Preface The following survey was conducted in October and November of 2011 by the staff at the Asheford Institute of Antiques. It consists of a sampling of over three hundred current students and past graduates that are actively employed or working within the antiques and collectibles marketplace within the United States and Canada (both urban and rural areas). All participants chosen, own and operate their own antique businesses, and are listed as, “proprietors” in the survey. Survey Mission Statement This survey was directed toward market trends in the antiques and collectibles business. The primary focus of the survey was to gauge interest in current trends of antiques and collectibles, based on sales and requests for particular items/genre/periods from customers. The survey was informal in nature, and did not employ any standardized measurable scientific practices or criteria. The survey was further broken down into age groups, indicating item/genre/period specific preferences for each of those groupings. The item/genre/period listings are represented in scale, from 1 to 10, with 1 being the most popular. (*Special Note: While the survey did not include specific geographic comparables, the terms North East (NE), South East (SE) North West (NW) and South West (SW) were used when applicable, to indicate particularly strong interest in item/genre/periods. Listings without these notations indicate “all” geographic areas, and common interest.) (*) Victorian – this term is not inclusive of, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Mission style, in this survey. Antique Business - Proprietors Age Grouping: 20–38 1. Art Nouveau - All items related to this period of time. (NE) (SW) (NW) 2. Art Deco - Most specifically related to furniture – chests of drawers, armoires with metal accents, some jewellery. (NE) (SE) (SW) 3. Early Americana/Canadiana - harvest tables, chests of drawers, side tables, hutches, coffee tables (reproductions), mirrors, small wooden and metal farm tools, blanket boxes, dry-sinks, etc. Anything primitive. (NE) (SE) (NW) 4. Lighting - 1920’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s. Special interest in chrome and stainless (style) lighting from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. 5. Mirrors - All periods. With more emphasis on metal frames from the 20s and 30’s. Or frameless mirrors. 6. Glass - Particularly from the 1930’s and up. Vibrant colours and unusual shapes - vases, pitchers, objects d’art. 7. Textiles - Rugs, quilts, tapestries etc. (NE) 8. Memorabilia - Wide range from automotive (motorcycle especially), to cameras, to vinyl records, lunch boxes, games, some paper antiques (old film posters.) 9. Victorian(*) (early- mid) - Some furniture items, but more so jewellery. Some “smalls” such as pins, little wooden boxes, hat boxes, kitchen untensils, etc. 10. Paintings - Preferably off-beat and somewhat unknown – all styles - but particularly from 1920's to 1950's. (NE) (SW) (NW) Antique Business - Proprietors Age Grouping: 38-58 1. Victorian (early, mid and late) - furniture items mainly, ranging from tables, bookshelves, bookcases, what-nots, hutches, flat-to-the-walls, washstands, chairs, sideboards, benches, etc. 2. China - all types. 3. Art Nouveau - all items related to this period of time. (NE) (SW) (NW) 4. Glass - All types. Particularly from the Victorian era. 5. Memorabilia - Wide range from automotive – car related, as well as 'signage' (tin signs for gas stations, oil companies, etc.), toys, cameras, vinyl records, some paper antiques (posters, newspapers). 6. Folk Art - all varieties and in all price ranges from whirligigs, to weather vanes etc. (NE) 7. Jewellery - all periods and styles - with emphasis on Art Nouveau. 8. Silver - all items. 9. Architectural antiques - items such as balusters, mouldings, doors, old windows (stained glass), railings, etc. (NE) (SW) (NW) 10. Mission - chairs, side tables, desks, etc. Still very popular in the (NE), and sells particularly well in the (SW). Antique Business - Proprietors Age Grouping: 58–78 1. Silver – all types. 2. Books - all varieties, but especially hard-backs and first editions. (NE) 3. Lighting - lamps – leaded glass, art glass, oil lamps, etc. 4. Victorian (early, mid and late) - furniture items mainly, ranging from tables, bookshelves, bookcases, what-nots, hutches, flat-to-the-walls, washstands etc. 5. Chairs - all types. Upholstered wing-backs, ladder-back, etc. 6. China - all types, including dinnerware. 7. Clocks - mainly Victorian. 8. Georgian Furniture - tables, chairs, dinning room tables, sideboards, etc. (NE) (SE) 9. Art Nouveau - all items related to this period of time. (NE) (SW) (NW) 10. Paintings - primarily Victorian. *** Disclaimer: This survey was conducted for entertainment purposes only, and relied on a sampling of verbal and written responses for its construction. The data was compiled from "provided" information, and thus, should be treated accordingly in regard to accuracy and correctness. |
A.I.A. Staff
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