Beautiful items may trump rarity, expert suggests

Those looking to sell antique furniture or other items at auction might want to note an expert's suggestion that beautiful objects will be more valuable than those that are simply rare. A piece on Heraldnet.com suggested that unusual possessions do not necessarily accrue a high price at auction. The author highlighted the example of a cast-iron clock in a wooden hatchet shape that sold for $113 (£77), despite CopakeAuctions judging it to be worth $250.

"That's often what happens with unusual items at an auction,"the correspondent explained, adding that the clock "wasn't beautiful or terribly old. It's just very unusual". The remarks may intrigue those looking to offload their antique treasures this year, especially anyone in possession of unique and exciting objects. People with a passion for antique paintings, watches and clocks may already be aware that Fontaine's Auction Gallery in Massachusetts will put a number of these objects up for sale this month.