12 Antique Styles Pennsylvania Collectors Are Rushing To Buy In 2025
From Lancaster farmhouses to Philly brownstones, one thing is for sure: Pennsylvanians know a good antique when they see one. And in 2025, the hunt is on!
We’re talking heirloom-quality pieces with deep roots, think folk art, shaker chairs, and early industrial finds that blend PA’s rich history with serious style.
Curious what’s flying off shelves from Pittsburgh to the Poconos? These are the 12 antique styles turning heads, drawing crowds, and making collectors say, “I gotta have that.”
1. Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art
Colorful roosters and geometric patterns aren’t just pretty decorations, they’re the hallmarks of authentic Pennsylvania Dutch folk art that’s flying off shelves. These designs tell stories of German settlers who brought their traditions to our rolling hills centuries ago.
Collectors particularly value hand-painted dower chests and birth certificates (fraktur) showing family lineages. My clients literally gasp when they discover these pieces still have original paint!
The market value has jumped nearly 40% since last year, especially for items from Lancaster and Berks counties.
2. Chippendale Furniture From Philadelphia Workshops
Philadelphia Chippendale pieces showcase the absolute pinnacle of 18th-century American craftsmanship. Unlike their English cousins, these beauties feature more elaborate carvings and that distinctive ball-and-claw foot that makes my heart skip a beat.
Serious collectors hunt for pieces with provenance linking them to notable cabinetmakers like Thomas Affleck or Jonathan Gostelowe. The mahogany highboys and secretaries from this period command astronomical prices nowadays.
However, even smaller items like side chairs can fetch upwards of $20,000 if authenticity is confirmed.
3. Bucks County Impressionist Paintings
Landscapes that capture Pennsylvania’s soul through bold brushstrokes and dreamy light… That’s the Bucks County Impressionist movement in a nutshell.
Founded by Edward Redfield and Daniel Garber, this artists’ colony produced works that now serve as time capsules of our state’s pastoral beauty.
Winter scenes particularly command premium prices, with snow-covered Delaware River landscapes being the holy grail. Several of my clients have built entire rooms around these atmospheric paintings.
Museums are actively acquiring these works too, making private collection pieces increasingly rare and valuable.
4. Conestoga Wagons And Farm Implements
Nothing screams Pennsylvania heritage quite like authentic Conestoga wagon parts or early farming tools. These massive freight haulers, built by skilled German craftsmen in Lancaster County, literally carried America westward before railroads existed.
Complete wagons almost never appear on the market anymore. Smart collectors focus instead on authentic components, wooden wheels, toolboxes, or branded hardware.
Likewise, handcrafted 18th-century farm implements from Pennsylvania German settlements command surprising prices. Especially pieces with maker’s marks or original paint.
5. Lehigh Valley Cast Iron Stoves
Cast iron stoves from Pennsylvania’s industrial heyday aren’t just heating up homes, they’re heating up the antique market too! Bethlehem and Allentown foundries produced some of America’s most elaborate heating stoves during the 19th century.
Collectors particularly covet the ornate parlor stoves with nickel-plated trim and decorative reliefs. Though massive and heavy, these functional sculptures serve as striking focal points in modern homes.
Values have doubled over the past five years. Complete examples with original finials and decorative elements, particularly from manufacturers like Thomas, Roberts & Company, are seeing the biggest gains.
6. York County Schranks And Corner Cupboards
Ever tried fitting a schrank through a modern doorway? Spoiler alert: it’s like wrestling a barn. But these towering storage beasts from York County workshops aren’t just heavy, they’re heavy on history, too. Representing Pennsylvania German furniture at its most impressive, they often reach the ceiling. Flaunting intricate moldings, inlay work, and the kind of rural craftsmanship will make you do a double take.
The real treasures still have their original finishes, whether it’s hand-painted folk art or that perfectly aged wood patina. Some even come with secret compartments (because of course they do).
Serious collectors know that provenance is everything. If it’s from a known cabinetmaker, don’t be shocked if it fetches $50,000 or more. Just make sure your floors can handle it.
7. Reading Clocks And Tall Case Timepieces
Tick-tock goes the auction block! Reading-made tall case clocks represent the perfect marriage of technical precision and artistic woodworking.
These magnificent timepieces often stand over seven feet tall, crowned with distinctive bonnet tops unique to Pennsylvania makers.
Daniel Rose clocks remain the gold standard, with their hand-painted moon phases and intricate brass movements. Even lesser-known clockmakers from Berks County command serious attention when their works surface.
Smart collectors examine both the case and the movement, as marriages (movements paired with non-original cases) significantly reduce value.
8. Mercer Tiles From Doylestown
Henry Mercer’s tiles aren’t just decorative ceramics, they’re little rectangular time machines! Made in Doylestown, these Arts and Crafts tiles showcase Pennsylvania history, folklore, and daily life in detailed relief designs.
While architectural installations remain permanently attached to historic buildings, individual tiles occasionally surface at estate sales. The most prized examples feature unusual subjects or rare glazes in blues and greens.
Savvy collectors also seek Mercer’s documentary tiles showing traditional crafts and occupations. After all, who wouldn’t want a historic blacksmith or broom maker sparking conversation in their living room?
9. Pittsburgh Glass From The 19th Century
Forget diamonds, Pittsburgh glass sparkles with history and craftsmanship that modern manufacturing simply can’t replicate. The city’s glassworks dominated American production during the 1800s, creating pieces that now command astronomical prices.
Look for the distinctive cobalt blue pieces from the Bakewell factory or the brilliant cut glass from O’Hara works. My clients often display these treasures where sunlight can dance through them, creating rainbows across their dining rooms.
Everything from pressed glass salt dishes to elaborate cut-glass punch bowls is being snapped up by those in the know.
10. Susquehanna Valley Decorated Stoneware
Local potters created these salt-glazed vessels with distinctive cobalt decorations, birds, flowers, and abstract designs applied freehand with remarkable confidence.
Collectors particularly treasure pieces signed by known potters like Cowden & Wilcox of Harrisburg. The most valuable examples feature elaborate scenes or unusual forms beyond standard crocks and jugs.
Even damaged pieces command strong prices when the decoration remains vivid and the provenance is solid.
11. Chester County Spice Cabinets
Miniature architectural wonders, that’s the best way to describe Chester County spice cabinets! These miniature masterpieces highlight Pennsylvania cabinetmaking with tiny drawers and hidden compartments.
The finest examples feature figured walnut, dovetailed construction, and original brass hardware. Some even contain hidden drawers activated by special mechanisms that still function perfectly after 200+ years.
Values have skyrocketed recently, with authenticated 18th-century examples from known makers fetching well into six figures at specialized auctions.
12. Wilkes-Barre Coal Scrip Tokens
Ever wonder what miners used for currency back in the day? In Wilkes-Barre, small metal tokens once passed from hand to hand as payment for hard work underground. And today, they’re prized treasures for collectors hungry for a piece of Pennsylvania’s industrial story.
Each token proudly bears the name of a mining company, turning it into a mini time capsule that connects you directly to the mining towns of the early 20th century. It’s not just about rarity, these tokens hold real stories.
Holding one of these tokens is like holding a slice of history in your palm, ready to spark conversations and fuel your curiosity about the past. Who knew a tiny piece of metal could carry so much meaning?
