An Art Expert Shares the Most Common Mistakes People Make When Buying Antiques

The right vintage piece can tie a room together. But finding antique pieces you love can be surprisingly challenging. We tapped Julia Collins, a London-based vintage and decorative art dealer and the founder of Collins & Green Art to tell us the antique art buying mistakes most people make.

From passing up on an antique item you truly love because of a so-so frame to being afraid to ask questions about the art, these mistakes could cause you to miss out on a piece that completes your living room or makes your bedroom feel like a cozy haven.

Here are the antique art buying mistakes to avoid, according to an art pro.

❌ 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.”