Top 18 Antique Finds Illinois Collectors Are Chasing This Year
Treasure hunters across the Prairie State are on the lookout for unique pieces of history this year. Illinois antique collectors are scouring estate sales, auctions, and dusty barns for items that connect them to the past.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, these antique finds are creating quite a buzz in Illinois collecting circles.
1. Victorian Eastlake Furniture
Ever wondered why these geometric wooden beauties are causing such excitement? Victorian Eastlake pieces feature distinctive straight lines and geometric patterns that stand out from typical Victorian fussiness.
Collectors particularly value original finish examples with minimal restoration. The ornate detailing and sturdy construction make these pieces both beautiful and functional additions to modern homes.
Many Illinois collectors focus on locally-made pieces from Chicago or Rockford manufacturers, which often feature higher quality craftsmanship than mass-produced alternatives.
2. Art Deco Light Fixtures
Gleaming brass and frosted glass are illuminating Illinois collecting scenes! Art Deco fixtures from the 1920s-30s bring dramatic flair with their bold geometric designs and exotic motifs.
The hunt focuses on pieces from manufacturers like Lightolier and Virden that operated Midwest factories. Original wiring usually needs replacement, but savvy collectors know this doesn’t diminish value.
Ceiling fixtures with original glass shades command premium prices, especially those featuring stylized sunbursts or stepped designs so characteristic of this glamorous era.
3. Antique Apothecary Jars
Antique apothecary jars, with their timeless appeal, once lined the shelves of pharmacies and homes, holding remedies and secrets of the past. Made from glass and often adorned with detailed labels, these jars are a window into the history of medicine and health practices.
Their simple yet elegant design reflects the practicality and aesthetic sensibilities of bygone eras. Collectors find joy in the stories behind each jar, wondering about the potions and cures they once contained.
These vessels not only preserved herbs and chemicals but also a slice of history. As collectibles, apothecary jars are valued for their authenticity and the glimpse they offer into the evolution of healthcare.
4. Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Clean lines and organic curves make these 1950s-60s beauties irresistible to Illinois design enthusiasts! Danish-inspired pieces by Eames, Saarinen, or Wegner rank highest on collector wish lists.
Surprisingly, many treasures still hide in plain sight at estate sales throughout Chicago suburbs and university towns like Champaign-Urbana. The most desirable examples feature original upholstery and manufacturer labels.
Wooden chairs with patina from natural aging generally outvalue refinished pieces. Smart collectors check chair joints carefully, even the most stunning design loses appeal if it wobbles!
5. Depression Glassware
Sunlight streaming through these candy-colored treasures creates magical rainbows in Illinois collectors’ display cabinets! Pink, green, and amber pieces manufactured during the 1930s economic downturn remain especially sought-after.
Complete sets of matching patterns like Royal Lace or American Sweetheart command premium prices. Illinois collectors particularly prize pieces from the Jeannette Glass Company, which distributed widely throughout the Midwest.
Unusual serving pieces like butter dishes or covered candy bowls generally outvalue common plates or cups. The most passionate collectors can identify patterns at a glance without reference guides!
6. Antique Farm Tools
Weathered wooden handles tell stories of Illinois’s agricultural past that collectors just can’t resist! Hand-forged implements pre-dating 1900 top many rural collectors’ wish lists this year.
Tools with maker’s marks from Illinois blacksmiths or early manufacturing companies like John Deere (founded in Grand Detour, IL) command significant premiums. Many collectors focus on specific categories, corn harvesting tools, dairy equipment, or early planting implements.
Unusual specialized tools often generate more excitement than common items. The patina of honest use adds value rather than detracting from these functional pieces of history.
7. Sterling Silver Flatware Sets
Family dinner tables across Illinois shine with renewed brilliance as sterling silver makes a collecting comeback! Complete services for 8 or 12 in matched patterns generate fierce competition at estate sales.
Patterns by Gorham, Towle, and Reed & Barton from the 1890s-1950s lead the market. Serving pieces like gravy ladles, asparagus servers, or fish forks command disproportionately high prices due to their relative scarcity.
Illinois collectors increasingly appreciate the craftsmanship of hand-wrought pieces over machine-made examples. Monogrammed sets often sell at discount, creating opportunities for budget-conscious collectors with matching initials!
8. Vintage Porcelain Sinks
These charming vintage porcelain sinks are making a stylish comeback among Illinois collectors, especially those restoring early 20th-century homes. Highly sought-after models include pedestal sinks and wall-mounted designs from the 1920s to 1940s, often manufactured by companies like Standard Sanitary, Kohler, and Crane.
Collectors favor pieces with original hardware, stamped maker’s marks, and period-accurate faucets. Subtle crazing and minor surface wear are typically acceptable, while chips, cracks, or poorly matched reglazing can drastically reduce value.
White remains the most collectible color, but pastel hues like mint green and blush pink are gaining traction with buyers looking to add vintage flair to retro-inspired bathrooms.
9. Cast Iron Doorstops
Heavy metal never goes out of style with Illinois collectors hunting these whimsical home accessories! Animal figures, particularly dogs, cats, and birds, continue commanding the highest prices in the current market.
Doorstops manufactured by Hubley, Bradley & Hubbard, or Spencer between 1890-1940 top collector wish lists. Original paint significantly increases value, with collectors generally preferring untouched surfaces to modern repaints.
Architectural designs like baskets of flowers or urns remain popular with Prairie State collectors furnishing Victorian and Craftsman homes. Careful buyers inspect for hidden repairs, cast iron can crack and expert welds sometimes fool novice collectors.
10. Antique Mirrors With Ornate Frames
Ornate frames with intricate carvings and gilded finishes have made antique mirrors a must-have among Illinois collectors and interior stylists alike. Favored styles range from Baroque and Rococo to Victorian and Art Nouveau, often featuring rich detailing like scrolls, florals, and mythological figures.
Collectors prize mirrors with original silvered glass, especially those showing authentic signs of aging such as foxing or slight waviness. Frames made of carved wood, gesso, or cast brass tend to fetch the highest prices, particularly when untouched by modern restoration.
As demand grows, savvy buyers closely inspect for reproduction parts or overpainting, which can diminish historical and resale value.
11. Brass Candle Holders
Elegant and timeless, brass candle holders remain a favorite among Illinois collectors seeking classic home accents with historical charm. Popular examples range from Colonial and Federal styles to Art Deco designs, often featuring turned bases, intricate scrollwork, or figural motifs like griffins and cherubs.
Pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries are especially prized, particularly when they retain their original patina, a natural aged finish that collectors value over polished or lacquered surfaces. Pairs and sets tend to command higher prices, and early push-up mechanisms or stamped maker’s marks can significantly boost a holder’s desirability.
As with many antique metals, condition is key, and careful buyers watch for cracks, dents, or mismatched components that could affect authenticity and value.
12. Primitive Wooden Dough Bowls
Hand-carved depressions in these rustic treasures tell stories of countless loaves kneaded by Illinois pioneer women! Collectors seek examples showing authentic wear patterns from generations of use.
Bowls carved from single logs using traditional tools (rather than lathe-turned) command the highest prices. Size matters, unusually large examples over 30 inches or tiny personal-sized bowls under 12 inches generate premium bids at auctions.
Many Illinois collectors appreciate the connection to the state’s agricultural heritage that these utilitarian objects represent. The most desirable examples retain traces of original surface or old repairs that speak to their working history.
13. Antique Quilted Textiles
Stitches sewn by candlelight weave stories of Illinois pioneer life that modern collectors treasure! Handmade quilts from the 1850s-1920s, particularly those with documented Illinois origins, generate the most excitement.
Unusual patterns or color combinations command premium prices, with indigo blue and turkey red dyes especially prized. Collectors increasingly appreciate “make-do” quilts showing creative use of limited fabric resources over technically perfect examples.
Provenance matters enormously, quilts with documented family histories or regional significance can fetch multiples of similar anonymous examples. Condition concerns vary by age, with pre-Civil War examples granted more leeway than later pieces.
14. Marble-Top Washstands
Once a staple in 19th-century bedrooms and washrooms, marble-top washstands have become highly desirable among Illinois collectors and vintage home enthusiasts.
Typically crafted from rich woods like walnut, oak, or cherry, these pieces often feature ornate drawer pulls, beveled mirrors, and white or gray marble surfaces.
Victorian and Eastlake styles remain especially popular, with original hardware and undamaged marble significantly increasing a piece’s value. Collectors appreciate the versatility of these washstands, often repurposing them as vanities, side tables, or entryway accents.
Careful inspection is crucial, cracked marble, replaced legs, or refinished wood can affect both authenticity and price. Provenance and craftsmanship continue to drive demand, especially for washstands with regional or maker-specific significance.
15. Stoneware Crocks And Jugs
Gray and blue vessels that once preserved pioneer families’ winter food now preserve Illinois history in collectors’ cabinets! Items with cobalt blue decorations, particularly birds, flowers, or advertising, generate the most excitement.
Pieces marked by Illinois potters like Macomb, White Hall, or Peoria command significant premiums over similar unmarked examples. Size affects value surprisingly, one-gallon and massive 20+ gallon sizes often outvalue middle ranges due to relative scarcity.
Condition expectations remain strict, with hairline cracks significantly reducing value. The most passionate collectors focus on documented pieces from specific county potteries, creating hyper-local collecting specialties.
16. Oak Barrister Bookcases
Stacking glass-fronted treasures that once held legal tomes now protect modern collections in Illinois homes! Quarter-sawn oak examples from 1890-1915 by Globe Wernicke or Macey lead the market.
Original finish condition significantly impacts value, with most collectors preferring natural patina to refinished examples. Complete units with matching bases, tops, and consistent section heights command premium prices over mismatched assemblages.
Hardware condition matters, original brass fittings should move smoothly and show consistent patination. Many Illinois collectors focus on local cabinetmakers who produced similar styles, creating regional collecting specialties with strong historical connections.
17. Retro Kitchenware
Colorful cooking vessels that brightened mid-century Illinois kitchens now spice up modern collecting scenes! Pyrex mixing bowls in primary colors and Fire-King jade-ite dishes lead current trends.
Unusual patterns or promotional items distributed through Illinois grocery chains generate particular excitement. Condition standards remain strict, chips, cracks, or significant dishwasher fading dramatically reduce value.
Many collectors focus on complete sets rather than individual pieces. The most passionate enthusiasts recreate entire period kitchens using coordinated color schemes and patterns, turning collecting into immersive historical experiences.
18. Antique Oil Lamps
Flames that once illuminated Illinois prairie homesteads now cast warm glows in collectors’ display cabinets! Colored glass examples, particularly cranberry, cobalt blue, or emerald green, generate the most excitement.
Unusual mechanical features like figural bases or rare manufacturers’ marks can dramatically increase value. Condition matters enormously, matching chimneys and undamaged fonts significantly impact collectibility.
Many Illinois collectors focus on documented examples from local glass companies or those sold through regional merchants. The most enthusiastic collectors maintain their lamps in working condition, occasionally lighting them during power outages for authentic historical experiences.
