The Appeal Of Antiques: So Much More Than The Money.

Introduction: Why Do People Spend So Much on Antiques?

Why do people spend thousands on antiques when they could buy something brand new for a fraction of the price?

It’s a question that’s always fascinated me. In this article, I want to explore why people buy antiques, what makes them so special, and why certain pieces can be so expensive. Is it just about age, or is there something deeper going on?

I recently gave a presentation on this very topic, and this particular section meant a lot to me—so I’ve chosen to share it here. Whether you’re a collector, a curious browser, or someone who’s inherited something old and meaningful, I hope this gives you a better understanding of the true value of antiques and the emotional reasons behind choosing something with history over something new.

Why don’t people just walk into a shop, pick up a brand-new vase—shiny, flawless, and affordable—and call it a day?

Antiques are, at best, second-hand—often passed down through generations. They carry marks, wear, and imperfections that come with age. But unlike something brand new and flawless, they tell a story. Each scratch, every faded corner, is a reminder that this object has lived a life—and sometimes, many lives before ours.

Antiques can be expensive—sometimes ten times the price of a brand-new equivalent from a supermarket. So why do we choose the older, often worn option over something new and cheaper?

I’ve thought about this a lot, and I believe the answer isn’t simple. It’s made up of many threads, all woven together. But I’ll start with the one I think matters most.

What Makes Antiques Special?

Let’s all picture a few different scenarios together. 

Antiques have souls.

Not in a haunted sense—but in a way that reflects life. Much like us, they are shaped by experiences. They carry meaning. And that meaning has the power to evoke powerful memories and emotions.

Maybe it takes you back to childhood—visiting your parents or grandparents’ home. The walk up the garden path, the smell of the house, the warmth of familiar faces. It’s not just a memory, it’s a feeling that lives inside a moment… and sometimes inside the objects that were part of it.

Or maybe it’s something as simple and comforting as sitting on your dad’s knee in a rocking chair. That chair might still exist. And every creak in the wood holds a layer of your story, quietly waiting to be remembered.

Or maybe it’s a beautiful crystal vase your mum used to keep on the dining table—always filled with flowers. The kind you were never allowed to touch, but always admired.

Even if these memories have faded over time, a single object can bring it all rushing back.

Suddenly, you’re flooded with the emotions, the warmth, the love, and the joy that once surrounded you. It only takes a glance—one connection to the past—and those long-forgotten moments come back to life.

How much would you value that object?
More than anything you could pick up from a shop shelf.

And maybe, for you, it’s not about a memory—it’s about a love for history and design.

Perhaps you’re drawn to the rustic charm of the Arts and Crafts movement or the bold, elegant lines of Art Deco. Or maybe it’s another distinct time in history—captured in the craftsmanship and style of a piece no longer made today.

These antiques are like time capsules—each one holding a little piece of the past that still speaks to us in the present.

Or maybe it’s the history behind the object that speaks to you—knowing it’s more than just an item; it’s part of something bigger.

I’ve personally owned a dumbwaiter that once belonged to the Crawshay family, who were instrumental in bringing the iron industry to Wales and built Cyfarthfa Castle in the 1820s in Merthyr Tydfil.

I’ve held a sterling silver ladle that came from a World War Two prisoner of war camp—a piece that was once stolen by the German army.

And I’ve collected miners’ lamps, carefully designed to save lives underground—each one a reminder of the real human stories behind the objects we often overlook.

Maybe that’s the pull for you. Not the item itself, but the significance it carries. The fact that you’re holding a genuine piece of history.

Maybe you want to be remembered.

Maybe it’s your heroic deeds—a moment in time where you proudly served your country. A row of medals that tell a story of courage, sacrifice, and honour.

Perhaps it’s not just about how you remember it, but how your family will remember you. Those medals, carefully kept, might one day be held by a grandchild who never met you—but still knows who you were because of them.

Sometimes, it’s objects like these that keep people alive in our thoughts long after they’re gone.

It could be a family heirloom—something you feel a deep responsibility to pass on.

Not just because it’s old or valuable, but because it holds the stories of those who came before you. Their faces, their lives, their legacy—all captured in something as simple as a photograph, a locket, or a worn leather-bound book.

These aren’t just possessions. They’re connections across generations.

Or maybe it’s just a simple piece of jewellery—a necklace, a ring, a charm—something small, yet priceless in meaning.

It might remind you of someone you’ve loved deeply. Someone who’s no longer here, or someone you’re quietly waiting to be reunited with one day.

And every time you hold it, or wear it, you feel that connection all over again.

Or maybe it’s a book that was read to you as a child—your favourite bedtime story, shared night after night.

You might still remember the way the pages felt, or how certain words were read with just the right voice. It’s more than a book—it’s a memory wrapped in comfort, safety, and love.

And even now, it still carries that feeling.

As you can see from the wide variety of examples, an antique can be anything—a chair, a medal, a book, a piece of jewellery—as long as it holds personal meaning to you.

Maybe you have your own reason, one I haven’t mentioned, for choosing a unique and irreplaceable antique over a mass-produced product from a supermarket shelf.

But let me ask you this:

Have you ever held an object in your hands and truly felt its weight—not just physically, but emotionally?
Felt the stories it carries? The history it’s seen? The lives it’s touched before it ever found its way to you?

That feeling… that’s its soul.

My Conclusion Is This

If an item holds emotional or historical importance, offers uniqueness, carries investment potential, or reflects a level of quality or style no longer found in today’s mass-produced world—
then it will always be sought after and deeply valued.

And I’d bet that almost everyone reading this has something in their home that fits that description—
an item they feel a real connection to.

So take a moment…

What is that item for you?
What does it mean to you?
What memories come flooding back when you think about it?

Now ask yourself this:
If that object matters to you, how will you make sure its story lives on?

If you’re lucky enough to have someone in mind to pass it on to, here’s what I suggest:

Sit them down. Tell them the story.
Tell them every little detail—leave nothing out.
Because once they understand what that object means to you—its history, its soul—it becomes more than just an old thing.

It becomes a treasured possession.
A connection to you.
And a piece of your life that lives on, long after you’ve moved on.