Antique Dealer Course

Lesson 1 • Key Players and Trade Channels

Maps the ecosystem of dealers, auction houses, fairs, and online platforms. Students understand how goods move through the trade and where value is created.

Lesson 2 • Professional Terminology and Etiquette

Introduces trade-specific language and professional conduct standards. Correct terminology builds credibility and prevents costly miscommunication.

Lesson 3 • History of the Antique Market

Traces the evolution of antique dealing from private cabinets of curiosity to global auction markets. Provides historical context that informs current market behaviour.

Lesson 1 • Textiles, Rugs, and Works on Paper

Examines fibre types, weaving structures, and printing techniques for dating and classifying textiles and paper-based works. Builds identification skills for fragile categories.

Lesson 2 • Furniture Identification Fundamentals

Covers period styles, construction methods, and regional variations in antique furniture. Connects visual analysis to dating and classification skills.

Lesson 3 • Ceramics, Glass, and Metalwork

Introduces identification markers for pottery, porcelain, glass, and metal objects. Students apply maker's marks, glaze analysis, and form recognition to classify items.

Lesson 4 • Maker's Marks and Hallmarks

Teaches systematic reading of stamps, signatures, and hallmarks across object categories. Accurate mark identification is foundational to authentication and valuation.

Lesson 1 • Writing Professional Condition Reports

Guides students through structuring, writing, and presenting condition reports for trade and insurance use. Accurate reports reduce disputes and support professional credibility.

Lesson 2 • Condition Grading Standards

Introduces standardised condition grading scales and the language used to describe damage, wear, and restoration. Consistent grading supports accurate pricing and buyer trust.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Authentication

Defines authentication as a multi-evidence process combining physical, historical, and documentary analysis. Establishes the standard of proof required for professional attribution.

Lesson 4 • Detecting Reproductions and Fakes

Identifies the physical and documentary signs of reproduction, forgery, and deliberate misrepresentation. Protects dealers from costly purchasing errors.

Lesson 1 • Primary and Secondary Research Sources

Maps the range of archival, photographic, and published sources used to trace ownership. Students build efficient research workflows using available resources.

Lesson 2 • Researching Wartime and Displaced Objects

Addresses the specialised research required for objects that may have changed hands during conflict periods. Introduces databases and protocols for identifying displaced cultural property.

Lesson 3 • Building and Presenting Provenance Files

Teaches the assembly, organisation, and presentation of provenance documentation for buyers, insurers, and institutions. Well-structured files increase buyer confidence and sale prices.

Lesson 1 • Producing Written Valuation Reports

Guides students through the format and content of professional valuation reports for insurance, estate, and sale purposes. Written reports formalise expertise and manage liability.

Lesson 2 • Factors That Determine Value

Identifies the core value drivers: rarity, condition, provenance, aesthetic appeal, and market demand. Provides a framework for systematic value assessment.

Lesson 3 • Valuation Methods and Contexts

Distinguishes retail replacement, fair market, and insurance valuation methods. Students select the appropriate method for each commercial or legal context.

Lesson 4 • Pricing for Retail and Trade Sales

Applies valuation knowledge to set retail prices, trade discounts, and negotiation margins. Balances profitability with market competitiveness.

Lesson 1 • Inventory Recording and Management

Introduces systems for cataloguing, tracking, and managing stock from acquisition to sale. Accurate inventory records support pricing, insurance, and tax compliance.

Lesson 2 • Sourcing Channels and Strategies

Maps the full range of sourcing channels from auctions and estates to private sellers and trade networks. Students develop a diversified sourcing strategy suited to their specialty.

Lesson 3 • Negotiation Techniques for Buyers

Develops practical negotiation skills for auction, trade, and private purchase contexts. Effective negotiation directly improves buying margins and stock quality.

Lesson 4 • Due Diligence Before Purchase

Establishes the pre-purchase checks required to verify authenticity, provenance, and legal title. Prevents costly errors and protects the dealer's reputation.

Lesson 1 • Understanding the Antique Buyer

Profiles collector, decorator, investor, and gift buyer motivations and decision-making processes. Understanding buyer psychology drives more effective sales conversations.

Lesson 2 • Marketing Strategies for Dealers

Introduces targeted marketing tactics including social media, email lists, and specialist publications. Consistent marketing builds brand recognition and repeat business.

Lesson 3 • Retail Display and Presentation

Covers principles of visual merchandising, lighting, and object staging for shop and fair environments. Effective presentation increases perceived value and dwell time.

Lesson 4 • Online Selling and Digital Presence

Teaches photography, listing writing, and platform management for online antique sales. Digital channels extend market reach beyond physical locations.

Lesson 1 • Cultural Property and Export Controls

Covers international frameworks governing the trade in cultural property and protected objects. Dealers must understand export licensing and import restrictions to trade legally.

Lesson 2 • Title, Ownership, and Stolen Property

Explains the legal concept of good title and the dealer's obligation to verify ownership before purchase or sale. Stolen property exposure is the most serious legal risk in the trade.

Lesson 3 • Anti-Money Laundering Obligations

Introduces the anti-money laundering obligations that apply to high-value art and antique dealers. Compliance requires customer due diligence, record-keeping, and suspicious activity reporting.

Lesson 4 • Consumer Protection and Trade Descriptions

Covers dealer obligations regarding accurate description, returns, and buyer rights in retail and online sales. Misrepresentation exposes dealers to legal claims and reputational damage.