About Antique shops and the antique trade

The antiques trade continues to grow as more and more people are choosing to buy furniture and artefacts from a bygone era, rather than new things. Old furniture has character and history and in a society which throws far too much away, lots more people are waking up to the idea of reusing furniture and other practical objects.

It is a common misconception that antiques dealers make a lot of profit for little work. The majority of people who get into the antiques business have a passion for old, beautiful things, with a history and they have to work very hard to earn a living.

To a large extent the definition of antique is somewhat blurred today and many so-called antique dealers will merely be trading in old and second-hand goods or items with collectible or nostalgic value and either new or second-hand reproduction goods. Strictly speaking, however, an article can only be termed an antique if it is at least 100 years old, although purists will only consider anything pre-1830 as being a true antique.

Antique dealing covers a whole range of antique artefacts including furniture, glass and chinaware, brass and silverware, fine arts, books, prints and a whole host of collectible memorabilia. Most general dealers will have one or two specialist areas and you will find that antique shops tend to concentrate on specific periods and goods, rather than having a mish-mash of items.

Antique trading is carried on at various levels, usually directly related to the merchandise being traded and the expertise of the trader.

The Knocker
Generally "knockers" are unregistered traders with little or no knowledge and with no fixed business premises. Transactions will be almost entirely in cash.

The Runner
Runners will usually work regular circuits, attending auctions, house content sales, antiques and market fairs, for their sources of supply. Runners will also assist dealers in their purchases and sales, usually working on a commission basis.

Antique Fair Dealer
The range of antique fairs or specialised one-off sale meetings is wide, from the collectors' fair to the more prestigious major fairs, where the quality of goods will be high.

Antique Shops
Antique shops come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each one selling a range of goods, usually reflecting the owner's interest or expertise in a particular field. Antique shops tend to cluster together in the same location so that they become a focal point or destination. This may seem strange, but antique shops tend to thrive on this level of competition.

Sunnyside Antiques is an antique shop situated in some of Scotland's most stunning scenery. We deal in 17th to 19th century furniture and objets d'art. Call us today on 01899 850 552 to find out more.