Used antiques in the UAE typically sell for AED 125 to AED 2,950 (about $34 to $810). Antique values swing on maker, period and condition, and the market has shifted so that some categories are worth far less than they were.
What antiques are worth in the UAE
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | AED 2,966 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | AED 2,521 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | AED 1,928 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | AED 1,335 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | AED 741 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Categories currently in demand rather than out of fashion
- Matched sets and complete pieces
What pulls it down
- Over-restoration, which removes original surface
- Damage that requires specialist restoration
Selling antiques in the UAE
Bank transfer and cash on collection are both normal. Confirm funds have cleared before handing anything over.
The UAE has an unusually active second-hand market driven by how often people arrive and leave — relocation sales mean good-quality items turn over quickly and often at well below their age.
Domestic courier coverage is quick and cheap by international standards, and most of the population is within a short drive of everyone else.
Turnover peaks around the summer, when a large share of relocations happen and whole households are sold at once.
Working out what yours is worth
- Note the dimensions, materials and any repairs
- Compare against recent sold results, not old valuations
Getting it ready
- Look for maker’s marks, stamps, labels or signatures, and photograph every one you find.
- Measure the piece and note the materials, and look for signs of age such as hand-cut joints or irregular wear.
Photograph
- Every maker’s mark, stamp or label, close and legible
- The construction detail — joints, screws, underside — that indicates age
- All damage, repairs and areas of wear
Put in the description
- Approximate period or date, and what that estimate is based on
- Materials, dimensions and weight
- Condition including all damage, repairs, replacements and restoration
Fragile and often heavy. Pack generously and photograph the item before sealing. For larger pieces, collection is usual and lets the buyer inspect properly.
Steady with a specialist buyer base. Well-documented pieces with clear marks sell within weeks; unmarked items take longer and sell on appearance.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the AED 2,966 a buyer pays is the AED 2,966 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United Arab Emirates with their own page for antiques.
- Selling antiques in Dubai
- Selling antiques in Sharjah
- Selling antiques in Abu Dhabi
- Selling antiques in Al Ain
- Selling antiques in Ajman
Common questions
Where can I sell antiques in the UAE?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Bank transfer and cash on collection are both normal. Confirm funds have cleared before handing anything over.
Has it been restored?
Disclose any repair, replacement part or refinishing you know of. Collectors value original condition and detect restoration easily.
Are antiques still worth what they were?
Not uniformly. Some categories have fallen considerably while others hold firm, so check recent sold results rather than older valuations.
Does restoration increase value?
Often the opposite. Over-restoration strips original surface, which is much of what collectors pay for. Get advice before refinishing.
More: how to sell antiques, what antiques are worth, or Art & Collectables across the United Arab Emirates.