Regional Differences in Antiques Buying and Selling
In Antiquing in Liberty, NC, Miller looks at a piece by Burlon B. Craig, a well-known and popular potter in North Carolina. Miller expressed concern that this pot might not sell well outside the state, but convinced herself that, since the auction was in Virginia, it was still in the same regional market, the South.
How important are regional differences when buying and selling antiques? What does this mean for your treasure hunting? Some items go for high prices, no matter where you are, due to scarcity and demand. Other objects have specific regional appeal. We spoke with Ken Farmer, of Quinn & Farmer Auctions , and here's what he had to say:
The Internet has changed the rules about regionalism. Regional differences are a lot less important now than they were 15 or 20 years ago. We now can sell some pretty obscure stuff to people from all over the world.
Don't let the fact that a work is regional or obscure stop you from buying it. If you like the piece, it doesn't matter.
But, if you're looking to sell, you'll know it's a regional artist if you check online and don't find anything in national databases. If there's nothing, then that means you'll have to introduce this art to people who don't know anything about it.
The exception to that is an object that's super-quality, maybe a folk-art piece where no one knows who the creator is anyway. Sometimes you'll run across great things by anonymous artists and it doesn't matter that they don't have track records — go with how it appeals to you!
Written by MARKET WARRIORS senior producer Sarah Grafman.
