be easily cleaned, or if it’s a stain or permanent issue that may be difficult, costly, or impossible to remove,” says Barton.
6. Maker’s Marks
“Are there any hallmarks, signatures, or signs of provenance?” says Barton. “These don’t always make a vintage or antique item more valuable in the eyes of the market, but they often provide clues to the narrative of where, when, and by whom it was created. Crafting the ‘story’ around a piece can sometimes make an unassuming item a true conversation piece.”
7. Restoration Clues
“A thorough inspection can reveal evidence of later replacements or poor restoration,” says Barton. “Mismatched knobs or pulls on furniture, gold paint touch-ups on gilt frames, and ‘glued back on’ decorative elements are common, but not always deal-breakers.”
8. The “Right” Amount of Wear
“Sometimes, wear is desired,” says Bittner. “I look for age-appropriate signs of wear—you think about the life of an object or piece of furniture and consider where it should be worn the most and then compare that with the item you are looking at.” That’s how you achieve just the perfect amount of patina.
How to Inspect an Antique Piece
✔️ Do your homework. It’s important to do “thorough research prior to purchasing an article,” says Wyler. Thank goodness for Google Lens! And, of course, reputable websites that share pertinent information on an item you’re questing after.
✔️ Check it top to bottom. “I always look at construction,” says Bittner. “I like to pick things up, flip them over, tap on them with a knuckle or a fingernail, and even smell them. You are using all of your senses to provide insight into the item you're looking at.”
✔️ Bring it over to the light. “Light is your friend when shopping for vintage or antique pieces,” says Barton. “Especially in a dimly-lit warehouse or secondhand store, use the light on your phone, or carry a little flashlight, to carefully examine before purchasing.”
✔️ Ask questions. “Ask questions,” reminds Bittner. “Most antique dealers I know care deeply about the future of the business and the items. They are always happy to share knowledge and provide lessons.”
✔️ Really think through “project pieces.” “Don’t assume something is easily and inexpensively repaired or replaced to restore it to an acceptable condition for you,” cautions Barton. “Do you love it enough in the exact condition you found it to purchase it? Unless you are an experienced vintage/antique shopper with resources at your disposal, let that be your litmus test.”
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
