Modern Antiques Dealing: Not an Anathema
Modern Antiques Dealing: A Contradiction in Itself?
At first glance, modern antiques dealing sounds like a contradiction. Antiques are about age, history, patina and survival. Modern is about speed, convenience and technology. Traditionally, the two didn’t mix.
But the market has moved on — and sensibly so.
The romance of antiques still lies in the objects themselves: pieces that have already lived a life, gathered character, and proved their quality by simply lasting. What has changed is how those objects are bought and sold.
Today, serious antiques dealing happens online. That doesn’t make it casual or careless — quite the opposite.
Modern dealing means we do the heavy lifting so buyers and sellers don’t have to. Every item is carefully selected, properly described, honestly photographed and accurately dated. Condition is stated clearly. Quality is guaranteed. No smoke, no mirrors.
We handle the unglamorous but essential parts:
packaging, postage, international deliveries, customs forms, delays, breakages, refunds and returns. If something goes wrong — and occasionally it does — we deal with it swiftly and fairly. That’s the job.
Buying antiques should be a pleasure, not a negotiation exercise or a leap of faith.
Online selling also means accessibility. You don’t need to be in London, Paris or New York. You can browse at midnight, compare calmly, ask questions, and decide in your own time. The market becomes wider, fairer and more transparent.
And crucially, modern dealing allows people to fit antiques around their lives — not the other way round. Work, family, travel, school runs, early mornings or late nights — the shop is open when you are.
The contradiction disappears once you realise this:
the methods may be modern, but the standards remain traditional.
Judgement, discipline, honesty and experience still matter. Perhaps now more than ever.
Antiques are old.
Good dealing never goes out of fashion.
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