Belt Auction

What does 'antique' mean to you?

I know what dictionaries and wikipedia say but I'm interested in other people's views on what defines an antique. I often consider the contents of antique stores to be more 'junk' or 'giftware' than antiques. We probably all agree that a 300yr old writing desk is antique but what about a 40yr old childrens toy? How old does it need to be in your eyes and how important is the craftsmanship, rarity, etc.?

Public Comments

1. a/k/a Junk
2. i think 'antique' means old. lol
3. Somthing old and of some kind of value That of cource values from person to person, one mans trash is anothers treasure :)
4. old and collectible.
5. I collect 'antique' pottery (what I consider antique) and look for anything that is 25 years old or older. I believe the true definition falls into a category of around 40 years old or more. A 40 year old toy if in good condition could have value to a collector and be considered a collectors item.
6. i would say if its like something you had or your parents had when you were growing up,memories.not an actual age.
7. It's hard to really define "antique" without throwing other words in the mix as a point of reference. Antique? Legend? Ancient? A piece of pottery from the pharoahs in Egypt is Ancient. King Arthur's sword is legendary. A 1921 little red wagon is an antique. It's all in comparison.
8. Antique for me is anything over 100 years old. I agree with you that alot of antique shops have "junk" & "giftware" that really doesn't fall into the meaning of antique. I like to go to antique shops, sometimes I buy old stuff, sometimes I don't. Depends what really catches my eye.
9. In cars the item has to be over 25 years old, and in fair or better condition. There are all sorts of antiques, and plenty of people that want what I would refer to as the most worthless crap on earth.
10. I think of it as something once popular but now rare since they aren't many around.
11. I think it's all in the eue of the beholder. what one might say is junk, another might find as treasure.
12. i consider collectable things that are at least 75 yrs old antique. something like the older childrens toy, i would think of as vintage. unless it's something i plan on using, such as furniture,electrics or kitchenware, craftsmenship and rarity really don't mean much to me. if it's something i like, that's all that matters. i won't buy something just because someone says it's collectable. it has to be important to me.
13. somthing that was made befor WW 2
14. To me there is new, old but probably broken, retro, period, vintage, antique and ancient. Ancient could be the pyramids, so antique is not as old as that but it is older than vintage which could be 1800's or down to the 1500's or so. Later than that is is getting REAL OLD but ancient is KING OLD.
15. 100 years old, except for cars which are classified as antique at 25 years. I have to laugh when I see something described as antique that was new when I was a kid! Gosh, I'm only 51, I'm not antique yet!!!
16. Actually, to be antique, an item has to be 100 years old. Before that, it is considered "vintage." I like antiques and vintage items and had been confusing them and was straightened out by a lady at an antique shop, then I did some research, and she was right!!!
17. 1978 or older.