Selling older items and collectibles can be a fun and profitable hobby. However, not everything that looks old necessarily falls into the antique category. If you want to simplify the selling process and get optimal value for items like antique furniture, it helps to understand what qualifies as an antique and how to determine if it is one.

A Guide to Antiques

What Is the Difference Between Antique & Old or Retro?

The general rule of thumb is that items have to be at least 100 years old to be considered antique. This means that in 2020, an item must be from 1920 or earlier to fall into this category.

Note that this doesn’t mean that pieces made after that date have no value. Those made in 1921 and anytime after would be considered vintage. Vintage is a general term encompassing items that are at least 20 years old.

Retro is another common descriptive term but is used more loosely. This term is used to describe anything that has a style popularized in past decades. Reproductions of certain items can be considered retro, even if they were made more recently.

How Can You Tell If Something Is Antique?

If you’re trying to determine when a certain item was made, start by looking at its general condition. If the hardware has subtle wear marks, like tiny scratches on handles, drawers, or screws, it could be a sign of age. Antiques will have uneven markings, whereas the marks on pieces that are made to look old will be relatively uniform.

Check for manufacturer logos or stamps. If you find a name on the piece, research the company to see when they operated. While some may have a large time frame, you may be able to find photos of the logos used during specific time periods. Compare those to the one on your piece to get an idea of its age.

If you’re not sure, take your furniture or other items to an antique dealer to be appraised. These professionals have a vast knowledge of past styles and manufacturers, so they can usually determine a baseline of origin.

If you’re looking to sell antique furniture, jewelry, music boxes, or art, contact Forsythe’s Antiques & Fine Art in Russellville, OH. This antique dealer offers fair prices and honest and secure appraisals for a wide variety of items. They also offer full estate purchasing, and will even come to your location to make the process seamless. Visit the company’s website to see a selection of items they accept, or call (513) 791-2323 to have your antique furniture appraised.