BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
WAYNE
FOUNDER, ANTIQUES OF SUSSEX
30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE
CALL AOS FOR YOUR FREE OFFICE APPOINTMENT OR HOME VISIT
About Wayne - Founder of Antiques of Sussex
A Lifelong Passion for Antiques
My interest in antiques began when I was a young teenager, working weekends in an antique shop in the famous Lanes of Brighton and selling at Bermondsey market in London. I spent those early years watching, listening and learning, surrounded by paintings, antiques and all sorts of interesting pieces. I knew very quickly that this was something I genuinely loved.
I was fascinated not only by the objects themselves, but by the people and the trade around them. I enjoyed talking to customers, learning from experienced dealers and understanding why one painting or antique might be special while another wasn't.
More than 30 years later, that curiosity has never really left me. Countless pieces have passed through my hands and, although experience teaches you a great deal, one of the things I love about this trade is that you can never know everything. There is always something new to discover.
More Than 30 Years in a Changing Trade
The antiques trade today is very different from the one I first came to know.
Twenty-five or thirty years ago, the market for many traditional antiques was much stronger. Large pieces of furniture, grandfather clocks and other items that were once highly sought after can be considerably harder to sell today.
Over the years I've watched tastes change, markets change and the way people buy and sell change enormously. The internet has transformed the trade, and my own business has naturally evolved with it.
As more people began researching antiques, jewellery and precious metals online, it made sense for me to bring my experience into a more modern format. That evolution eventually led me to establish the Antiques of Sussex website, giving people an easier way to find me, understand what I buy and get in touch for advice or a valuation.
Today, much of my work is focused on gold, jewellery, silver, coins, watches and precious metals, where there continues to be strong demand. But my interest in traditional antiques has never disappeared.
I still enjoy visiting antique shops, fairs, auction houses and museums, and I still find myself stopping to admire the craftsmanship in an unusual piece, wondering who made it, how it was made and what history might sit behind it.
I genuinely hope that some traditional antiques that have fallen out of fashion will have their moment again. I'm always happy to look at interesting or unusual pieces, offer honest advice where I can and, if it's something I'd like to buy, make an offer
One Piece I Still Wish I'd Kept
Over more than 30 years, an extraordinary number of objects have passed through my hands. Some are inevitably more memorable than others.
One of them is the beautifully carved antique bear bench pictured on this website.
I sold it many years ago, but it is a piece I've never really forgotten. When you look closely at the carving and consider the amount of work and craftsmanship that went into making it, it's quite remarkable.
At the time, it was another interesting piece passing through the trade.
Today, I wish I'd kept it.
It's objects like this that remind me why I became interested in antiques in the first place. Behind a good antique there can be craftsmanship, history and a story that simply can't be recreated.
You Never Stop Learning
After more than 30 years in the trade, I have built up extensive knowledge across antiques, paintings, jewellery, gold, silver, coins, watches and many other areas.
But I would never claim to know everything.
In fact, one of the most important things this business has taught me is that you never stop learning.
There is always another maker, hallmark, technique, period or unusual object to discover. Experience also teaches you when something deserves a second look. An object can appear ordinary at first, but sometimes a small detail - the quality, construction, weight, hallmark, signature or craftsmanship - tells you there may be more to it.
I've learnt to trust that instinct, but also to check the facts.
And if I don't know enough about something to give someone a reliable opinion, I'll say so. I'd much rather be honest and investigate further than pretend to know something I don't.
The Best Part of What I Do
One of the things I enjoy most about visiting customers is that I don't always know what I'm going to find.
Sometimes I'll be shown an item that has been sitting in a drawer, cupboard or jewellery box for years because its owner assumed it wasn't particularly valuable.
Then I take a closer look.
Being able to tell someone that an item they thought had little value is actually worth considerably more than expected is still one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
For me, looking at an item isn't simply about putting a price on it. I want people to understand what they have and why it may have value.
A Modern Approach to an Old Trade
The antiques trade can sometimes have an old-fashioned reputation.
For somebody who doesn't know much about antiques, jewellery or precious metals, approaching a dealer can feel intimidating. You may have no idea what you own or what it is worth, and that can leave you wondering whether you're being given a fair opinion.
I don't think it needs to be that way.
I want Antiques of Sussex to offer a modern, straightforward and transparent way of doing business while retaining the knowledge and personal service that have always mattered in the antiques trade.
Whether I'm looking at antique jewellery, a collection of gold and silver, coins, watches or something completely unexpected, I'll explain what I can see and give you my opinion in plain English.
If you decide to sell and we agree a price, payment can be made immediately. If you decide you'd rather keep the item, that's absolutely fine too.
What I Buy
Today, I buy a wide range of valuable items, with particular interest in:
-
Gold and jewellery
-
Silver and silverware
-
Gold and silver coins
-
Sovereigns and bullion
-
Watches
-
Antique and vintage jewellery
-
Precious metals
-
Coins and medals
-
Selected antiques and collectables
With antiques in particular, value isn't always obvious. Age alone doesn't make something valuable, and an item shouldn't automatically be treated as scrap simply because it contains gold or silver. Where appropriate, I consider the item as a whole — its age, maker, condition, craftsmanship, rarity and potential collector interest — before deciding how I would value it.
Private Home Visits Across Sussex
I offer free private home visits across much of East and West Sussex and selected surrounding areas.
For many people, this is considerably easier than carrying jewellery, coins, silver or valuable antiques into a shop. It also means I can look at larger collections in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
If you prefer, private appointments can also be arranged at my Haywards Heath office.
Why Sell Directly to Antiques of Sussex?
Selling your unwanted or valuable items doesn't need to be complicated. I've tried to make the whole process as straightforward as possible.
There are no seller's auction commissions to deduct, no waiting for an auction date and no uncertainty about whether an item will sell on the day.
I'll examine your items, explain what I can see and, where I'm interested in buying them, make you a straightforward offer. If you're happy with the price and decide to sell, payment can be made immediately.
And please don't think you need to have a large collection before getting in touch. Whether you have an entire collection or just one piece, I'm always happy to hear from you.
Not Sure What You Have?
You don't need to know exactly what something is before contacting me.
In fact, that's often the reason people get in touch.
If you've found something interesting in a drawer, inherited jewellery, have old gold or silver you no longer wear, or simply have an object you're curious about, you're welcome to show it to me.
Even if it's just one piece, please get in touch. You can send photographs on WhatsApp for a free initial opinion, arrange a private home visit, or make an appointment to see me at my Haywards Heath office.
After more than 30 years, I still enjoy opening a box without knowing exactly what I'm going to find.
That's probably one of the reasons I've stayed passionate about this trade for so long.
WAYNE
FOUNDER, ANTIQUES OF SUSSEX
30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE
Read My Freshmill Interview
If you'd like to know a little more about me and the story behind Antiques of Sussex, you can also read my interview with Freshmill Offices: Freshmill Focus