Family business since 1985

Some treasures are worth more than you might think.

Since 1985 our family business has stood for experience, personal advice and the careful appraisal of antiques, jewellery and distinctive collectibles. We look beyond material value to the history, rarity and possible collector value of your pieces.

Family business since 1985· Individual appraisal· Free home visits

Make an Inquiry

Or call us: +49 152 17151928

Illustrative still life: floral porcelain, an open pocket watch, a doll, a violin, a silver teapot, coins and a vintage handbag against a burgundy ground. Not a picture of our premises.
The photographs are illustrative. They do not show particular members of the business or our premises.

Buying and appraisal, with experience

Whether you are selling antiques or asking for a single appraisal, we look at selected pieces in person. That includes jewellery, gold and silver, silver cutlery, branded watches, coins and stamps, militaria and other collectibles. Not every object is purchased. An inquiry without obligation is enough to find out.

A porcelain doll, a vintage handbag and a violin scroll on linen.

  1. Purchase of selected antiques and valuables.

  2. Individual assessment and appraisal.

  3. Consideration of material value and possible collector value.

  4. Advice on selling single pieces, collections and inherited estates.

  5. Free home visits.

Personal, and without obligation

How an appraisal can unfold

Whether an object is of interest becomes clear in conversation and when we see it. The steps describe a possible path. They are not a confirmed appointment and not a promise to buy.

  1. A piece raises a question

    At home the eye falls on porcelain, a watch, a violin or something from an estate. What it may mean beyond its material value is still open.

    A woman at home looking at a porcelain cup and a pocket watch from a trunk. An illustrative scene.

  2. You get in touch

    A call or the form is enough. We talk, without obligation, about whether an appointment or a home visit is possible where you are.

    A man brings a wrapped violin into a study, where he is greeted. An illustrative scene.

  3. We look at the piece

    At the appointment, or at your home if we confirm a visit, we take time to look at the object.

    A man examines a gold pocket watch with a loupe. An illustrative scene, not a particular member of the business.

  4. We look at the details

    Age, condition, craftsmanship, markings and rarity can all play a part. We do not promise a price in advance.

    Hands holding a loupe above the cover of a gold pocket watch.

  5. If a purchase fits

    Only selected pieces are bought. If it suits both sides, we handle the object with care. If it does not, the appraisal stays without obligation.

    Hands wrap a porcelain cup in plain tissue, with a pocket watch beside it.

What we buy

The range runs from furniture and porcelain to watches, coins, jewellery and military-historical collectibles. Carpets and gold are considered separately.

An illustrative antique velvet armchair.

1Antique furniture

Illustrative floral porcelain, a pot and a cup.

2Porcelain

Illustrative old toys: a wooden train, a top and a teddy.

3Toys

Illustrative gold pocket watches.

4Branded watches

An illustrative fur, photographed as an old textile.

5Furs

An illustrative stamp album with a magnifier.

6Postage stamps

Illustrative old coins on wood.

7Coins

An illustrative old rug with a corner turned back.

8Carpets and rugs

Illustrative antique gold: a brooch, a chain and a coin.

9Gold

Illustrative historical medals and a brass button.

10Militaria and military-historical collectibles

An illustrative landscape painting in a gilt frame.

11Paintings

Illustrative antique pewter: a tankard, a plate and a jug.

12Pewter

Illustrative antique jewellery with a garnet, pearls and a ring.

13Jewellery

Illustrative silver cutlery and a small silver teapot.

14Silver cutlery and table silver

Illustrative costume jewellery with coloured glass stones.

15Costume jewellery

An illustrative porcelain doll in a dress.

16Dolls

An illustrative antique violin and bow.

17Musical instruments

An illustrative vintage leather handbag.

18Vintage handbags

An illustrative antique sewing machine on a wooden table.

19Sewing machines

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Not sure whether your item is of interest to us? Just send an inquiry, with no obligation.

Ask about an item

We see more than the material value.

A meaningful appraisal can be more than weighing precious metal. With antique jewellery, silver objects or historical collectibles we also look at how something was made, how rare it is and what history it carries. Some objects have a collector value beyond their material value. That is not automatic for every piece, and we do not promise particular prices.

Material and precious metal
Where it matters, for example with gold, silver or jewellery.
Age and rarity
Not every old piece is rare, but age is part of placing it.
Craft and design
The quality of the work and its design.
Condition
Preservation, repairs and signs of use, without glossing over them.
Origin and provenance
What can actually be said about the piece’s history.
Historical significance
Especially with militaria and other historical objects.
Demand among collectors
Whether a collector’s market exists for the piece at all.
An illustrative study with a violin, doll, porcelain, pocket watch, silver teapot and handbag. Not a picture of a shop.
A home visit: two adults look at a violin together. An illustrative scene.

We can come to you.

Would you like valuables, inherited pieces or a larger collection appraised, but cannot bring them to us yourself? Since the COVID-19 pandemic we have also offered free home visits. Contact us so we can discuss what is possible and agree a suitable time.

We confirm whether a home visit is possible where you are. The form alone does not reserve a time or a journey.

Request a home visit
A woman looks at a small silver teapot at a work table. An illustrative scene, not a particular member of the business.

1985

A family tradition since 1985

Since 1985 we have recognised the particular value of your treasures.

Collecting has been a passion in this family for generations. Curiosity about the origin, craftsmanship and history of objects became the family business Schmidt Geschichte mit Wert in 1985.

We take time for single pieces, for collections and for estates. Experience, a close eye and respectful conduct — towards people as much as towards what they entrust to us — are what matter.

Out and about in several regions

Besides our base in Asendorf, we are represented in Bremen, Dortmund, Zurich and Berlin. These are service areas, not confirmed branches. We do not list street addresses or opening hours for these places, because none have been confirmed. Free home visits are offered once we can confirm availability for your location.

  • Bremen City Hall

    Bremen

    Service area

  • The old town hall on Friedensplatz in Dortmund

    Dortmund

    Service area

  • The towers of the Grossmünster in Zurich

    Zurich

    Service area

  • The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

    Berlin

    Service area

Address: Kornblumenweg 8, 27330 Asendorf

What would you like appraised or sold?

Tell us briefly what it is about. We look forward to your inquiry and will discuss the next steps with you.

Two adults discuss a porcelain cup at a wooden table. An illustrative scene.

Make an Inquiry

The message is sent to info@webdesignfreu.de so it can be handled. It is not stored on our server. An appointment is confirmed only when we agree it personally.

Would you like to send photos of your item? Write to us directly on WhatsApp.

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Prefer to talk? Call us: +49 152 17151928

Common questions

Which items do you buy?

We deal with selected antiques and valuables, including antique furniture, porcelain, toys, branded watches, furs, stamps, coins, carpets, gold, militaria, paintings, pewter, jewellery, silverware, costume jewellery, dolls, musical instruments, vintage handbags and sewing machines. Not every item is purchased. Ask, without obligation, whether your piece is of interest.

How does an inquiry work?

You describe the item as concretely as you can. We reply and discuss the next steps, for example seeing it in person or a home visit. The inquiry is without obligation and does not confirm a purchase.

Do you also consider collector value?

Yes, where it is genuinely relevant. Besides material, age, rarity, craftsmanship, condition, origin, historical significance and demand among collectors can all play a part. That does not mean every object has a special collector value.

Are home visits possible?

Since the COVID-19 pandemic we have offered free home visits, especially when pieces are hard to transport or a larger collection or estate needs to be discussed. We confirm whether a visit is possible where you are.

Which regions do you cover?

Our base is in Asendorf, at Kornblumenweg 8. We are also represented in the service areas of Bremen, Dortmund, Zurich and Berlin. These are not confirmed branches.

How do I request an appointment?

Call +49 152 17151928 or write to us through the inquiry form. An appointment is confirmed only when it is agreed personally. For a home visit, please give a place or postcode.

A quiet evening still life with porcelain, a pocket watch, coins and a violin scroll.

There may be more to your treasures than you suspect.

Send an inquiry without obligation. We will take time for what you have in mind.

Make an Inquiry
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