What's old is truly new again—many of the secondhand items that are currently trending and may seem fresh to some are actually classics, according to vintage and antique experts. Below, learn more about six different types of secondhand items that you're probably seeing everywhere at the moment—pros are sharing what to look for when sourcing these and why they're so special.
1. Natural Wood Furnishings
Kyle J. Caldwell
Move over, white lacquered furniture—natural wood pieces have resurged in popularity over the past several years. "From pine furniture to dark wood boxes or shelves, everybody wants unpainted wood with beautiful grains," says Caroline Christman, the founder of Stag and Story. "I’ve seen pine furniture dealers sell out the day they restock their inventory."
In fact, collectors have revered wood furnishings for centuries. "Natural wood grain was so important in the 1800’s that many wood items were constructed of a common wood and had a second, more beautiful, rare wood veneer applied over the top," Christman explains.
Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash
Christman advises those shopping for their own wooden furniture to perform a thorough, hands-on inspection of the items they're considering. "One of the first things I check is whether the item has a wood veneer, which is a very thin layer of wood that can be seen when looking at the edge of the lid of a box or the inside lip of a drawer," she says. "I also check if any inlay details are genuine, as opposed to painted on, by gently running my fingernail along the design and seeing if it catches along the edge of the design."
Wood furniture piece that boasts dovetail joints is also well worth seeking out, she adds.
2. Engravings
Photo by Andreas von Einsiedel on Getty Images
While shopping for antique artwork, you'll surely be greeted with plenty of beautiful engravings for sale. "Engravings were one of the first methods to produce multiple art pieces from a single object," Christman says. "Engravings became very popular because more people could afford quality art that was not an original drawing or painting."
This is exactly why they're so appealing today. "Antique dealers are carefully selecting antique engravings, designing matting and pairing the art with antique or custom frames," Christman notes. "This process produces a one-of-a-kind art piece that feels aged and much more special than a modern print or photograph."
Photo by Belper Unitarians on Unsplash
To tell whether or not an engraving you come across is the real deal, you'll want to examine it for a few key features. "An antique engraving will often have the artist listed under the left corner and the engraver listed under the right corner," Christman says. "I also check for a plate mark, which is an indented border around the outside of the design that comes from the sheet of paper being pressed onto the engraved metal sheet."
3. Silver
Margaret Rose Photo
While gold and brass accessories seemed to be all the rage in years' past, silver is now top of mind for many. "It's truly classic," says Courtney Garzione, the founder of Grand and Now. She appreciates the versatility that many silver pieces offer, too. "Think silver plate champagne buckets to house floral arrangements, revere bowls or compotes filled with coral or shells, coupe glasses for matches next to a candle," she offers.
Photo by Haim Shamritz on Unsplash
Shoppers shouldn't be hesitant to scoop up silver finds that show a bit of wear and tear, either. As Garzione says, "Tarnished pieces that are truly silver plate can easily be revived with a little elbow grease and Wright's silver polish!"
4. Tapestries
Sarah Lyon
If you've felt as though you're noticing tapestries in home after home as of late, you're correct that these wall hangings are having a major moment. "Tapestries have literally been around for thousands of years, starting in ancient Egypt and eventually becoming status symbols for European nobility," explains Caroline Turner, the founder of Caroline Turner Interiors. "There's a real appetite right now for that organic, botanical aesthetic: the foliage, the depth, the sense that something has a story behind it."
Photo by Fernando Bengoechea on Getty Images
Turner has had great luck sourcing tapestries via Facebook Marketplace and isn't deterred by pieces in less-than-perfect condition. "Some wear is expected and even adds character," she says. What I pay closer attention to is the back label, which often tells you where the piece was made and includes a code you can look up to date it."
You may even just score a true diamond in the rough: Turner etells us that she paid $500 for a tapestry to use in a photoshoot, only to discover later, with the help of an appraiser, that it was actually worth substantially more.
5. Vintage Books
Photo by Stuart Cox /LatitudeStock on Getty Images
If you've noticed an uptick in secondhand sellers offering vintage books, you're not alone. "While many of us don’t have the luxury of a full home library, vintage books are wonderful for adding color and texture to coffee tables and shelves," says Willow Wright, the founder of Urban Redeux.
She advises those in the market for vintage books to not judge items by their (outer) cover. "Be sure to peek under the dust jacket," Wright instructs. "Many vintage and most antique books have cloth or leather-bound covers hiding underneath—these are often much prettier and often have typography that you won’t find in modern publishing."
6. Federal Eagle Mirrors
Photo by Sepia Times on Getty Images
Kristyn Royster has noticed a strong desire for convex federal eagle mirrors and attributes their popularity to both America's upcoming 250th anniversary and their versatility. "Federal mirrors are adaptable to any style," says the founder of Sincerely James. "They also transition well as your taste changes over a lifetime."
That said, you may struggle to find one of these mirrors ASAP. "Their popularity has made them very hard to come by this year," Royster notes. "If you want a true antique from the 1800s, you'll need to be ready to pay, but you can still find some deals at local markets and estate sales."
Related: World Market Is Selling a 'Whimsical and Stunning' Mirror With Tons of Vintage Charm
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