Antiques Trade Talks – James Tierney of the Vintage Barn

James Tierney is the co-owner of Liverpool-based antique and vintage warehouse, the Vintage Barn. The shop specialises in a variety of antique furniture, alongside vintage interior furnishings.

What areas/items are currently selling well?

Victorian/Edwardian dark, heavily carved furniture can be picked up pretty cheaply at the moment, probably around half the price it was eight to ten years ago, making antique furniture like this pretty cheap. However, over the past decade there has been a massive interest in 50s, 60s, and 70s furnishings, ceramics, art, etc.

For example, G plan and any Scandinavian furnishings, especially with maker’s markings.

A lot of this change is due to the new wave of buildings being constructed in city apartments, alongside the influx of foreign students, especially Japanese doctors and students who love the retro style and other people follow suit.

What do you think are the current ‘good investment’ items – ones to watch?

In line with this new trend there are a couple of good investments for future antiques. There are two modern-day artists from Liverpool, Arthur Dooley and Brian Burgess, who studied at the same academy and both work in the same field and style of paintings/sculptures. Their works can still be found and bought at the right prices. If you find any, they are worth keeping for future investment. Over the past 20 years, there works have become more sought after and increased in value and interest.

What antiques do you have at home and why?

I love paintings, especially neoclassicism, and clocks, but only mechanical long case and ormolu French style or bronze/enamel style. I also love good, small pieces of Georgian furniture and French gilted kingswood furniture.

What do you think will be the antiques of the future?

Antiques of the future are going to be those created by independent designers of modern-day art in all aspects, such as furniture, glass, ceramics and art.  However, pieces must have the maker’s stamps, names or marks added, especially for prototypes or one-off pieces. Look out for these.

How is the industry changing and what will it look like in the future?

The antique and collectors industry has changed dramatically since 2000. It was also dramatically affected in the 2007 crash as many foreign buyers went out of business. This was when the shipping of antiques to places such as America and Canada virtually stopped. It’s also why Victorian, Edwardian and pre-war furniture lost its value.

Tell us some trade secrets – what are you top tips for buying antiques?

I’d be a fool to tell you! The best places to find antiques are secondhand shops and house clearances. Avoid auction houses as there are too many dealers hanging around, so no bargains!

What are some of the biggest mistakes that buyers make?

Buyers make the big mistake of getting over excited when they find a piece. They can then fall into the trap of buying before they’ve thoroughly checked it out, sometimes paying a high price for a copy or reproduction.

What key questions should buyers and collectors ask before buying?

Buyers should always ask the seller for the history of the item they are buying. The stronger the provenance, the more valuable it could be.

Why should people buy antiques over new items?

Better quality antique furnishings are very well made by cabinet makers and have had a very long life. More importantly, they offer better quality at a cheaper price compared to new furnishings, which are made with a very short life expectancy.

Do you think young people are interested in antiques and, if so, how do they appeal to them?

Yes, young people are starting to show a lot more interest in antiques, appreciating the good value compared to buying new from stores. After the low of the past 10 years, I think we are seeing a revival in demand for antiques among the younger professionals.