No home is complete without art, and vintage and antique art, in particular, is known to be full of character—even a few special older pieces layered with newer finds will transform your space in no time. Best of all, art is versatile and can move with you over time, meaning that favorite piece can easily take you from your city rental to your suburban family home. Any design pro will confirm that it all comes down to how you style it.
If you’re new to the art of shopping secondhand for artwork, it’s important to establish clear expectations before driving over to a vintage store or antique shop. We spoke with Julia Collins, a London-based vintage and decorative art dealer and the founder of Collins & Green Art, who details six common mistakes people often make when purchasing antique art. Be sure to avoid these pitfalls to make the most of your art shopping experience.
❌ Assuming you can find a similar piece elsewhere.
It’s only natural to come across a piece of art at an antique or vintage store and wonder if you could source something similar on your own for less. It’s possible, but this may be a harder, more time-consuming task than you’d assume, explains Collins, who notes dealers put a significant amount of effort into procuring the most special items. “You would never guess the number of horrendously early mornings we face to get to the markets in time to find the treasures,” she says. “You have to kiss a lot of frogs in this business before you buy the prince!”
❌ Believing a dealer has majorly jacked up the price.
The next time you experience a bit of sticker shock when shopping for antique art, try to shift your perspective a bit. “Don’t assume the dealer has bought it for nothing and you are being ripped off,” Collins urges. “The dealer will be making something on it, but you’re paying for their skill, eye, knowledge and time.”
❌ Letting a so-so frame dissuade you.
If you’re drawn to a piece of art, don’t let a frame that’s worn or doesn’t suit your style be a dealbreaker. “Vintage paintings often come in really attractive frames and often they don’t,” Collins says. If taking your find to a professional frame shop is out of budget, Collins suggests trying another approach: “An alternative is to hang canvases unframed, which has a charm all of its own,” she says.
❌ Ignoring the artwork’s condition.
Frames can be altered, but if a piece itself has imperfections (as many pieces of vintage and antique art often do), be sure you have a sense of these flaws before making your purchase. Characteristics like fine cracks or missing paint may be charming to some but irritating to others, Collins explains. “With vintage art, beauty really is very much in the eye of the beholder, but the dealer should make you aware of the condition if there’s anything major,” she says.
❌ Being scared to ask questions.
On the note of making yourself aware of any flaws, don’t shy away from asking an antique or vintage art dealer questions as you shop. “We are approachable and friendly,” Collins says. “Buying a painting is an investment and you should be able to ask as many questions as you like.” For instance, feel free to inquire about the artist, when the piece was created and where the seller discovered it.
❌ Thinking you’ll make money off of a purchase.
Collins stresses the importance of shopping for art pieces for your current enjoyment as opposed to future resale. “There’s only one question which makes my blood boil and that is, ‘Will I make money out of this?’ The answer, unless you are very lucky, is ‘No,'” she says. “Buy what you love; there is no better reason to buy.”
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelancer who produces interior design, travel and lifestyle content. Her work is featured in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Plus, her personal spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz and more.
