Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my Artwork is valuable?

As we all know certain artworks can be very valuable depending on the artist who created it. While most of us don’t pretend to have an original Monet hung on the wall, it is surprising how much even decorative paintings can be worth. While art valuations can take a lifetime to master and showing your piece to a specialist advisable, there are still ways to do some initial assessment yourself. The first thing of course is to check for a signature or details recorded on the back. It is easy to conduct research if so but even if the piece is unmarked then specialists will often be able to attribute your piece to a particular artist or school just by looking. The work of unknown amateur artists tends to be based on its aesthetic appeal and skill employed. As decorative pieces they are usually only worth a few hundred pounds at most. The financial value really only goes up when the piece can be attributed to professional artists who were influential in their day.

It is of course worth checking that your artwork is an original and not a copy (although limited edition prints can still be quite valuable). Copies will only be of decorative value. There are lots of resources on the internet which can help you begin to attribute and value your piece, but the research may take time.   

Where can I buy Vintage Art Online?

There are more places than ever online to buy Vintage Art but it is important to ensure you are buying from a reputable place as copies, mis-representations and forgeries are sadly common. It is also important to consider the cost of postage if buying online and especially from overseas. Because artwork can be easily damaged some carriers will not offer compensation and with careful packing the price of shipping may be prohibitive. At LoveAntiques our reputable art dealers will usually arrange postage or delivery for you and will be able to offer assurances about attribution as well.

How do I sell antique art?

Just like buying art, there are many places to sell it as well. Auction houses are a common route for most people as the Auction House will take over the responsibility of describing the piece accurately and ensuring the right collectors view it. You can also offer it to our dealers at LoveAntiques who may be interested in it for their stock. It is worth being realistic about the value when selling. Since art is very much about personal taste and setting there is rarely a firm price for any collectable.  If choosing to sell yourself then it is important to be accurate about the condition and any suspected attribution.

Is vintage art popular?

Vintage art from the 1950s onwards is extremely popular right now. The look and techniques seem to appeal to our modern aesthetic, more so than the older more traditional pieces which were more popular some years ago. Currently we enjoy unusual, humorous and thoughtful pieces which make bold statements on our understated walls and interiors. Because these pieces are still relatively recent there are proportionally more around than older works, so values for bland pieces remain low while interesting or iconic pieces are high. Also their age makes research on vintage art far more fruitful and enjoyable than much older pieces.