With 30 years of resale under my belt, I’m the guy when friends need a quick analysis. And over the years I’ve noticed something that happens over and over again: Antiques that many people consider valuable are often useless, and the things they want to throw away are often hot collectibles.
Here’s why: Most of us get our idea of what’s important from our parents. But markets are changing, and new collectors have different preferences.
What neglected treasures are hidden in your home right now? The answers may surprise you. In this series, we’ll explore the hottest collections you may already have.
The horses are Breyer’s Vintage models
Based in Chicago, the Breyer Molding Company released its first horse model in 1950. That first horse was designed as a watch accessory sold by the FW Woolworth Company. Customers seemed to love the horse more than the watch, and Breyer’s line of model horses was born.
Over the past 74 years, Breyer horses have become a beloved collectible, walking somewhere between a cool toy for children and a home decor item for adults.
Breyer horses are usually marked with a “button,” a round stamp stamped on the inside leg that is legible. Company Breyer Molding Co., Ltd. or Breyer Reeves. A mark is usually easier to feel than to see (I rely on my smartphone to take pictures and zoom in on small marks).
Fortunately for collectors, there is an extensive online resource for Breyer horses. Check out Identify Your Breyer to research molds, model numbers, and history.
Great collectors will pony up (sorry) for the rare Breyer pieces. On eBay, this antique gold Breyer horse sold for $2,200, and this blue Wedgewood mare sold for $1,750.
Van Teal acrylic lamps and figures
Born in Cuba, Hivo Van Teal fled that country after the Communist Revolution in 1959. Settling in Coral Gables, Florida, Van Teal became a general contractor and later ventured into the arts.
Along with his wife, Estela, Van Teal opened a small sculpture and lighting studio in Miami Beach in 1974. His clear acrylic lamps and illustrations caught the eye of shoppers at Saks Fifth Avenue and I. Magnin. Large custom installations followed, and Van Teal gradually became a leading designer of restaurants, hotels, and public spaces. (think Chihuly, but with acrylic instead of glass).
Vintage Van Teal pieces are prized by collectors around the world. On Etsy, this stunning pair of Van Teal table lamps is listed for $1,600, and this colorful perfume bottle recently sold for $300 on eBay.
Pro tip: Not sure if your acrylic treasure is the real Van Teal? Many pieces were hand signed with a small engraved mark on or under the base.
Marimekko fabric
If there’s one company that captured the beauty of 1960s and ’70s design, it’s Marimekko. Since 1954, the printed fabrics of this Finnish design house have been used in high fashion, home furnishings, and works of art.
Instead of hiring a single team of designers, founder Armi Ratia worked with independent designers to create new prints. The result is a tour de force collection of textile art from the world’s most visionary artists.
Still going strong today, Marimekko has partnered with retailers such as UNIQLO, IKEA, and West Elm to release limited-edition products inspired by the company’s aesthetic.
Resale prices frame the biggest of all is Marimekko. On eBay, this 57-by-52-inch panel recently sold for $250, and this set of four drapes made from Marimekko fabric sold for $150. On Etsy, this bold 46-inch-square panel is listed for sewing-wonderful price of $545.
Humble (but hot) stuff.
Plastic, acrylic and factory-made bolt-on fabric are not materials commonly associated with collecting. But resale prices don’t lie; they reflect today’s consumer demand and the shrinking supply of original pieces.
Instead of focusing on what something is made of, focus on how well it’s made, its design quality, and what kind of feeling it inspires. Remember, there are gems all around you – and some of them are made of plastic.
Interested in taking a closer look at the amazing collections? Check out my series of hidden gems in the secondhand market.
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