What Makes an Item Antique
Learn the Definition of the Term 'Antique'
So what's an antique anyway? Is it just about the age, or is it about quality too? When it comes to buying antiques it's important to know what the term really means.
What is the Definition of Antique?
While some people say that to be classified as an antique an item must predate the Industrial Revolution, that’s not really true anymore. While it’s true that before the Industrial Revolution, items were handmade, and indicative of a certain quality of craftsmanship, as time goes on it’s not really fair to say that items made after this time period cannot be qualified as antique. After all, the word antique really refers to age, not quality.
The rule of thumb (and the legal definition) of what constitutes an antique, is that to be considered an antique the item must be over 100 years old. This is particularly important when shipping items to other countries because it can have an effect on duties and taxes. That said, antiques connoisseurs don’t always care for this definition as it gives no consideration to the quality, style, and craftsmanship of a piece. Just because an item is old, it doesn’t necessarily make it special or valuable. An item that was ugly and of poor quality over a hundred years ago likely still is.
Antique Reproductions
There’s also the issue of reproduction antiques. This is an area that has caused, and will continue to cause, much confusion. In the early 20th century, many pieces of furniture were made in the style of older antiques. Georgian tables, Chippendale chairs, Regency cabinets; you name it, they were reproduced. Up until now, these items were not considered antiques, but with the 100-year rule, some of them now are. But keep in mind, they’re still not originals.
Be careful when buying antiques and reproductions as the prices differ greatly depending on the age and quality of the item. Sometimes people sell reproductions as the ‘real thing’, so deal only with trusted sellers. Anyone who spends enough time around antique furniture and collectibles will develop an eye for them and be able to tell the difference, but until then, only buy from trustworthy sources.
Antiques for Profit
A lot of people think that they can make money from selling antiques, and sometimes this is true, but be wary of buying antique items with the intent only to sell. While antique dealers can make a good living from their hobby, they spend their lives collecting and developing an eye for what is valuable. They know what will sell and how to sell it. They also have a certain amount of overhead that must be paid for and factored into prices. Don’t think that just because you saw a similar item for a certain price at an antique store that you will get the same price if you choose to sell. Like with anything else, knowing how to sell antiques comes with research and experience.
When it comes to defining antiques, items must have something special about them; a charisma, a patina, a certain je ne sais quoi that sets them apart from the crowd. Although the definition of the term antique is still a little ambiguous, quality, style, and craftsmanship will always determine the value of a piece.
References
Jenkins, Emyl, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying and Selling Antiques, Alpha Books, 2000.
Miller, Judith, Antiques Price Guide 2003, DK Publishing, 2002.
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