Published on : 05 April 20215 min reading time
Some people own things they cherish so much because they are valuables, heirlooms, or gifts from their parents. These items may be exceptional, but some of them may also be modest items. How to know?  The profession of an antique dealer will be of great benefit to you. In Paris, you will find several antique dealers since the city of Paris is a famous capital recognized as a city-museum. The antique shops contain art pieces and old objects. 

Why is the help of an antique dealer needed if I want to sell works of art?

Paris: a city of antique dealers

The city of Paris is the market for art and antiques. Art lovers who are in search of antiques can find several antique shops in the capital. If you want to go to an antique dealer, look for one in Paris which is the city of antique dealers. The latter will guide you and provide you with advice during your purchases or investments in the field of art. There are many antique shops throughout the city of Paris. Some are famous and those who are not. Therefore, you have to search all over Paris, in advance, to find the best antique dealer.  To facilitate research, the Internet is your best friend as you can visit any antique dealer from the comfort of your home.  This is highly important because, with the evolution of the internet, the profession of antiquarian has also developed over time. 

Antique dealers are now able to do their job online, but you need to be very careful and knowledgeable because online scams exist.

What is the job of an antique dealer?

First, the word antiquarian has several synonyms: antique seller, second-hand buyer, and seller, second-hand dealer, restorer of works of art.  Not only does an antique dealer exercises an artistic activity but a creative one as well.  In fact, an antique dealer trades and buys art objects, then resells them.  Whatever the object of art, second-hand or old, they can be purchased from professionals or private customers.  Works of art can be paintings, sculptures, photographs … and old objects such as books, prints, furniture, etc… as long as these old objects are valuables.  In general, an antique dealer specializes in a field or era such as glassware or painting, or goldsmithing.  An antique dealer works in an antique store or a restoration workshop.  He travels regularly to discover objects and works to put them back on sale.  To do this, he visits flea markets or goes to private homes, or even attends auctions. 

Thus, an antique dealer must be bilingual and must above all be fluent in the English language as he travels abroad, deepens his research, welcomes clients from all over the world, and provides advice.

Why confide in an antique dealer?

You may be considering selling your items.  Online, on a sales site, you can get a better price for your items. 

However, it is a good idea to speak to an antique dealer in Paris before selling your antiques.  Indeed, an antique dealer takes care of buying and reselling your items.  The antique dealer provides you with a lot of information about the object and tells you about the style, age, quality, provenance of the object, and its characteristics. Then, the professional specifies the fair value of your object as well as the market price, as best as could be done. It is therefore recommended to find a professional antique dealer and a reliable website to avoid fraud and to avoid being cheated.  Do not neglect the valuation of your objects or your works of art. 

What items can I sell at an antique dealer?

People think that anything that has passed the century may be antiques.  This is not quite the case.  In general, objects and collectors’ items that are made before the year 1930, until the Empire, are called antiques.  They are real antiques because they are handmade.  Those made at the start of the industrial age are no longer antiques to be handed over to an antique dealer.  These antiques are defined by their authenticity, their age, their rarity, and their fame thanks to which they are classified as fine art. 

It is not only their seniority that counts, their maintenance must also be evaluated.  Are they well maintained, Are they unique and considered rare pieces? 

How is their quality and what material are they made of?  Where do they come from and what is their country of origin?