Antiques
Selling Antiques in Southern California
I Buy It buys Asian antiques, American antique furniture and clocks, ceramics, and signed or labeled period pieces. The single biggest factor in value is material and attribution together — a signed work in a desirable material like huanghuali or zitan sells for many times what an unmarked piece in ordinary wood will bring.
What we buy
- Chinese hardwood furniture, screens, ceramics, and hardstone
- American antique furniture and clocks
- Ceramics and decorative objects
- Signed or labeled period pieces
Past results include a signed Liu Yuchen Republic-period Chinese floor screen, sold for $200,000 in 2018; a Chinese hand mirror, sold for $25,000 in 2025; an R.J. Horner grandfather clock, sold for $23,000 in 2023; and a Chinese porcelain vase, sold for $10,000 in 2024. See recent results.
How to tell if it’s valuable
- It is a signed or attributed Asian work in a desirable material. Signed works, desirable hardwoods, original construction, and strong condition are key factors when evaluating Asian antiques.
- It carries a clear maker’s mark, signature, or period label. Clocks and furniture with maker identification sell more readily than unmarked pieces.
- The construction and surface are original. Hand-tool marks, original hardware, and natural patina are what you want to see.
- It has not been refinished or heavily repaired.
How to identify it
- Marks and signatures. Check the underside, inside drawers, the back of a screen, and the base of a ceramic. Look for a clear stamp, a signature, or a paper label.
- Material and joinery. Look at wood grain and feel the weight. Huanghuali and zitan are dense and sought after. Hand-cut joinery is preferred over machine-made.
- Ceramic base marks. Photograph the base straight-on. Six-character reign marks exist, but many are later marks of homage and do not prove age on their own.
- Clocks. Check the dial and movement for a maker’s name, a serial number, and the condition of the works.
What usually isn’t valuable
- Unmarked, mass-produced furniture and decorative objects. Resale is generally limited to local decorative demand.
- A “Made in China” mark or modern export-style construction can indicate a later piece, but materials, construction, form, and condition should be considered together before dating it.
- Heavily restored or poorly repaired items without documentation. Both reduce auction and buyer interest.
- Ordinary household goods are outside what we buy.
How to photograph it for an evaluation
- Full piece from several angles
- Close-up of any signature or maker’s mark
- Underside or reverse, showing joinery, labels, and construction
- Base of any ceramic, shot straight-on
- Clock dial, and the movement if you can access it
- Close-ups of any damage or repairs
- One shot with something for scale
Common questions
How do I know if my Chinese furniture is valuable?
Material matters most. Huanghuali and zitan are dense, heavy hardwoods, while ordinary later hardwood trades far below them.
My vase has a reign mark. Does that mean it’s old?
Not by itself. Many reign marks are later marks of homage, so a specialist review is needed before the mark can be treated as evidence of age.
Where do I look for a maker’s label?
Check the underside, inside drawers, the back panel of a screen, and the base of ceramics. Paper labels inside drawers or on the back are common on American furniture and clocks.
Should I have it restored first?
No. Original construction, original hardware, and natural patina are what buyers want. Later refinishing and heavy repair reduce interest. Send it as it is.
Is a “Made in China” mark a bad sign?
It can be a sign that a piece is later rather than period, but it is not enough by itself to date or evaluate the item. Materials, construction, form, and condition should be considered together.
Related: Fine Art, Designer & Mid-Century Furniture
Send photos through the form on our site, by email, or by text. We respond within 24 hours. We serve Southern California: Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County.
Have antiques?
Send photos of the piece and any marks or labels.