Antique Dealer

Tasks & duties

Antique dealers may do some or all of the following:

Specialisations

Antique dealers may specialise in areas such as:

• ceramics
• furniture
• clothing
• books
• jewellery
• art

They may also specialise in a certain period or style.

Skills & knowledge

Antique dealers need to have:

• knowledge of past trends and styles in art, design and manufacturing 
• knowledge of present buying trends and prices in antiques  
• skill in valuing antiques 
• knowledge of how to clean and care for antiques 
• skill in handling antiques that may be very old and brittle 
• display skills 
• negotiation skills
• good customer service and sales skills

Many dealers run their own businesses, so they need to have retail and small business skills.

Entry requirements

To become an antique dealer, you need a second-hand dealer's licence, which you can get through a District Court.

Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become an antique dealer, but subjects such as art, art history and history are useful.

Tertiary education

Courses in art and antiques are useful. However, most are only available in Britain and Europe, although some may be studied by correspondence.

Courses in small business management, jewellery-making and restoration are also useful.

Training on the job

Skills are learned on the job. Antique dealers need to keep up to date with information about art and antiques by reading, doing courses, and attending antique fairs and auctions.

Useful experience

Any experience working with antiques (selling or collecting), or knowledge of a specialist area of antiques is useful for antique dealers. Retail work selling furniture, jewellery or art is also helpful.

Related courses

Business Management
Sales
Valuation

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

Sponsors include

W. Holliday & Sons Ltd