When is antique

The Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks will help you with manufacturer identification. Next, find the pattern that matches your silver piece. With thousands of old china and glassware pieces on the market, trying to identify a specific item is a challenge. Reference the Marks4Antiques database to link the mark to a specific manufacturer.

To find the pattern, reference an online replacements supplier. Identifying unmarked glassware is more challenging. Turn to a recognized reference source, such as the Glass Encyclopedia from 20th Century Glass. Most antique books, pictures, and etchings are relatively easy to identify. When analyzing an etching, look for details in the fine print. Compared to antique pieces, identifying vintage items tends to be easier. This is because more reference materials may be available.

With that said, some vintage items may have more documentation than others, improving their value. When evaluating vintage pieces, avoid items containing subpar materials and corner-cutting construction methods. If a defect is simple and inexpensive to repair, buying the piece may be a cost-effective move.

If the defect has to do with the craftsmanship, walk away from the item. Before evaluating a vintage piece, look at original photographs and learn about specific designer trademarks and techniques. Determine comparable prices by viewing similar vintage items for sale at auction houses or flea markets. Online Etsy item listings may provide pricing details for some items.

The 20th century featured numerous vintage furnishing styles, notably the Danish modern and mid-century modern designs. Early American, futuristic, and minimalistic decorative styles also had their adherents. When evaluating a vintage piece, determine how well the item conforms to a certain period style. If you notice inaccuracies, the piece may be a reproduction.

Cheap construction materials and shoddy craftsmanship can also be signs of a copy. Pieces proven to be originals often bring good prices.

Ask an accredited appraiser to evaluate the item. Getting your item identified is essential for determining its value. Consider these four local resources that may help you accomplish your goal. Consider adding an accredited antique appraiser to your RSS feed.

Ask them if they offer free identification services. From interior designers to collectors, people are bringing antiques out of dark storage spaces and giving life to old-world treasures in contemporary spaces. With changing tastes and new interior trends, investing in forever-pieces is on the up. But exactly what is antique?

How old is antique? And what is the difference between vintage and antique? Dava Kava says:. Matt says:. Jacqueline Harrison says:. Kylie says:. Corinne says:. William Ray says:. Gauri says:. LearnToRead says:. Tom says:. Dea says:. Antique Diva says:. Randy Chorvack says:. Anonymous says:. Ernest More says:. Stuart says:.

Randall Johnson says:. Trackbacks […] production an antique. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Popular Posts M. Generally speaking if the item is no older than an antique but not less than 20 years, it falls under the term vintage. What can sometimes be confusing is that items that are vintage are often described as retro and so there is a one sided overlap of the two terms. It generally implies a vintage of at least fifteen or twenty years. For example, clothing from the s or s could be retro.