7 of the Most Underrated Antiques to Seek Out at Estate Sales 

You can feel the palpable energy growing as you approach the doorway of an estate sale. What beautiful treasures will you happen upon today? What pieces will you take home and enjoy for years to come? As you wind through estate sale hallways and thumb through cabinets and closets, keep an eye out for these underrated antiques that are always worth swooping up. 

Studio Pottery

A wide range of items are often overlooked at estate sales, but one that's routinely underrated is studio pottery. Many "Made in America" pottery items are sought after by collectors, as are European pieces. They're a beautiful way to add color or design to your space, notes Reyne Hirsch, antiques dealer and appraiser. 

Carlos Castellar, antiques collector and expert, puts studio pottery at the top of his must-buy list, too. "These are often found in groups, typically from the 1970s and 80s, and they tend to have more biomorphic or organic shapes, almost always signed and dated," Castellar says. "Look for potter marks or stamps on the bottom edge or the base. Sometimes the most unassuming earthy tones are the most valuable."

Handwoven Baskets

Your eyes may glaze over another basket (often seen as mere storage solutions), but handwoven pieces double as functional sculptures. “Baskets often capture hours of handwork, regional techniques, and materials you simply don't see anymore,” explains Bruce Littlefield, a vintage expert and author of Garage Sale America. “Designers use them everywhere from blanket corral to plant cachepot to just simple table art.” 

He recommends looking for natural patina (versus orange shellac), solid rims and handles, and a tight, even weave with no major breaks. 

Textile Art

Textile art, such as wall hangings and woven sculptures, is another underrated antique found at estate sales that people dismiss because they read as crafty instead of collectible. “In reality, many important artists have used this medium, such as Sheila Hicks, among others,” Castellar says. “They can also be made with a range of materials, such as jute and beads. Textile art is always worth a second look.”  

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Sterling Silver Flatware

With the price of silver on the rise, many odds and ends pieces can be purchased and resold for a tidy profit—or kept for yourself. Hirsch says, “What wouldn't trade for much before—single forks, spoons, or monogrammed items—now are desirable items due to their scrap value.” 

They're also a great way to dress up a table setting. Littlefield adds that some patterned pieces are particularly collectible. He says, “Look on the bottom for sterling or .925 stamps as well as for matching patterns.” 

Vintage Barware

From vintage cocktail shakers to ice buckets and glasses, vintage barware is a great find at estate sales. Hirsch says you can add them to your home or office bar, they come in fun shapes (like airplanes, penguins, buildings), and are small and easy to transport. 

She says, “These pieces can be found for a few dollars and are often in demand should you decide to sell them on marketplaces such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Just check for corrosion or dents and dings before buying.” 

Old Mirrors

When you're looking at an old mirror, don't be frightened by your morning, running-to-an-estate-sale reflection or a mirror's spots or "foxing" (a soft speckling that forms over the years). "That's exactly what gives it depth and character," Littlefield says. "An old mirror offers instant architectural interest, and reproductions can't fake it convincingly. Look for solid frame joints and know that if there's a gentle waviness in the glass, it's older." 

Folk Art

People often confuse "untrained" with "unimportant," and herein lies the reason folk art, outsider art, and even extraordinary children's art gets (regrettably) passed over at estate sales. 

“They don't look polished or academically correct, and that's exactly the point,” Littlefield says. “I'm looking for personality, originality, and emotional punch. One unforgettable painting can completely change a room. Look for pieces that feel personal, odd, expressive, or slightly mysterious.”