Furniture values are brutal: that Victorian table might be worth $200, or if it's by the right maker, $20,000. The John Townsend chest that sold for $12.1 million shows how crazy high the top can go. The difference? Four things: who made it, when, how original it is, and condition. Original finish beats restored every single time - sometimes by 10x.
American colonial and Federal period stuff (1690-1820) is where the serious money is, especially Philadelphia, Newport, and Boston makers. English Georgian furniture is beautiful and often half the price of comparable American pieces - better value for most people. Mission furniture had its moment and is still strong. Mid-century modern? Still hot with certain collectors.
The key is figuring out what you actually have. Is it a genuine antique or a 1960s reproduction? Original hardware or replacements? These details make or break the value. Most people have no idea, which is why they sell $10,000 pieces for $500 at garage sales.
Types of Antique Furniture We Value
Upload a photo of any of the following — our AI identifies type, period, and condition from images.
Price Ranges by Style & Period
Verified hammer prices from Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonhams & Heritage Auctions. Maker attribution and provenance can push individual pieces well above these ranges.
| Style | Period | Typical Range | Key Value Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonial / Queen Anne | 1700-1750 | $1,500 - $50,000+ | Original pad feet and carved splat-back chairs command the most |
| American Chippendale | 1750-1790 | $2,000 - $250,000+ | Philadelphia and Newport examples reach the highest prices |
| Federal / Hepplewhite / Sheraton | 1790-1820 | $1,000 - $80,000+ | Satinwood inlay and original brass hardware add significant value |
| Empire / Regency | 1800-1840 | $500 - $20,000 | Ormolu mounts and figured mahogany veneers increase desirability |
| Victorian | 1837-1901 | $200 - $8,000 | Walnut and rosewood in unrestored condition preferred by collectors |
| Arts & Crafts / Mission | 1895-1920 | $300 - $50,000+ | Gustav Stickley with original finish and paper label commands strong premiums |
| Art Deco | 1920-1940 | $500 - $150,000+ | Signed pieces by Ruhlmann or Leleu are trophy lots at major auction houses |
| Mid-Century Modern | 1945-1970 | $200 - $80,000+ | Eames, Knoll, and Wegner in original upholstery and finish command the most |
Condition, provenance, and documented maker attribution significantly affect realized prices.
What Affects Antique Furniture Value?
These six factors account for the majority of price variation at auction. Understanding them before you sell — or buy — can make a substantial difference.
Refinished furniture typically loses 50-80% of its value. An untouched original surface -- even if worn and patinated -- is far more desirable to serious collectors and institutions than a perfectly stripped-and-repolished piece. Never refinish before getting a valuation.
Period brasses -- bail pulls, escutcheons, hinges with cotter-pin construction -- intact and in place confirm authenticity and add measurable value. Replaced hardware is one of the most common and significant deductions in antique furniture appraisal.
A piece attributed to John Townsend, Thomas Affleck, or another documented cabinetmaker can be worth 10-100x a similar anonymous piece. Paper labels, brand marks, secondary wood choices, and construction details are all evidence used to establish attribution.
A recorded ownership history -- collection invoices, estate inventories, exhibition catalogues, or auction records -- adds value, particularly for American and English 18th-century furniture. Pieces from major named collections carry a consistent premium at auction.
Hand-cut dovetails (irregular in spacing and size), hand-forged nails with irregular heads, and period-appropriate secondary woods confirm authenticity. American pieces typically use white cedar, tulip poplar, or white pine as secondary wood depending on region.
Case pieces with all original components command significant premiums: original glass in bookcase doors, all drawers present with original bottoms and runners, interior fittings intact. Missing elements are individually deducted. Structural repairs are preferable to replacements.
How to Get Your Antique Furniture Valued
Take well-lit photos of front, back, sides, and any maker marks or signatures. Include close-ups of the base, hardware, and any labels. The more detail, the more accurate the valuation.
Upload to our Quick Valuation Tool for an instant price range based on comparable sold items from Sotheby's, Christie's, and 40+ other auction houses.
Verify your result by browsing Antique Furniture auction records filtered by date range, price, and auction house.
Generate a certified appraisal report for insurance, estate planning, or resale — accepted by most insurers and estate attorneys as supporting documentation.
Upload a photo of your antique furniture and get an instant price range in seconds, backed by 5M+ real auction results.
Notable Makers & Their Values
Attribution to a documented maker can multiply value tenfold or more. These are the most sought-after names at major auction houses and institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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