The 20 Best Online Antique Stores for Enthusiasts
The days of having to sort through dusty aisles and boxes of broken pottery to find antiques are officially over. Like everyone else in the world, antique hunters have taken their search online, with the result that more and more online antique sites are springing up every day. Some of them combine their online sites with physical premises, while others have abandoned the idea of a bricks-and-mortar presence entirely to concentrate purely on online trade. Regardless of which kind you choose to put your business with, always remember to shop carefully. Fakes are rife, items can get damaged during transit, and descriptions can be misleading – to protect yourself (and your hard-earned cash), always do your research and check the terms and conditions (not to mention the returns policy) before you commit to a deal. If you’re ready to get hunting, here are the 20 best online antique stores to check out.
20. Omerohome
If you’re in the market for some Victorian candle holders, a few pieces of retro kitchenware, or maybe even a 19th-century armoire, be sure to check out Omerohome. The selection is vast, the collection is well-curated, and the price range is large enough to accommodate almost any budget.
19. Amazon
Amazon might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of antiques, and in fairness, it’s not necessarily the best place to hunt down antique household furniture or original fine art. But if you’re a collector looking for that old baseball card that’s been eluding you for years, or that rare coin from the 19th century, or maybe even that original concert poster from the days when the Beatles were still the Quarrymen, it’s ideal. As with all goods purchased via the site, you can rest assured that you’ll be covered by the Amazon return policy in case the item isn’t as expected.
18. Srchie
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that all antiques carry big price tags, but shop wisely and you could end up paying far less than you would for the modern equivalent. According to lovetoknow.com, if you love shopping at flea markets and hunting down bargains, Srchie is one of the best resources you’ll find online for cheap antiques. It’s essentially the online version of a flea market, but a much easier and quicker experience than browsing acres of stalls. Simply enter the name of the piece you’re looking for, and Srchie will search the internet for you until it finds it. As the transaction will be completed by the specific seller Srchie sources the piece through, guarantees and return policies vary widely – to avoid any trouble down the line, be sure to read the conditions of sale before completing the purchase.
17. The Good Mod
If mid-century finds are your game, head on over to The Good Mod to browse one of the best selections of mid-century finds online. The focus is very much on midcentury furniture, along with a good selection of pieces from slightly earlier in the century. There’s also a great assortment of light fixtures, art pieces, clocks, and other vintage accessories.
16. Rejuvenation
Whereas most antique sites simply sell their goods in the same condition in which they were found, Rejuvenation goes one step further and restores them to their former glory. As a result, you won’t have to worry about tarnished brass fixtures, bruised and battered cabinets, or faulty fixtures. The range of goods isn’t quite as extensive as it is on certain other sites, but the quality is outstanding. Each item comes with a 30-day refund policy in case you’re not completely happy with your purchase.
15. Chairish
Whether you want to stock your home in antique furniture or are on the lookout for some art to hang over the fireplace, Chairish is a great port of call. It offers a huge number of goods (on a good day, expect to find up to around 38,000 pieces to browse) and a good variety of items, from furniture and art to china figurines and rugs. As items are sold through individual sellers, authenticity isn’t guaranteed. However, if you have any qualms once the item arrives, you can return it within 48 hours.
14. TIAS Antiques
TIAS Antiques stock a wide selection of goods, including heirloom jewelry, art, and antique furniture. But 18th-century cabinets and Victorian chandeliers aren’t what draws visitors to the site. The real draw here is the exceptional selection of advertising antiques. With everything from neon signs from the ’80s to art deco posters from the early 20th century, it could well be the best selection of its kind online. Better yet, you can shop safely in the knowledge that everything you buy from a seller with a TIAS Trusted Merchant Guarantee comes with a 14 day return period.
13. MS Rau Antiques
If you want something a little different from the norm, take a look at the goods on offer at MS Rau Antiques. The site specializes in rare pieces and one-of-a-kind collectibles, from walking canes and medical antiques to vintage music boxes. While the goods are always interesting, the real selling point of the store is its 125% guarantee. If you discover a fault that wasn’t advertised or find out that the piece isn’t quite as authentic as you thought, you can return it at any time within five years of the purchase date for a full return of the purchase price plus 5% for every year.
12. Modern Antiquarian
Modern Antiquarian offers a superb selection of antiques specially chosen with the modern home in mind. While some online antique sites would make a garage sale seem high-end, each item sold by Modern Antiquarian has been selected by its curation team for its beauty and history. As housebeautiful.com notes, the range is extensive, boasting everything from 18th-century silver champagne buckets to carved chests of drawers and crystal chandeliers.
11. Etsy
Etsy used to be the go-to for arts and crafts, but these days, it’s about a lot more than knitted toys and embroidery kits. Browse its Art & Collectibles or Vintage categories and you’ll find a vast selection of collectibles, vintage clothes, antique rugs, heirloom jewelry, fine art, china work, and more besides. The prices vary considerably, but the selection is wide enough for you to easily find something within budget. The option to read other customers’ reviews of the seller is a great touch that will help you shop with peace of mind.
10. Ruby Lane
As archiecho.com says, Ruby Lane is a great online platform where you can find some of the best collectibles on the web. It’s a little like Craigslist, eBay, and Etsy in terms of functionality, but unlike those other retail giants, the name of the game here is antiques. It was founded in 1998 as one of the very earliest online vintage retailers and is now one of the largest sites of its kind. With over half a million items to browse, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that catches your eye.
9. eBay
It should come as no surprise to anyone who’s ever visited the site that eBay is an excellent place to source just about anything, antiques included. Coins, artwork, books, jewelry, stamps, antique watches, vintage sports memorabilia, heirloom furniture, rugs, light fixtures…. whatever you can think of, there’s a very good chance that someone, somewhere, is selling it on eBay. Like Etsy, it lets you find out more about the seller via customer reviews, and again like Etsy, it’s easy enough to filter down your search based on exactly what kind of item you’re looking for. As things like return policies and shipping costs vary by seller, always read the fine print before committing to a sale.
8. Artfire
If you’re looking for an online antique site that does the heavy lifting for you, be sure to check out Artfire. All of its antique items are filtered under six separate categories, including jewelry, tools and craft supplies, art pieces, and entertainment, making the process of finding the exact item you’re looking for that much easier – and quicker. The selection is vast, covering a wide range of periods, pieces, and prices. Regardless of whether you’re in the market for a pendant light shade from the Victorian era or an oil painting from the 18th century, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble on something you love.
7. Zibbet
Zibbet is by no means one of the biggest antique sites around, but it’s still a great place to check out for rare and vintage finds. It’s a little like Etsy in terms of its layout, with filters and categories that let you narrow down your search. It’s not the place to look for bulky pieces of antique furniture, but there are enough vintage accessories, antique home decor pieces, and jewelry to excite collectors.
6. Mint Threads
As a heads up, you aren’t going to find that Queen Anne cabinet you’ve been searching for on Mint Threads. Neither will you find any old oil paintings or vintage stamp collections. What you will find is an excellent collection of vintage clothing and antique accessories that will send lovers of flapper dresses, victorian pantaloons, and disco-era leg warmers into a rapture. Named as one of the best online vintage stores by threadcurve.com, it’s a must-visit for fans of vintage fashion.
5. OLX
As homestratosphere.com explains, OLX is a fast-growing online marketplace for all kinds of products and services. Back in the day, it used to go under the name of Dealfish and specialized in listing job opportunities. Since then, it’s expanded its remit and is now a great place to hunt down antiques, collectibles and vintage finds.
4. Antiques and Chatchkes
Antiques and Chatchkes offers an almost unending list of antiques, ranging from jewelry pieces and furniture to lighting accessories and kitchenware. If you’re on the lookout for a Faberge pendant, an 18th-century oil painting, or maybe that rare coin to complete your collection, there’s a very good chance you’ll find it here.
3. Sotheby’s
If you’ve any kind of interest in antiques, Sotheby’s is a name that will need no introduction. Established in 1744, they’re one of the most famous antique and art auction sites in the world. You won’t find any bargains on the site, so skip it if you’re on a tight budget. If, however, you’ve got a very specific item in mind and have fewer concerns about the price than the quality, this is the site for you. Not all goods sold via the auction house are available online, but you’ll find an excellent selection of antique furniture, art work, watches and other timepieces, and jewelry. As you’d expect of such a well-respected name, authenticity and quality are guaranteed. If you proceed with a purchase, your money will be in very safe hands.
2. Tara Shaw Antiques
If you’ve got a passion for antique furniture from Europe, make sure to pay a visit to Tara Shaw Antiques. The selection is exceptionally well-curated and of very high quality. You won’t find any flea market finds, but if you’re hunting down an 18th-century Italian chandelier, a Chippendale chest or an Ottoman chair, you’ve got a good chance of finding it here. The site is well maintained and easy to navigate. While the prices are high, so are the standards.
1. 1st Dibs
If you’ve got a wad of cash to blow, 1st Dibs is an excellent site to blow it at. With the average item selling for around $3000, this isn’t the site for bargain hunters. It is, however, an ideal place to source those rare, valuable finds that can sometimes be hard to find on other online antique sites. It’s an upmarket store, and one that prides itself on its reputation. All sellers are thoroughly vetted before they’re allowed to sell on the site, and the company offers a guarantee of authenticity for every item sold. The range of products is excellent, varying from household antiques from famous designers to collectibles and jewelry.