I’ve recently inherited several items from my Japanese grandmother and would like to sell some as there are too many of them.
FYI I live in Japan and speak Japanese but plan on going back home in a few years.
I was told we could have a professional come to the house and buy them all, which would be very practical but not so profitable.
The items include:
– Brand clothes, fur coats
– Lots of traditional and “European” style ceramics
– Lots of crystal glasses, vases, ashtrays
– Paintings, traditional Japanese arts
– Luxury bags, wallets
– old brand watches that may not work anymore
I would love to hear your thoughts and experience.
Thanks a lot.
5 comments
Random advice from someone who had inherited stuff in the past:
1. connect with all the relatives, close and distant, in case something is of sentimental value to someone
2. throw away boring things (not in good shape, mass produced, etc.)
3. pick out things that could be valuable, like painting, and get those appraised or post images somewhere to crowd-source appraisal, most will be worth very little, but maybe there’s something special
4. now it’s a trade-off between time and money, and generally speaking, if you have your life in order, you probably value your time more, but maybe you’re up for it / have some sense of duty, then
1. put all those things on mercari and see what happens, people buy all kinds of things there!
2. donate to your local charity/recycle shop, you know wan by an elderly person in your shopping street
3. dump whatever remains
This happened with my friend. A lady came out and helped list things online and took things to flea markets to sell. She lived at the house and earned a l stripend for her time. At the end they ended up with 8 million yen.
It might be worthwhile to take good, clear photos of the watches and ask online if any are particularly valuable (/r/watches or wherever).
Sorry for your loss 😢
What kinds of paintings/ art did you receive?
I’m always curious about antique Japanese art
If you see any bronze/wooden small display figurines send me a message. I’d be interested, think thinks you’d place in a Japanese alcove for new years display.