Whether her dwelling space feels like a time capsule devoted to generations past or she prefers mixing old pieces with new, Grandma’s house is one of our favorite places to spot antiques from across the decades. That’s especially true in the living room, where heirloom furniture, sentimental collectibles, and true they-don’t-make-’em-like-they-used-to knickknacks often take center stage. The next time you visit, take a closer look around—there may be a few things in Grandma’s living room that are worth more than you think. From classic furniture pieces to everyday objects that collectors love, these nine pieces might surprise you with their value.
Barrister Bookcase
Per John Sollo of Rago/LAMA/Toomey/Wright, the piece pictured above is one of Globe-Wernicke’s signature barrister bookcases. “Globe-Wernicke was an office furniture manufacturer in business from 1899 until the mid-1950s,” says John. “Most bookcases like [this one] were produced in the first quarter of the 20th century, and this oak example has an early label verifying that it is over 100 years old.” Patented as “elastic bookcases,” Globe-Wernicke’s barrister cases are modular—individual stackable sections connected with interlocking metal hardware. The company also patented its retractable glass fronts. Sollo notes that these bookcases are still very popular with collectors, and are typically worth $600 to $800 for a full set, or $100 to $200 per section.
Micro Mosaic Frames
Though the art form dates back to the Byzantine era, Italian micro mosaics—originally made from bits of opaque glass and, later, cut enamel—surged in popularity in the late 1800s in the form of small frames brought home as souvenirs from Grand Tour excursions by upper-class Europeans. Trending again thanks to current penchants for maximalist decor, frames from the late 1800s through the 1950s—usually no taller than three inches—fetch between $60 and $300, with more intricate designs, such as the horseshoe pictured here, commanding the highest prices. To determine authenticity, look for “Italy” or a maker’s initials stamped on the back.
Andirons
Andirons, also called “fire dogs,” got their start in ancient Greece. They are used to lift fire logs off the floor of a fireplace, thus allowing air to circulate and for a more efficient burn. Some 19th-century European finds garner thousands of dollars (the French roosters here were around $20,000!), while newer pairs can be less than $200.
Cuckoo Clocks
Born in the 1600s in the Black Forest region of Germany, cuckoo clocks push air through wooden whistles to produce the two-note call of the common European bird for which they are named. Most are fabricated in the Bahnhäusleuhr style or the more traditional Jagdstück style (shown here), which is marked by forest motifs. Trending again thanks to a revived interest in wooden accents, Jagdstücks from the 1960s and ’70s fetch from $100 for small pieces to $1,500 for larger varieties. Clocks with working top automatons are particularly coveted.
Bouillotte Lamps
Named after a 19th-century French card game, this lamp style—which includes two to four candelabra arms and a lacquered metal, or tole, shade—typically sat in the middle of a game table. The highly reflective interior of the shade augments illumination—necessary for gaming sessions lasting long into the night. Lamps of this style typically fetch $250 to $1,500 on the resale market.
George II Mirrors
Featuring an egg-and-dart border with rosettes in the corners, the circa-1750 mercury glass giltwood George II mirror hung above the mantel in this living room is in the manner of William Kent, an English architect, painter, and furniture designer. Similar styles can command thousands.
Wooden Checker Boards
Though gridded games date back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, the modern version of checkers, or draughts, is largely based on a French game called Fierges. With values stretching from $200 to several thousand depending on age, condition, and colors, hand-painted boards from the late 1800s through early 1900s work equally well on display or used for play. Pieces featuring blue and green colorways tend to fetch more than their black-and-red counterparts, as do double-sided boards and those with extended edges (center), which are meant to corral playing pieces.
Spool Tramp Art Furniture
Often produced during the Great Depression, when scraps of all sorts were put to use, tramp art endures as one of the most popular forms of American folk art. While collectors have traditionally prioritized picture frames and decorative boxes, side tables and shelving made from discarded thread spools are emerging as a designer-favored way to bring a touch of whimsy to a room. Accent pieces in this style typically run from $250 to $6,000, depending on condition and intricacy of design.
American Hooked Rugs
“Hooked rugs of this type were usually made from a ‘kit’ that included a printed burlap scrim and sometimes wool or cotton yarns,” says James Ffrench of Beauvais Carpets. “But often, only the burlap scrim was purchased and the hooker would use scrap materials they had on hand. Based on the pure folk art aspects of the piece pictured, I am fairly certain that the fabrics used to hook this design were household scraps being repurposed.” He notes that it is unusual that it appears to be dated, an uncommon practice, and that this was likely added by the crafter herself. Similar pieces can be worth $300 to $500.
