How do I know if a piece of furniture is antique and valuable?

Check the joints (mortise and tenon, wooden pegs), natural wear marks, type of solid wood, and cabinetmaker marks. Furniture from before 1900 in good condition can be worth several hundred to thousands of euros.

How do I recognise genuine silverware?

Look for hallmarks: Minerva (950 silver), first standard (925 silver) in France/Belgium. Real silver tarnishes over time and reacts to the cold test (it warms up quickly when in contact with skin).

Can my old paintings be valuable?

Yes! Even small paintings can be worth a lot. Look for a signature, check the antique frame, the canvas (old linen or hemp), and the subject. Belgian landscapes, portraits and still lifes are sought after.

How to Identify Valuable Antiques at Home

Recognising antique furniture
Identifying genuine silverware
Evaluating your paintings
Porcelain and ceramics
Antique jewellery and watches
Other valuable items

After 28 years in the antique trade, we have seen fortunes hidden in attics and precious objects thrown away through ignorance. This guide will help you identify potential treasures in your home.

1. Recognising Valuable Antique Furniture

Antique furniture is often the most valuable items in a house. Here's how to identify them:

Signs of authenticity

Traditional joints

Mortise and tenon, wooden pegs (no modern screws or nails). Look under the furniture and in the drawers.

Solid wood

Oak, walnut, mahogany, cherry... Plywood only appears after 1920.

Natural wear

Patina on handles, wear on feet, authentic marks of time.

Cabinetmaker's marks

Stamps, hot iron signatures, manufacturer labels.

Sought-after styles

Louis XV (1723-1774)

Curved shapes, cabriole legs, rocaille ornaments. Highly sought after.

500 - 15,000+ euros

Louis XVI (1774-1792)

Straight lines, fluted legs, medallions. Classic elegance.

400 - 10,000+ euros

Art Deco (1920-1940)

Geometric shapes, exotic woods, lacquer. Very trendy currently.

300 - 8,000+ euros

Art Nouveau (1890-1910)

Organic forms, floral motifs. Majorelle, Galle highly rated.

500 - 20,000+ euros

2. Identifying Genuine Silverware

Silverware can represent significant value. Here's how to recognise it:

Hallmarks to look for

🏛

Minerva

950/1000 silver (France/Belgium)

🦁

Lion

English sterling silver 925

📐

Lozenge

Master silversmith's mark

Beware of silver-plated metal!

Silver-plated metal often bears the words "84g", "EPNS" or "silver plated". Its value is much lower than solid silver.

3. Evaluating Your Paintings

Even small paintings can have great value. Points to check:

Signature: Look in the corners, sometimes hidden in the decor
Support: Old canvas (linen, hemp) or wood panel
Frame: An old gilded frame can be worth as much as the painting
Subject: Belgian landscapes, portraits, seascapes are sought after
Provenance: Gallery labels, mentions on the back

4. Porcelain and Ceramics

Marks to look for (under the pieces)

Sevres

Interlaced double L. Very high value.

Meissen

Crossed swords. Prestigious German porcelain.

Limoges

Various marks. Recognised French quality.

Royal Copenhagen

Three waves. Denmark, highly collected.

5. Antique Jewellery and Watches

Antique jewellery can be very precious even if it seems modest:

Gold: Eagle head hallmark (18 carat), owl (foreign gold)
Platinum: Often confused with silver, much more precious
Stones: Antique "rose" or "cushion" cut diamonds highly sought after
Watches: Vintage Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe worth a fortune

6. Other Valuable Items Not to Overlook

Old books

First editions, leather bindings, bookplates

Vinyl records

Original pressings, limited editions

Cameras

Vintage Leica, Rolleiflex, Hasselblad

Old toys

Marklin trains, dolls, tin soldiers

Collections

Stamps, coins, old postcards

Light fixtures

Tiffany lamps, Art Deco, 50-70s design

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