10/10/2025 General News
After some time in the doldrums, the last few years have seen a real resurgence in the market for antique furniture, writes Henry Hammond. Aside from the usual fads and fashions of the antiques world, there are a few reasons for this.
Perhaps the principal one is the realisation, during a longstanding cost-of-living crisis, of the value that can still be found in the saleroom. Furniture which has lasted over the centuries was necessarily well-made in the first place, probably built by talented craftsmen, and certainly without the corner-cutting mass production which is all too common with modern furniture.
Another factor is an increasing recognition that, to quote a landmark report by independent carbon consultancy Carbon Clear, that ‘antiques are green’. The study calculated that a mahogany-veneered chest of drawers dating from 1830 was likely to contribute 16 times less carbon than an equivalent modern piece, even taking into account restoration work undertaken during its life.
In an era when we are acutely aware of the impact of everything we do on the planet, this matters. It is one of the reasons that we have seen a new, younger set of buyers coming to the saleroom in search of furniture for their homes.
The third reason is that we have started to see a backlash against homogenous design; people are seeking the unique, the one-off piece. Achieving this with new furniture means commissioning new pieces at great expense; at auction you will find genuine one-offs.
The revival in the antique furniture market is most evident at our thrice-yearly Fine Sales, when the very best pieces come up for auction. With the last Fine Sale of the year coming up at the end of November (there is still time to consign to this sale, it closes on 21st October), I thought it might be helpful to look at the types of pieces which are particularly in demand.
At the moment we are seeing very strong prices for Georgian pieces, especially in woods such as walnut and elm. As a rule, these are smaller than some of the more monumental furniture which followed later in the 19th century, and as such are more suitable for today’s more compact homes. Materials such as walnut combine a very beautiful, fine finish with a lightness which is very much in keeping with the contemporary design idiom.
For exactly the same reason, mid-20th century furniture, especially that influenced by Scandinavian designers, has seen a real renaissance in recent years. Not so long ago you couldn’t give away post-war pieces; now they are snapped up every time they come up for sale.
Antique oak is sought after. This can span a wide range of styles, from large, imposing pieces such as refectory tables, four-poster beds and large cupboards, to smaller, more functional items such as sideboards, writing desks and occasional tables. The rustic farmhouse look is particularly popular, as it too fits in with the modern design language.
For those with grander houses, larger pieces from the Victorian era can be very suitable, often achieving the right scale in a way that modern furniture struggles to do. These pieces are often very ornate, making a statement – in a way that larger houses can accommodate.
It is really encouraging to see the antique furniture market in such good shape. It means that quality furniture from the past is finding a new life, and that fewer resources are being used to make new pieces. And it also means that we are once again appreciating the incredible craftsmanship and beautiful design which our forebears brought to their – and now our – homes.