Cleaning out a family home can turn up all kinds of surprises. Something that looks like an old decoration or an outdated piece of furniture may actually be a collectible that buyers and antique dealers would happily pay good money for.
That doesn’t mean every old item is valuable. Age, condition, maker, materials, rarity, and provenance can all affect what a piece is worth. Still, it’s smart to pause before sending Grandma’s old belongings to a thrift store, putting them in a yard sale, or leaving them at the curb.
Here are eight pieces worth checking before they disappear.
Bouillotte Lamps
Bouillotte lamps have a distinctive look that makes them easier to recognize once you’ve seen a few. Traditional versions have several candle-style arms topped with a metal shade, and the design dates back to France, where these lamps were associated with gaming tables.
Older examples can be attractive to collectors because of their age, construction, and decorative details. Some newer lamps copy the same look, so don’t assume every bouillotte-style lamp is an antique.
Check the materials, construction, wiring, and any marks on the base before deciding what you have.
Related: 10 Vintage Comic Books That Sold for Eye-Watering Prices
George II Mirrors
A large giltwood mirror covered in carved details might seem like something that belongs in an old mansion, but pieces inspired by George II-era English design can turn up in inherited collections.
Authentic 18th-century examples are rare and can be worth considerable money. Their carved wood frames, gilding, age, and craftsmanship all contribute to their appeal.
Be careful with identification, though. Many later mirrors were made in earlier styles, and a reproduction can look remarkably convincing at first glance.
Wooden Checkerboards
An old checkerboard may seem like nothing more than a game left behind in a cabinet. Some handmade examples, though, are collectible folk art.
Boards from the late 19th and early 20th centuries can feature hand-painted squares, unusual color combinations, decorative details, or a second game board on the reverse side.
Look at how the board was made rather than focusing only on its age. Handcrafted construction, wear consistent with age, and an interesting design can make a checkerboard much more appealing to collectors.
Related: 10 Classic ’80s Items Every Vintage Lover Wants to Find
Barrister Bookcases
Those glass-front bookcases with individual stacking sections are a familiar sight in older homes and offices. Known as barrister bookcases, they were made so that each section could be stacked and moved separately.
Older examples from makers such as Globe-Wernicke can attract collectors, especially when several matching sections remain together.
Check the wood, glass doors, hardware, labels, and overall condition. A complete set with original parts can be far more desirable than a damaged or incomplete example.
Related: How to Paint an Old Bookshelf
Micro Mosaic Frames
Small mosaic frames made from tiny pieces of colored glass are easy to mistake for ordinary souvenirs. Many were created in Italy and sold to travelers during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The best examples have remarkably detailed designs, often depicting flowers, buildings, landscapes, or other recognizable scenes. The tiny pieces were fitted together by hand to create the image.
Check the quality of the mosaic and the condition of the frame. Missing pieces, cracks, or heavy damage can affect both appearance and value.
Andirons
Antique andirons were made to hold logs inside a fireplace, but some are far more decorative than you’d expect from a basic fireplace tool.
Brass, iron, and bronze examples can feature elaborate legs, decorative finials, animal figures, or other ornamental details. Older European pieces can be especially interesting to collectors.
If you find a pair in an old living room, fireplace area, or storage space, don’t automatically treat them as scrap metal. A matching pair with good construction and attractive details may be worth researching.
Related: 15 Vintage Electronics That Collectors Are Paying Big Money For
Cuckoo Clocks
A carved cuckoo clock can be one of the most recognizable vintage pieces in an older home. Traditional German examples are especially popular, with some featuring elaborate wood carvings, moving figures, musical mechanisms, and detailed cases.
Condition matters a lot with clocks. A clock that still has its original movement and decorative parts may be more desirable than one that has been heavily modified.
Check the maker’s markings, movement, carvings, weights, pendulum, and overall condition. If the clock doesn’t work, don’t assume it’s worthless. Antique clocks can still have collector value even when they need repairs.
Spool Tramp Art Furniture
Tramp art is a form of folk art made by layering and carving pieces of wood into intricate designs. Some pieces were created from scrap wood or discarded materials, including wooden thread spools.
You might find tramp art in the form of small tables, shelves, boxes, frames, or decorative furniture. The handmade construction and detailed carving are part of what makes these pieces appealing to folk-art collectors.
Look closely at the construction and carving. Handmade pieces can vary greatly, and an unusual design in good condition may deserve more research before being sold or donated.
Take a Second Look Before You Clear Everything Out
Old furniture and decorations can be easy to dismiss when you’re trying to empty a house. But a dated appearance doesn’t automatically mean an item has no value.
Before getting rid of something unusual, check for maker’s marks, labels, signatures, construction details, and signs of age. Take clear photos and compare the piece with verified examples from reputable auction houses, antique dealers, or established collecting resources.
You might find that the object everyone thought was just an old piece of Grandma’s décor has a much more interesting story, and possibly a much higher value, than anyone expected.
