People are not passing down large family heirlooms because they don't have the space to keep them, according to a Dublin antique shop owner.
Speaking to Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie for Moncrieff Niall Mullen said the market has changed in recent years due to the housing market and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said the items people value most are changing.
"The market has changed because people are not that into furniture anymore," he said.
"People don't tend to have a house the way one was guaranteed of a house years ago.
"They'll buy nice objects, collectibles [or] items that they can bring if they move house".
'A lot of older people died'
Mr Mullen said the COVID-19 pandemic saw an increase in antiques on the market.
"A lot of older people died and houses that probably were not being sold had to be sold,” he said.
"There were massive houses - particularly around Dublin 4, Dublin 2 and Dublin 6 - that came on the market.
"Then there were siblings left facing having to empty out a house.
"Sometimes what happens is, even though it belonged to their parents, their own style of house doesn't suit so they're forced to put it into auction.
"As a result, the market became a little bit crowded, and the larger furniture pieces had become a little bit too cheap for what they are made of.
"They're not making really what they should."
A Love Poems book is seen on an antique trunk in Canada. Image: Window Light/Zuma Press/PA ImagesMr Mullen said people should hold on to their heirlooms if they can.
"I would probably try and encourage people... to hold on," he said.
"All antiques, they have a story."
What would you pass on?
Esther, who moved to Ireland from San Diego in the US, told Josh she wants to pass her mother's necklace on.
"I brought it to Ireland with me to leave it here," she said.
"She was a dealer on Moore Street and she emigrated 66 years ago to America.
"I brought the necklace [back], isn't that funny?
"I have to find somebody to give it to, somebody special".
Esther said there is actually nothing of hers she wants to pass on.
"For my kids, not a thing - they wouldn't appreciate it".
Another woman, whose own mother is almost 100 years old, said she would consider photos the most important thing to pass on.
"Just photographs I think I'd save, but they're all on phones now anyway," she said.
One man said he has just one thing he wants to pass down.
"All I have is my car and they're welcome to that," he said.
"They can sell it and share the money between them, there's only six of them.
"You'd be lucky to get €2,000 for it".
Josh asked one woman what's the one item she would grab in a fire: "My phone - my photos and my memories," she said.
The quality and character of an antique piece usually determines the price tag.
