Antiques & Collectibles - The Trends For 2022

It's Monday once again which can mean only one thing... It's 'Blog Post Monday' time!

Last year I wrote a blog post looking at some potential trends within the antiques and collectibles market for that year.  It proved to be one of my top performing posts, so, with it being a new year, I thought I'd have a look at some potential trends for 2022.  After many hours of research, I think I've managed to come up with a few areas where I see growth continuing or potential for new upcoming trends. 

Of course, I'm not a professional trend forecaster, these are simply my own thoughts compiled from my own research, so please take from it what you will, but more importantly, please tell me in the comments below if you have your own predictions for the year ahead!

So, as always, get that kettle on and settle in for my top antique and collectible trends for 2022...

Photo by Sandra Platas Hernandez for Source Vintage 

Vintage Clothing

No doubt fuelled by the young environmentally conscious, sites such as Etsy, Vinted and Depop continue to report increased demand.  Generation Z have started snapping up cheaply priced one-off pieces as an alternative to buying new.  Pieces from the later periods of the 1980's, 90's and even the 00's (feeling old yet!!!) have become particularly popular.  Some are forecasting that by 2024, the vintage fashion industry will be worth as much as $64 billion...!! 

Victorian Jewellery

Antique jewellery is always in demand and it's the charm, uniqueness and sustainability of Victorian Jewellery that's pushing its desirability to new levels.  People are discovering that you can get a damn sight more for your money, while getting something very unique!

Mid-Century Modern

We've all witnessed it over the past few years.  Yes, the mid-century modern boom is set to continue for a while and we're not just talking furniture.  Almost anything related to this period is now of interest to collectors and dealers.  There are no signs of this slowing any time soon.

Vintage Rolex Watches

The vintage Rolex watch market continues to grow steadily, with models made during the last forty or fifty years in particular demand.  Rolex increased the prices of their watches last year and as such, the second-hand market has followed.  Imperfections that were once undesirable, for example, faded dials, have become sought after, as modern models don't suffer from this kind of wear.

Toys

People have been going crazy for old toys, especially online.  Interestingly, vintage board games are in high demand, with sales climbing significantly.  Of course, classics such as wind-up toys and dinky toys continue to do well, and there is increased demand for action figures and franchise-driven toys from the 1970s and 80s.

Chinese Silver

Over the last ten to twenty years, Chinese silver has become quite collectable, and the market continues to grow.  The preference of the majority of collectors based in mainland China appears to be the traditional motifs, with enamelled details and silver gilt also in favour.

Space-Related Collectibles

Most thought that space memorabilia would slow after the NASA moon landing commemoration last year.  However, sales remain strong, particularly with younger buyers, with some attributing this to fans of Elon Musk and his SpaceX project.  Some dealers and collectors are saying that the effects of restrictions around house clearances and car boot sales early on in the pandemic are now being felt, with new pieces becoming more difficult to find at reasonable prices.

Art Deco

Dealers have acknowledged that demand and prices for high-end Art Deco pieces has grown considerably, with sales of small items such as clocks, jewellery, lighting and decorative objects proving to be the biggest sellers.

Art and Sculptures

Dealers are reporting a huge increase in the amount of art being sold.  Interest in early twentieth-century pieces rose sharply, as did the prices, while brutalist mid-century metal sculptures also remain hot.  Replica pieces and pieces being made in-the-style-of are also selling well.

Automobilia / Petrolina

Sales of signage, oil cans, posters and emblems, well, anything related to the automotive world really, is selling well, particularly online.  The amount of car related TV shows on our screens at the moment continues to demonstrate just how popular this category is.

Lighting

While most areas of lighting continue to be popular, it's the Art Deco and mid-century examples which are proving to be the most desirable and in demand at the moment. 

Folk Art

Some dealers are suggesting that they've seen a steady increase in sales of Folk Art.  The theme for this coming year appears to be the mixing and matching of these pieces with modern or mid-century decor.  Competition between dealers for the best pieces is apparently hotting up, with prices expected to rise.

Vinyl Records

Vinyl records continue to find new fans, with some suggesting that classic albums and rare examples of original presses have been selling well.  Albums from the big names remain popular, but records by lesser known artists are also doing well.  Obviously, with this comes demand for old vintage stereos and receivers, which are apparently also selling well in a growing market.

So, there you have it, take from it what you will.  Let me know your predictions in the comments section below. 

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So, until next week, stay safe, keep buying those antiques and keep spreading that Source Vintage love!

Cheerio!

Stephen

Owner Source Vintage

Shop from Source Vintage here