Iconic Collectibles: What's Trending in the Antiques World?

In the capricious realm of the antiques market, taste is a tide—ebbing and surging in mysterious patterns, shaped by global events, aesthetic nostalgia, and the discerning gaze of collectors. As connoisseurs of the rare and the remarkable, we at Moon Rabbit Art have our eyes and ears attuned to the murmurs of auction rooms, the whispers of private sales, and the quiet revelations of estate collections.

Today, we offer you a curated journey through the most compelling trends shaping the art and antiques world in this season of collecting—a moment both reflective and forward-looking, illuminated by recent auction results that confirm our observations.

1. The Return of the Romantic: 19th-Century Sentimentality Revisited

Once relegated to the dusty parlours of memory, Victorian and early Romantic-era objets d'art are enjoying a luminous revival. Mourning jewellery, silhouette portraits, and sentimental miniatures are fetching surprising prices at boutique auctions and online platforms alike.

Recent Market Evidence: Coalport Imari, which is deeply colorful and rich in history, is expected to surge in popularity in the coming year, with 19th-century examples commanding premium prices. A particularly striking example emerged in recent auctions where a Victorian mourning locket containing intricately woven hair achieved triple its estimate, demonstrating the market's renewed appetite for objects of personal significance.

This resurgence is not mere fashion—it reflects a wider cultural longing for narrative, emotion, and craftsmanship. In a digitised world, the finely woven hair in a locket or a hand-painted porcelain token speaks volumes of intimacy and the passage of time. The trend extends beyond jewellery to encompass mourning photography, memorial samplers, and other tokens of 19th-century emotional expression.

2. Japonisme and the Allure of the East

The fascination with East Asian decorative arts—particularly Meiji-era bronzes, cloisonné, and export lacquerware—has returned with renewed vigour. Collectors from Europe and North America are once again drawn to the technical virtuosity and poetic minimalism of Japanese craftsmanship.

Auction Spotlight: Major auction houses have reported consistent strong performance in Japanese decorative arts throughout 2024 and early 2025. A remarkable Meiji-period bronze vase with silver and gold inlay recently sold for well above estimate at a London auction, while a collection of late 19th-century cloisonné achieved remarkable prices across multiple lots.

We note that items blending East and West—such as 19th-century Japonisme furniture or Anglo-Japanese silver—are especially prized. The cross-cultural aesthetic, when genuine, is achieving significant market traction. Christopher Dresser designs, in particular, continue to command extraordinary prices, with a recent silver teapot achieving record results at auction.

3. Mid-Century Modern: From Mainstream to Monumental

What was once the darling of stylish apartments has evolved into a blue-chip collectible category. The clean lines of Scandinavian teak, the playfulness of Italian lighting design, and the brutal elegance of post-war ceramics now command prices rivalling older forms.

Market Analysis: Fine art, including Impressionist and mid-century Modern art, continue to be prominent at major auction houses. Recent sales have seen exceptional results for authentic pieces by masters of the movement. A Finn Juhl teak dining suite recently achieved six figures at auction, while original Arne Jacobsen chairs continue to appreciate steadily.

However, the market is maturing. Authenticity and provenance are being scrutinised more rigorously than ever. Signed pieces, limited editions, and known designer workshops—such as Prouvé, Ponti, or Juhl—are seeing strong appreciation. The market has also become increasingly discerning about condition, with restored pieces commanding significantly lower prices than original examples.

Notable Recent Sales:

• A pair of Hans Wegner "Ox" chairs sold for remarkable sums at both Christie's and Sotheby's

• Italian glass by Venini and Barovier & Toso continues to achieve record prices

• George Nelson designs, particularly rare prototypes, are commanding exceptional premiums

4. The Rise of Curiosity Cabinets: Wunderkammer Reimagined

In a delightful twist of irony, the 21st-century collector has embraced the 16th-century cabinet of curiosities. Fossilised creatures, taxidermy, ethnographic items, and peculiar instruments—once relegated to academic obscurity—are now displayed with theatrical flair in contemporary homes.

Contemporary Market Activity: Scientific instruments have performed particularly well at recent auctions. A collection of Victorian microscopes and optical devices achieved strong results at a London auction house, while natural history specimens continue to find eager buyers. However, collectors are increasingly conscious of ethical provenance, particularly regarding ethnographic materials and specimens.

The trend is not mere eccentricity; it is driven by a thirst for tactile knowledge and the poetics of the strange. Auction houses report a spike in interest for Victorian scientific instruments, natural specimens under glass, and tribal objects with strong provenance.

5. Women Artists and Forgotten Voices

There is a profound and long-overdue shift in the spotlight. Works by women artists, artisans, and anonymous creators—particularly in textile arts, miniatures, or folk traditions—are being re-examined and revalued.

Market Transformation: Recent auction results demonstrate this shift dramatically. Works by previously overlooked women artists are achieving prices that would have been unthinkable even five years ago. Textile arts, long undervalued, are seeing particular appreciation, with quilts, samplers, and decorative needlework commanding serious collector attention.

Collectors are seeking not only beauty but justice: acquiring works that challenge the historical canon. Pieces that once languished in attic trunks are now being interpreted with scholarly care and given their due place in the collector's cabinet. This trend extends beyond fine art to encompass decorative arts, folk art, and vernacular objects created by women throughout history.

Predictions: A Glimpse into the Crystal Sphere

Looking ahead, we anticipate the following developments based on current market indicators and expert analysis:

• Eco-conscious collecting will favour repairable, sustainable antiques over new luxury goods. Antiques handmade using centuries-old techniques are expected to see increased demand.

• Digital provenance tools, including blockchain certificates, will gain traction in high-end transactions, with major auction houses already experimenting with digital authentication methods.

• Outsider art and self-taught creators—particularly from non-Western cultures—will command increasing interest among younger collectors, as evidenced by recent strong results in this category.

• Regional specialities are gaining recognition, with pieces reflecting specific geographic traditions achieving premium prices as collectors seek authentic cultural expressions.

Recent Auction House Highlights

Sotheby's & Christie's Performance: Auction houses achieved solid, if not spectacular, sales in recent major sales, indicating market stability despite global economic uncertainties. The antiques and decorative arts categories have shown particular resilience.

Emerging Trends from the Salesroom:

• Coalport porcelain experiencing renewed interest

• Folk art achieving unprecedented prices

• Scandinavian design continuing its strong performance

• Natural history specimens finding new audiences

A Final Reflection

The antique is never merely old. It is an object saturated with time, carrying whispers from other hands, other rooms, other worlds. The present market, with all its volatility and surprises, reminds us that collecting is not only an act of possession—but of cultural stewardship, aesthetic judgment, and often, deep emotional resonance.

Recent auction results confirm that quality, authenticity, and provenance remain the trinity of successful collecting. Whether it's a Victorian mourning brooch achieving multiples of its estimate or a mid-century modern chair setting new records, the market rewards objects that combine historical significance with aesthetic merit.

At Moon Rabbit Art, we remain devoted to guiding collectors through this intricate dance of rarity and value, myth and materiality. Our deep connections with auction houses, private dealers, and collectors worldwide ensure that we remain at the forefront of market trends and opportunities.

Let us appraise not only the object, but the meaning it brings—and the market forces that shape its contemporary value.

For those seeking to participate in these exciting market trends, we offer comprehensive consultation services, including market analysis, authentication, and acquisition guidance. Contact Moon Rabbit Art to discuss how these emerging trends might enhance your collection.