What Is The Difference Between Vintage And Antique?

Many people can’t tell the difference between vintage and antique. These two terms are often used interchangeably but there is a difference between them. Vintage and antique are both types of collectable items that have an older history. They both refer to things that have been manufactured or created in the past, with older origins than what is currently in fashion or available at retail prices. The differences between these two terms are pretty subtle, but they do exist. Let’s take a look at what those differences are so you can understand which one is right for your home or business décor.

What Is the Difference Between Vintage & Antique?

If you’re trying to decide whether you should buy a vintage item or an antique piece of furniture, then you have come to the right place. Knowing the difference between vintage and antique can help you make the right choice for your home or business décor. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between these two popular décor trends.

A vintage item is a piece that is older than the current fashion and still trends in the earlier periods. These pieces may be from the ’60’s, 70s, 80’s, or any decade before this current time. It is very hit and miss, however, a vintage piece may or may not be in good condition. If it is not in good condition, then it could be worth less than if it was brand new in the current fashion. If you have the knowledge to identify which years and styles a piece is from, this may help you when identifying the age. The term antique is used to describe an item that is an older, vintage piece that has been around for an extended period of time. In other words, an antique is an item that is at least 100 years old. Some antiques are so old that they have been passed down through many generations. If an item is more than 100 years old, then it is considered to be an antique, however in order for an antique to have value, it must also be in relatively good condition, with most, if not all of it’s original parts. For example: An antique clock must be in working order with it’s original hands, face & casing in order for it to hold true value.

The Definition Of Vintage 

The term vintage has been used to describe items of value for many decades. The definition of a vintage item is an item that is at least 20 years old or more. They are older than the current fashion trends and are therefore worth more than new items. You can find vintage items in thrift stores and even online. However, make sure that the quality of the piece you want to buy is good. You can also buy vintage pieces from specialty stores, like Goodwill or antique stores. There are two ways to determine whether an item is vintage or not. The first is its style. If you think that the item you want to buy is from a certain period because of the way it looks, then it could be vintage. You should aim to look out for vintage items for sale in flea markets and retro furniture shops. Some examples of vintage items would be; vintage clothes, authentic vintage art deco, vintage clocks, vintage handbags, vintage outdoor furniture, vintage patio furniture, etc. The second way to determine whether an item is vintage is by its condition. If you think that the quality of the piece is good considering it was made over 20 years ago, it may hold more value than you think.

Antique Items

An antique is an item with historical significance that must be older than 100 years. Some antiques are so old that they have been passed down through many generations. If an item is more than 100 years old, then it is more than likely that it will be considered an antique. Examples of antiques would be Victorian furniture, architectural antiques, antique and estate jewellery, Danish-mid-century furniture, and many more. There are many things that you should consider when buying an antique. First, the cost of an antique should be proportional to the amount of work that was put into it. An antique that has been passed down for many generations would usually be more expensive than an ordinary piece made the same year.

When it comes to buying antiques, it can be tricky, if possible you should buy an antique from an established store and not from an individual seller, this way you will have a good idea of the true value of the piece, with a guarantee that it is an official antique product, not a replica.

Things to Consider When Buying a Vintage or an Antique

Condition

The condition of the item is very important. If the item you end up buying is a vintage item that is in bad condition, then it could be worth less than if it was brand-new in the current fashion and trends. Make sure that the item you want to buy is not in bad condition. If it is in good condition, then it could be worth more than you would expect.

Making

The next thing you need to consider is the making of the item. If you are looking to buy a vintage item that’s from a specific time, then you may want to ask an antique dealer or someone who has professional knowledge when the accurate timestamp is for the product.

Rarity

This all depends on preference, however, most die-hard collectors will constantly be seeking the most rare vintage items, this is because this increases the value and popularity of the product as more people will want to purchase it off you if you decide to sell it in the future.

Final Words 

The major difference between antique and vintage items is the age difference. From reading this blog, we hope we have provided you with the knowledge you were looking for. Vintage items are 20 years older or more, whereas, for something to be classed as antique, it has to be at least 100 years older or more. Visit our website Vintage Clocks to browse our high quality, luxurious antique clocks and watches.