Before clearing a family home, have the contents assessed by people who know what they are looking at.
Moonee Ponds Antiques is a second-generation Melbourne family business with more than 40 years of experience buying and selling antiques, vintage pieces, artwork, jewellery and collectables. We regularly assist families who are managing deceased estates, estate clearances, downsizing, relocating or dealing with a larger household of contents.
When a home contains a lifetime of possessions, it is not always obvious what has value. An item can look old, unfashionable or insignificant and still be of interest to collectors or the antique market. Our experience allows us to look beyond the obvious pieces and identify items that may be worth considering before anything is donated, discarded or removed.
Why Contact an Antique Dealer Before an Estate Clearance?
A clearance or removal company is primarily there to empty a property. Our role is different. We look at the contents as antique dealers and buyers first.
Over more than four decades in the antique trade, our family has handled an enormous range of furniture, art, jewellery, silver, ceramics, clocks, decorative objects and collectables. That practical, hands-on experience can be particularly useful when an executor or family member is faced with an entire home and is unsure where to begin.
Coming to us first may help prevent potentially saleable or collectable items from being overlooked simply because nobody recognised what they were.
Deceased Estate Buyers in Melbourne
We purchase selected antiques, vintage furniture, artwork, jewellery, silver and collectables directly from deceased estates where the contents are suitable for our business.
For larger estates, we can consider individual pieces, groups of items or larger quantities of household contents. The best first step is usually to send broad photographs of the rooms and general contents so we can assess whether an inspection or further review may be worthwhile.
We are based in Airport West and assess deceased-estate and downsizing enquiries from across Melbourne.
What We Can Assess and Purchase
We are interested in a broad range of quality antique, vintage and collectable items, including:
- Antique and vintage furniture
- Paintings, watercolours, prints and other artwork
- Gold, silver and jewellery
- Silverware and quality metalware
- Porcelain, pottery and ceramics
- Clocks and watches
- Mirrors and lighting
- Bronzes, sculptures and decorative objects
- Oriental and Asian antiques and collectables
- Military items and memorabilia
- Advertising, toys and unusual collectables
- Quality vintage furniture and decorator pieces
- Other interesting household items that may have collector or resale value
You do not need to know exactly what you have before contacting us. In many estate situations, that is precisely why our experience can be useful.
Deceased Estates
Sorting through a deceased estate can be emotional, time-consuming and overwhelming. Families are often trying to make decisions about hundreds of items while also dealing with solicitors, property sales and other estate matters.
We aim to make the contents side of the process easier. For larger estates, the best place to start is usually with general photographs of each room rather than individual close-ups of every object. This gives us a better understanding of the property and helps us identify areas or items that may warrant closer inspection.
Where the contents are suitable for us, we can discuss purchasing individual pieces, groups of items or larger quantities of household contents directly.
Downsizing, Retirement Living and Relocations
We also assist people who are downsizing from a larger family home, moving to a smaller property, relocating or helping parents reduce a lifetime of possessions.
Furniture and collections that suited a large home may no longer fit the next stage of life. Rather than immediately disposing of unwanted contents, we recommend having potentially valuable items assessed first. We can consider suitable antiques, vintage furniture, art, jewellery, silver and collectables for direct purchase.
How the Process Works
- Send us general photographs. Include photographs of the rooms and main contents, together with your suburb and contact details.
- We review the estate or collection. Our experienced team will determine whether the contents appear suitable for us and what the best next step may be.
- We may request more detail or arrange an inspection. For larger or more suitable estates, we can discuss viewing the contents in person.
- We make a dealer purchase offer for items we wish to buy. You are under no obligation to accept an offer.
- We arrange the next steps for purchased items. Depending on the estate and the items involved, we will discuss collection and practical arrangements with you.
Not Sure What Is Valuable? Photograph It Before You Clear It
One of the most common difficulties with estates is that families simply do not know which items are worth showing a specialist.
If you are unsure, take broad photographs of the rooms before clearing cupboards, sheds, cabinets or display areas. You do not need to clean, polish or research everything first. General photographs often allow us to quickly identify the items that deserve a closer look.
We would much rather tell you that something is not suitable for us than have an interesting item discarded before anyone with relevant experience has seen it.
A Family Antique Business With More Than 40 Years of Experience
Moonee Ponds Antiques has been buying and selling antiques in Melbourne for more than four decades. As a family-run business, our knowledge has been built through years of handling real objects every day - examining makers' marks, materials, construction, age, condition and changing collector demand.
That experience is the reason we believe families should consider speaking with an established antique dealer before an estate is simply cleared. We are not there just to remove contents. We are there to look carefully at what is in the home and identify the pieces that may still have a market.
Items We Generally Do Not Purchase
We generally do not purchase ordinary modern second-hand household goods, modern sofas and lounge suites, flat-pack furniture, mattresses and bedding, or heavily damaged furniture with little resale value.
However, if you are unsure, you are welcome to include those items in general room photographs. It helps us understand the property as a whole and identify anything else that may be of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you buy complete deceased estates?
We can consider individual items, groups of items and larger quantities of household contents depending on what is in the property, the location and whether the contents are suitable for our business. For a larger estate, start by sending general photographs of each room.
Do you provide estate clearance in Melbourne?
We assist with deceased estates and larger household contents by assessing and purchasing suitable antiques, vintage pieces, artwork, jewellery, silver and collectables. We are not a general rubbish-removal service, so the first step is to assess what is in the property and determine what we may be able to purchase or help with.
Do I need to know what the antiques are?
No. You do not need to identify, date or value the items before contacting us. Clear photographs are usually the best starting point.
Is your offer an independent valuation?
No. When we are interested in purchasing an item, we make a dealer purchase offer based on our assessment, expected resale market, condition and other factors. If an estate requires a formal independent valuation for probate, insurance or another purpose, that is a different service and should be arranged separately.
Should we clear unwanted items before sending photographs?
If possible, photograph the rooms first. This reduces the chance of something potentially interesting being discarded simply because it was not recognised.
Where are you based?
Moonee Ponds Antiques is based in Airport West, Melbourne. We assess estate and downsizing enquiries from across Melbourne, with the next step depending on the location and nature of the contents.
If jewellery, gold or silver form part of the estate, you can also see our Sell Jewellery, Gold & Silver Melbourne page.
Request an Estate or Downsizing Assessment
You do not need to identify or value everything yourself. Tell us a little about the property and the contents, then email broad photographs of each room so our experienced family team can advise what deserves a closer look.
Prefer email? You can send the same information and photographs directly to admin@mooneepondsantiques.com.au.