Antique Business Rome

Doing Business with Rome's Antique

Antique furniture and furnishings are much sought after, either to furnish an high class, elegant house or to bring a touch of class in an office. Italian artisans and craftsmen have produced many precious objects in many styles.
A savy entrepreneur can specialize his activity in the trade of Italian antiques, a field where extremely good taste, a certain savoir faire and keen sense for business are required.
Antique business in Rome: Antique dealers
Antique dealers are elegant modern treasure hunters. Antiquing, the act of shopping, identifying, negotiating, or bargaining for antiques is a form of art, a hobby for many and a lucrative business for few.
First and foremost, of course, whoever wants to launch a business in antique trading should know antiques. There are many resources, both online and offline, to form a body of knowledge on the subject, but nothing beats seeing the real stuff – also because only by seeing the real thing you’ll be able to recognize a fake. There are many fairs and trade shows dedicated to antiques in and around Rome. There you will be able to meet potential customer and sellers and see for yourself the best pieces of antiques. Visiting fairs and trade shows will also help you feel the pulse of the market and understand what pieces are going to be requested by the market in the next months.
Antique business in Rome: Antique stores in Rome
Fairs and trade show can be chaotic at times. So you should not focus only on those possibilities.
Rome is full of antique stores and second hand shops. Take your time to visit them: you will need several days to visit the most important and the most hidden ones and you will have to explore them, often looking for that rare gem that will sell so well on the international markets. Speaking with shop owners will open worlds before your eyes and give you precious insights and advices on how to conduct this business.
Even more chaotic than a trade show, at times frustrating, always fascinating is the flea market of Porta Portese. Every given Sunday authorized and improvised stalls line up and sell their stuff.
You can really find everything here: nowadays in Porta Portese you’ll meet every kind of seller, selling every kind of stuff, not only second hand goods dug up from some attic, old house or cellar.
But it’s still possible to find very valuable pieces of antiques. Just as for the antique shops, you must learn to know the best stalls, the more knowledgeable, expert and honest sellers and try to develop a personal relationship with them.
When you have found the right piece of antique, it’s time to strike a deal. Remember: there are many fakes on the market. Always investigate on the origin of every piece. When possible request a certificate of origin or every other kind of proof that can asses that the article is a genuine antique.
Try always to have an expert you trust with you when you inspect theantiques, in order to validate that they are originals and evaluate their state of preservation and correct pricing.
The trade and in some case even the ownership of some pieces may be restricted or even illegal in Italy. This is the case, for example very ancient coins collections and historical pieces (roman and pre roman era pieces). Italian law is very strict on the matter, so always get your information right before proceeding with a deal: you may find yourself breaking the law when trying to sell, or purchase an item.
Some pieces are subject to the payment of taxes and VAT when exported from Italy or imported to a foreign country, so ask to an expert about relevant fiscal rules and regulations. Looking for the assistance of an antique broker is a good idea.
If you feel ready to launch yourself in the antique trade business, is time to start antiquing.
Porta Portese market is held every Sunday morning in the streets lining behind the well known Viale Trastevere.
Some of the best antique shops are located in Via del Babuino, Via dei Giubbonari and Via dei Banchi Vecchi, all located within the historical centre of Rome.
Good hunt!

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