Hughes Auctions

Online Furniture Auctions

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Furniture Auctions
Hughes Auctions stands as a trusted name in furniture auctions, liquidation, and appraisal services in Los Angeles and across California. For over four decades, our team of expert appraisers and auctioneers has been helping individuals, estates, and businesses maximize the value of their furniture and estates. We take pride in our specialized knowledge of antique and vintage furniture, period pieces, and designer collections. Whether you’re downsizing, managing an estate, or seeking the value of a cherished heirloom, our team brings unparalleled expertise to every auction. From Japanese antiques to Midcentury Modern classics, we’ve successfully auctioned thousands of furniture pieces to discerning collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Spanish Revival Sofa Couch
Spanish Revival Sofa Couch

Why Choose Hughes Auctions for Furniture Auctions in Los Angeles?

When it comes to auctioning valuable furniture in Los Angeles, experience and expertise make all the difference. Hughes Auctions brings over 45 years of specialized knowledge to every auction event, ensuring your furniture pieces receive the attention and valuation they deserve. Here’s why discerning sellers and eager buyers choose Hughes Auctions:

Unmatched Expertise: Our team includes appraisers with specialized knowledge in period furniture, antiques, and designer pieces from all eras. We recognize distinctive craftsmanship, rare woods, historical significance, and maker’s marks that others might miss - ensuring accurate valuations and descriptions that inspire confidence in buyers.

Extensive Buyer Network: Hughes Auctions maintains relationships with serious furniture collectors, interior designers, and dealers across Los Angeles, throughout California, and internationally. Our audience of qualified buyers ensures competitive bidding and optimal prices for even the most specialized furniture pieces.

Cutting-Edge Online Platform: Our seamless online auction platform allows bidders to participate from anywhere in the world, vastly expanding your potential market. High-quality photography, detailed condition reports, and provenance documentation create a transparent bidding environment that inspires confidence and competitive participation.

At Hughes Auctions, we understand that each furniture piece has its own story and potential value. Whether you’re selling a single antique armoire or liquidating an entire estate collection, our strategic marketing approach ensures your items reach the most appropriate and enthusiastic audience possible.
John Vesey Aluminum and Walnut Folding Stool

Furniture Liquidation Services

When faced with the need to quickly and efficiently liquidate furniture - whether due to estate settlements, downsizing, relocations, or business closures - Hughes Auctions offers comprehensive solutions designed to maximize returns while minimizing stress and uncertainty.

Our furniture liquidation services in Los Angeles provide a structured, professional approach to selling substantial furniture collections of all types and periods. From contemporary designer pieces to valuable antiques, our team handles the entire process with expertise and care:

Comprehensive Assessment: Our experienced appraisers conduct a thorough on-site evaluation of your furniture collection, identifying valuable pieces, understanding the scope of the liquidation, and developing a customized strategy that aligns with your timeline and financial objectives.

Strategic Planning: Based on your collection’s unique characteristics, we determine the optimal approach - whether through a dedicated furniture auction, integration into our regular auction calendar, or a specialized estate sale. Our goal is always to match your items with the most appropriate buyers.

Seamless Execution: Hughes Auctions manages every aspect of the liquidation process, from professional photography and catalog creation to marketing, auction execution, secure payment processing, and coordinated pickup or delivery arrangements.

We pride ourselves on our ability to handle both modern and antique furniture with equal expertise. Our team understands the distinctive market for contemporary designer pieces as well as period antiques, ensuring each item is positioned to attract its ideal buyer.
Eames Rope Edge Rocker Chair 1st Generation Yellow Fiberglass Shell w/ Original Rocker Base

Eames 1st Generation Fiberglass Shell Rocker

Circa 1950-1954, Made at the Zenith Plastics Factory in Gardena, California
For more than four decades, American designers Charles and Ray Eames shaped nearly every facet of American life through their architecture, furniture, textile designs, photography, and corporate design, pioneering the use of new materials and technologies that transformed how Americans furnished their homes.

Antique Furniture Auctions in Los Angeles

Hughes Auctions has established itself as a Los Angeles authority on antique furniture auctions, offering specialized expertise in evaluating, marketing, and selling rare and historical furniture pieces to discerning collectors worldwide.

Our dedicated team of antique furniture specialists brings decades of combined experience to each auction, ensuring that every piece - from Georgian sideboards to Art Deco vanities - receives the attention and market positioning it deserves. We understand the nuances that distinguish truly valuable antiques from reproduction pieces, including construction techniques, patination, materials, and provenance.
What sets our antique furniture auctions apart:
Specialized Knowledge: Our experts can identify and authenticate furniture from virtually every significant design period, from Renaissance to Midcentury Modern, with particular strength in Spanish Revival, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Danish Modern, and American Midcentury pieces.

Global Reach: While based in Los Angeles, our antique furniture auctions attract international attention through our sophisticated online bidding platform, connecting rare pieces with the most passionate collectors regardless of location. We offer in-house shipping and will coordinate freight shipping or crating when needed.

Comprehensive Documentation: We provide meticulous condition reports, detailed provenance research, and high-quality photography that allows potential buyers to bid with confidence, even on significant investment pieces.

Hughes Auctions has successfully handled numerous landmark antique furniture collections, including pieces by renowned designers and craftsmen such as Gustav Stickley, Hans Wegner, Charles and Ray Eames, Finn Juhl, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, and many others. Our specialized marketing ensures that each piece reaches the collectors and institutions most likely to value its historical and aesthetic significance.
Marlo Bartels Ceramic Tile, Grout, and Resin Whimsical 90s Postmodern Bench

Marlo Bartels

20th Century
Ceramic Tile, Grout, and Resin Whimsical Postmodern Bench

Paul McCobb

(1917-1969)
Planner Group Desk Chest Winchendon Furniture Company

Furniture Estate Auctions

Estate furniture auctions represent one of our core specialties at Hughes Auctions, where we excel in transforming complex, emotional situations into streamlined, profitable outcomes for heirs, executors, and trustees throughout Los Angeles and California.

The process of liquidating an entire home’s worth of furniture requires a delicate balance of efficiency, expertise, and sensitivity. Our comprehensive estate auction services address every aspect of this multifaceted process:

Initial Consultation: We begin with a thorough on-site assessment, working closely with executors or family members to understand the scope of the collection, identify potentially valuable pieces, and develop a tailored auction strategy.

Selective Curation: Not every piece in an estate warrants individual auction treatment. Our experts carefully identify which items should be featured as standalone lots and which might be more effectively grouped, ensuring the collection is presented in its most advantageous light.

Complete Inventory Management: We handle every logistical detail - from photographing and cataloging to secure storage of valuable pieces prior to auction - relieving executors and family members of these burdensome tasks during an already challenging time.

Our approach to estate furniture auctions has proven particularly successful for distinguished Los Angeles homes containing multiple generations of collections. We understand that estate settlements often operate under tight timelines and specific legal requirements. Our experienced team works efficiently within these constraints while never sacrificing the careful attention required to maximize returns.

Florence Knoll

(1917-2019)
A pioneering American architect and furniture designer, Knoll revolutionized corporate interiors and modernist design in the mid-20th century. As a principal of Knoll Associates, she created the concept of "total design" which integrated furniture, textiles, and interior spaces into cohesive environments characterized by clean lines, functionality, and elegant minimalism.

Valuation and Appraisal of Antique Furniture

Accurate, professional appraisal is the foundation of successful furniture auctions, and Hughes Auctions offers Los Angeles’ most comprehensive antique furniture appraisal services. Whether for auction valuation, insurance purposes, estate settlement, or simply to satisfy your curiosity about a cherished heirloom, our expert appraisers provide authoritative evaluations backed by decades of experience.

Our furniture appraisal process encompasses:

Comprehensive Examination: Our appraisers conduct a thorough physical examination of each piece, assessing construction methods, materials, condition, repairs, and alterations that impact value.

Market Context Analysis: Beyond the physical attributes, we evaluate each piece within its current market context, considering recent comparable sales, current collector interests, design trends, and provenance factors that might enhance value.

Documented Results: Each formal appraisal includes comprehensive documentation with detailed descriptions, condition notes, provenance information, and current market valuations - suitable for insurance, estate, or legal purposes.

The difference between an amateur assessment and a professional appraisal can mean thousands of dollars in realized value. Our team includes specialists certified by the International Society of Appraisers and who maintain current knowledge of market trends and valuation methodologies.

Whether appraising a single statement piece or an entire collection, Hughes Auctions provides the expert evaluation necessary to make informed decisions about insurance, sale, donation, or continued preservation of your antique furniture.

How to Participate in Furniture Auctions

Participating in Hughes Auctions’ furniture events—whether as a buyer or seller—is designed to be straightforward and rewarding. We’ve refined our processes to accommodate both experienced auction participants and newcomers to the exciting world of furniture auctions.

For Sellers:

  • Initial Consultation: Contact Hughes Auctions to discuss your furniture pieces and schedule a preliminary evaluation, either in-person or via high-quality photos.
  • Professional Appraisal: Our experts will evaluate your items, considering condition, provenance, rarity, and current market demand to determine auction potential.
  • Consignment Agreement: Once accepted for auction, we’ll establish high and low estimated, auction timing, and complete all necessary paperwork.
  • Preparation and Marketing: We handle all aspects of preparing your items for sale, including professional photography, detailed descriptions, and targeted marketing to our collector network.
  • Auction Day: Your furniture pieces will be presented to eager bidders, with our auctioneers highlighting key features to maximize interest and bidding activity.
  • Settlement: Following successful sale, you'll receive prompt payment according to the terms of our consignment agreement.

For Buyers:

  • Registration: Create an account on our online platform or register in person for live auctions. Preview Opportunities: Examine items of interest during scheduled preview periods or through our detailed online catalog with high-resolution images.
  • Bidding Options: Participate via our user-friendly online platform, place absentee bids, or bid by phone.
  • Payment and Shipping or Pickup: Successful bidders can pay securely online and arrange for pickup or shipping according to their preference.

Whether you’re in Los Angeles or anywhere across the country, our furniture auctions offer accessible participation options with the guidance of our knowledgeable team every step of the way.

John Risley (1919 -2002) Woman and Man Wire Sculptural Settee Bench

John Risley

(1919-2002)
Woman and Man Wire Sculptural Settee Bench

Eero Saarinen

(1919-1961)
For Knoll Womb Chair and Ottoman

Joseph Somers

(20th Century)
Checkerboard Chair

Hall Bradley

20th Century
For Brown Jordan Dining Set 1967 Calcutta Faux Bamboo

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I sell my antique furniture in Los Angeles? Contact Hughes Auctions to arrange an initial consultation and appraisal. We’ll evaluate your pieces, discuss potential auction values, and explain our consignment process. You can reach us by phone, email, or through our website contact form to begin the conversation about your antique furniture.
What is the process for appraising antique furniture?
 Our appraisal process begins with a careful examination of the piece, considering factors such as age, maker, condition, rarity, and provenance. For formal appraisal reports, we retain the comprehensive documentation required by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for insurance, estate, or tax purposes. Basic evaluations for auction potential are often complimentary, while detailed formal appraisals incur a fee.
How do estate furniture auctions work? Estate auctions begin with a comprehensive inventory and assessment of the entire furniture collection. Our team identifies the most valuable pieces, develops a strategic auction plan, and handles all aspects of cataloging, photography, marketing, and sale execution. We can accommodate everything from single high-value pieces to complete household contents, customizing our approach to your specific situation and timeline requirements.
Can I participate in furniture auctions online?
 Absolutely! Hughes Auctions offers a sophisticated online bidding platform that allows participants to view detailed catalogs, place bids, and track auctions from anywhere in the world. Our online system provides real-time bidding during live auctions, absentee bidding options, and automatic bidding capabilities to suit your preferences. Registration is straightforward, and our team is available to assist with any technical questions.
What types of furniture typically bring the highest auction prices? While market preferences evolve, consistently valuable categories include signed pieces by renowned designers or craftsmen, furniture from important historical periods in excellent condition, items with documented provenance connecting them to historical figures or events, and rare examples of particular styles or forms. Currently, Midcentury Modern pieces by notable designers, Arts & Crafts furniture by makers like Stickley, and fine 18th Century Antiques continue to perform exceptionally well at auction.

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