Brought to you by Christian Plat - Design Expert
It may be obvious that the originals are always better than knock-offs, but have you ever questioned why some design furniture is so valuable? There are many factors that can determine the value of design furniture, but what should you look for? Our design expert, Christian Plat, shares his knowledge on what he looks for when assessing design furniture to determine the possible value. Read on to discover how the experts determine the value of design furniture.
1. Age and Originality
Like with many collectibles, antiques and the like, age can add value. Because many pieces of design furniture are released in limited quantities, any surviving pieces will almost automatically increase in value. That being said, it's equally important to check the originality. Some pieces are reissued, but the originals or first productions are often more valuable. If your piece has a genuine manufacturer or designer's mark, the value will almost always increase as well.
2. Rarity and Provenance
After age and originality it's important to discuss rarity. Just because something is old doesn't necessarily mean that it's rare. Some design furniture was released in such large quantities that it's still possible to easily find these vintage pieces today. Limited editions, originals and first productions however will be more difficult to locate and therefore can be more valuable. A good story will almost always increase the value of just about anything and the same is of course true for designer furniture. Knowing the history of your design pieces is important as it can help establish originality. For example, older Rietveld Red and Blue chairs were never signed or marked and with so many fakes out there, a strong provenance will help prove the originality and add value.
3. Quality and Condition
Quality refers to how a piece was made, and condition refers to how a piece has survived. The quality of design furniture can be assessed in terms of craftsmanship (what techniques and materials were used) and in terms of functionality (how smoothly parts operate and how clean the finish is). Naturally the higher the quality of craftsmanship and materials and the better the functionality, the more valuable a piece of design furniture will be. Also important is the condition of a piece. Did it survive the years with little to no damage? Does it still have its original upholstery or glass? Are there any cracks, scratches, chips or missing parts? While this will detract from the value, it doesn't always mean that a damaged piece is worthless. If a piece is so rare that the only surviving examples are damaged, then your damaged piece may still be quite valuable. Its always important to look at these factors in context.
Now that you have some insight into how our design furniture experts determine the value of objects offered up for auction, hopefully you're inspired to start buying and selling furniture for yourself. Our design experts can't wait to see what you have to offer for auction. You can get started by becoming a seller. If you're in the market to buy, then don't forget to check our Design Furniture auction regularly because every week a new selection is available.
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