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American Furniture Consignment
When you are ready to sell antique furniture, Sotheby’s can help you realise the highest price. The value of your Colonial, Pilgrim, Chippendale or Federal period American antiques can be pleasantly unexpected, and that’s the excitement of auction.
Sales of American antique furniture happen every year in New York during the January Americana Week. For 20 of the past 25 years, Sotheby's has achieved the highest annual sale total for Americana Week sales. As noted by the Maine Antiques Digest, "For more than 40 years, Sotheby's Americana sales have been the barometer of the market." Americana Week in January 2018 achieved $13.9 million in sales with nearly 1,000 lots sold.
In 2019, an exceptional Samuel Whitehorne mahogany chest of drawers, estimated at $150,000 to $300,000 USD, realised $543,000 USD at auction. If you are considering selling antique furniture, rare American furniture or decorative arts, Sotheby's specialists are available to help you understand the value and sale potential of a table, chair, desk, chest of drawers, high boy, low boy, clock or other fine pieces. To request a free estimate, simply submit images and information of your furniture through our easy-to-use online form. Our team of specialists will review your submission and issue preliminary estimates for items that can be included in our sales.
Find Out the Value of Your American Furniture
Submit photos and information about your American furniture and begin your complimentary estimate request.
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American Furniture Consigned with Sotheby's
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to sell my antique American furniture?Throughout the year, our specialists review, appraise, catalogue and sell American furniture in live sales, online auctions and private sales. If you are wondering where to sell antique furniture or how to sell antique furniture, Sotheby's specialists are available to help you through the process. Submit your furniture online to start a conversation with your dedicated specialist. Sotheby’s American Furniture, Decorative Art & Folk Art auctions take place in January and September in New York.
- Is my American furniture valuable enough for a Sotheby's sale?Sotheby's offers many ways to sell American furniture. Our marquee Americana sales in January feature some of the rarest and most expensive pieces of American furniture on the market, as well as other important and fine pieces of American furniture ranging from the 16th to the 19th century.
- Why is antique furniture from Philadelphia so valuable?The most expensive pieces of American antique furniture are often from Philadelphia. A thriving port and the largest colonial city by 1750, Philadelphia was a trading center with easy access to some of the finest imported hardwoods, such as mahogany. The city’s native forests also supplied resources for secondary woods. Craftsmen such as Hercules Courtenay, John Pollard, Thomas Affleck, Nicholas Bernard and Martin Jugiez contributed to Philadelphia furniture's reputation for fine carving, quality woods and expert craftsmanship.
- What are the best-selling types of American furniture?Sotheby’s American Furniture Department specialises in American furniture, antiques and decorative arts from 1650 to 1830, with an emphasis on premier examples from Philadelphia, New York, throughout New England and, increasingly, the South. All types of high-quality American furniture, from formal to folk furniture, are offered each season. Top-selling pieces in recent years have been Rhode Island mahogany carved furniture, such as the Nicholas Brown tea table that sold at Sotheby's for $912,000 in 2017, and the Queen Anne block-and-shell kneehole bureau table that sold for $672,500 in 2017. For complimentary antique furniture appraisal, request a free estimate.
- How do I ship my furniture to Sotheby's?Once our specialists have provided you with an auction estimate and a sale recommendation, they will be able to provide shipping quotes and logistical support. Sotheby’s works with the top white-glove shipping companies across the globe who will be able to safely package and transport even the most fragile antiques.
More information on how to sell with Sotheby's
Sotheby’s is your best resource to buy, consign and sell antique American furniture including Federalist, Colonial, Pilgrim, Queen Anne, Chippendale, William & Mary collectibles such as a candlestand, highboy, lowboy, chest-on-chest, side chair, dining chair, bed, Windsor armchair, armchair, drop-leaf table, blanket chest, gate-leg table, clock, grandfather clock, side table, bookcase, cupboard, kneehole dressing table, games table, desk and bookcase, pembroke table, sofa, chest of drawers, tilt-top table from Philadelphia, New York, New England and the South and mid century modern furniture. Sotheby's also offers decorative objects such as an American lantern, chandelier, mirror, brass, pewter, candlesticks, needlework picture, schoolgirl sampler, ship model, pricket candlesticks, miniature furniture, fire tools, andirons and other rare objects.