Antique dealer
Buy and sell beautiful old objects and furniture so that people can enjoy and re-use them.
About the job
What it's like
You would find beautiful old objects and furniture, buy them and then sell them to people who will enjoy and re-use them.
You'd identify potentially valuable items at sales, auctions, on the internet and in people's homes, judge their value and negotiate a price.
You'd find out more about the item or repair minor damage. You'd advertise it to collectors and members of the public, convincing someone to buy it at a higher price so that you make a profit.
You might work with a wide range of historical objects or specialise in a particular area that interests you, such as:
Jewellery
Glass
China
Furniture
Industrial items
Paintings
Toys
Books and records
Coins, stamps and old postcards
You would:
Buy items from salesrooms, auctions, markets, trade fairs and private owners
Sell items to the general public from a shops or a stall in antique centres
Negotiate purchases and sales
Buy and sell items online
Carry out minor restoration work
Research the identity and value of objects
Advise owners on the value of their antiques for sale or insurance
You could also work from home, buying and selling to suit customer orders.
Hours
You would not normally have set working times, and you may have to work long and unsocial hours, including weekends and evenings.
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Top skills
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It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- working with numbers
- researching
- networking
- verbal communication
- recalling
- attention to detail
- making decisions
- negotiating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Art and Design
Classical Studies
Skills for Work: Retailing
You do not need formal qualifications however a degree in a relevant subject such as Fine Art, History or History of Fine Art may be helpful.
To enter an relevant history-centred degree (SCFQ Level 9/10) requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers or a relevant HNC/HND. To enter a Fine Art Degree requires similar qualifications.
Once in work membership of the British Antique Dealers' Association (BADA) can be useful.
A Fine Art degree may require a portfolio of your work.
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