Antique dealer

Antique dealers buy and sell old and collectable objects to make a profit. Some antique dealers specialise in certain items. They sell antiques in shops, at antique fairs and at markets.

Work activities

Antique dealers buy and sell old and collectable objects. They buy from other dealers at antique fairs and markets, at auctions, and from members of the public. Antique dealers travel around to look for items they think they can sell at a profit. They use their expert knowledge to estimate the value of something they want to buy, and then negotiate a price with the seller. Dealers sell antiques in shops, at antique fairs and markets. Some dealers work in one shop or market permanently; others travel around to different locations. They display their goods in an attractive way and keep the items clean and in good condition. Some dealers sell goods online through a website. Some antique dealers specialise in certain items, for example:

• Furniture or sculpture.
• Ceramics and glass.
• Paintings, prints and drawings.
• Books and maps.
• Objects made from silver, gold or other precious metals.
• Toys and games.
• Clocks, watches or scientific instruments.
• Items of a certain age or from a particular time in history.
• Antiques from one country or region.

An antique is usually an item that is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features. A true antique is defined as at least 100 years old; vintage and collectible are used to describe items that are old, but do not meet the 100-year criteria. Antique dealers advise customers on the age, history of ownership (known as provenance) and maker of the item, if known. They also tell them what it is made from and if the item has been repaired or restored in any way. These factors affect the value of the piece. Some antique dealers value items for customers who want to sell them. Antique dealers sometimes sell items to customers from other countries. They have to have an export licence to send these items overseas. They arrange for a specialist shipper to pack and deliver the item so that it is not damaged on the way.

Personal qualities and skills

As an antique dealer, you will need to be able to:

• Combine an interest in old and interesting objects with business skills.
• Get on well with people.
• Display items in an attractive way.
• Use technical knowledge and practical skills to keep items clean and in good condition.
• Travel around, to auctions and antique fairs, for example; you are likely to need a full driving licence.
• Keep accurate records.

You should have:

• A good eye for a bargain.
• Negotiating and selling skills.
• An interest in design and history.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Number skills.

You will need to be well organised. If you are buying and selling heavy items such as furniture, you will need to be physically fit. If you are dealing in particularly delicate or fragile items, you will need to be able to handle these items expertly and carefully.

Pay and opportunities 

Antique dealers usually make their money from the profits from their buying and selling activities. As such, earnings are highly variable.

Antique dealers work a basic 39-41-hour week. They usually work on Saturdays and might have some early starts and late finishes, especially when attending a fair or market.

Employers are antique/collectable shops, or more usually, buyers and sellers trade via the internet. Shops vary in size and some specialise, for example, in antique furniture, clocks or silver, or in collectables such as glass, ceramics or textiles. Other opportunities exist with auction houses. Opportunities for antique dealers occur in towns and cities, and some rural areas.

Most antique dealers use online retail sites, for example eBay or Selling Antiques to buy and sell antiques and collectibles. Some people turn their collecting hobby into a full-time or part-time business.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Self-employed antique dealers generate opportunities through their own initiative and assessment of risk. Vacancies for assistants are advertised in local newspapers, in shops, in journals such as the Antiques Trade Gazette, on job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Entry routes and training

There is no formal route into this line of work. It is possible to become an antique dealer by applying directly to antique shops for vacancies as an assistant. Other dealers start in auction houses as saleroom assistants or porters. Some people start by collecting antiques as a hobby and increase their knowledge by reading books and visiting museums and stately homes.

Another entry route is to take a degree in a relevant subject such as fine art or history of art. A few colleges and universities offer courses and degrees in subjects such as antiques, including at postgraduate level.

Postgraduate and short courses are available from various organisations including the auction houses Sotheby’s Institute of Art and Christie’s, and the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA). BADA has a strict code of conduct for its members, offering consumer protection. The Association of Art and Antiques Dealers (LAPADA) also has a code of practice for dealers.

Antique dealers could progress by opening more shops or by dealing in higher value items with greater profits. Others might move into valuation or auctioneer careers.

Qualifications

There are no minimum qualifications required to become an antique dealer. Some employers prefer English and Maths at GCSE. Some people enter with A levels or equivalent, or with a higher education (HE) qualification such as a degree, foundation degree or HND. The usual requirements for entry to a relevant degree course are:

• Two to three A-levels.
• GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects.

Alternatives to A levels include:

• Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (for example, Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

A range of colleges and universities offer courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level to be studied via part time/flexible or distance learning.

Related careers

• Archivist
• Auctioneer
• Entrepreneur
• Museum / art gallery curator
• Museum/art gallery attendant
• Sales executive
• Valuer