I am a
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Antique dealer

Antique dealers buy and sell old objects and collector items.

Average annual salary

Variable

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Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • working towards this role
  • turning a hobby into a job

University

You could study for a degree in fine arts or art history, although this is not always essential.

Entry requirements:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You may be able to start by taking part-time or short residential courses to build up your knowledge.

Courses include:

  • antiques
  • history of art
  • fine art
  • decorative arts

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Work

You could work in an antiques shop as an assistant to learn on the job.

You could also start in a salesroom or auction house as a porter, clerk, cataloguer, valuer or auctioneer.

OtherRoutes

You could collect and research antiques as a hobby and then:

  • get a stall at an antiques market or fair
  • buy and sell on the internet
  • open a shop

Some of the larger auction houses, like Sotheby's Institute of Art and Christie's Education , run short courses in art history and the arts market. They also offer more in-depth postgraduate study aimed at graduates wanting to work in the commercial arts market.

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Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • persuading and negotiating skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to work well with others
  • business management skills
  • maths knowledge
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • active listening skills
  • knowledge of English language
  • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
  • the ability to learn through your work
  • the ability to read English
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • concentration skills
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What you'll do:

Antique dealers buy and sell old objects and collector items.

As part of your day-to-day work, you could:

  • buy items from salesrooms, auctions, markets and private owners
  • sell items to the public from shops or from stalls in antique centres
  • negotiate purchases and sales
  • buy and sell items online
  • carry out minor restoration work
  • research the identity and value of objects
  • value antique objects for insurance or sales purposes

Location : You could work at antiques fairs, at a store or from home.

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Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

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Working hours:

39 - 41 hours variable

Working Pattern is freelance / self-employed away from home

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Career Path:

You could progress to become a specialist dealer, valuer or auctioneer.

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