Vintage or Antique?

Fans of styles and collectibles from a bygone era may find themselves often stumped by the distinction of terms used to describe said items. Lately any and everything old has become all the rage. Recently popular television shows such as Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, The Tudors, Game of Thrones, and a handful of others, have lent a sense of nostalgia and romanticism to the past. The same goes for movies such as Sherlock Holmes, Captain America, Immortals, Water for Elephants, Super 8, and The Help. Actresses and celebrities frequently walk the red carpet in vintage gowns. Songs and stories from the past are being retold and/or retooled. Rockabilly and swing-dancing sub-cultures are growing in number. "Old" Fashion, Music, Jewelry, Literature and Art are all enjoying an apparent resurgence.

So why the fascination with the past? Could it be its familiarity is somewhat comforting? Or is it something more? Could it be a new generation simply appreciating the fine handiwork of their predecessors? What causes the personal emotional connection so many of us feel for the old above the new?

One might argue the current popularity of antique and vintage trends goes hand in hand with the growth of the "green" or recycling movement. Shopping at flea markets, thrift stores, estate sales and auctions is very hip. Outlets such as Etsy.com and Ebay also make it easier to get our hands on those once elusive treasures. No longer is owning something "second-hand" considered undesirable (as in when "hand me downs" were the bane of all children). Re-using formerly owned items equates to reducing our demand for newly manufactured ones. That in turn results in lower expenses, pollution, transportation costs and so forth.

In an economy as rough as our current one, vintage or antique finds may sometimes be more affordable than their newer counterparts. There are definitely many which are not, and whose price might even shock you.

Some of these purchases could also be regarded as an investment or a hallmark of taste. Values may increase...you may find a "diamond in the rough"...meaning you can turn around and sell an item for much more than you originally paid. This sort of logic appeals to the "treasure hunter" in us all. Who amongst us has not wished we were as lucky as the latest "Antiques Roadshow" guest to discover that piece of supposed junk in their basement is actually worth a pretty penny?

So what should you know before buying and/or collecting that which is "old?" Here are some tips:

1. Antique generally refers to items 100 years or older. There can be some discrepancy or flexibility here...depending on the nature of the collectible itself. Ultimately, according to Webster's, it must be "made in an earlier time and appreciated for its beauty or rarity." Another frequent specification is that said item remains unaltered from its original state (where possible). An antique item may be found to have "most" of its original parts and still be desirable, but the more "complete" its state, generally the better in terms of value.

2. Vintage refers to anything not quite antique but from an era before the present. It should have an enduring appeal and may often be described as a "classic."

3. Collectible is defined as any object regarded as being of value or interest to a collector. You know, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and all that. There are numerous types of collectibles.

4. Watch for creations dubbed vintage or antique "inspired"...these are NOT the "real thing"...but may bear a close resemblance. They may be newly created and then "distressed" or made to look older than they actually are. See also reproduction.

5. Antiquities are remains of art and everyday items which are in themselves considered ancient artifacts. These items are generally considered priceless and collected by museums, researchers or the very wealthy elite.

6. "Retro" is short for retrospective, and usually refers to something which IMITATES the style of a previous era.

7. A reproduction is a newly-made, but faithful copy of an older item.

8. Provenance, derived from the French for "to come from," means the chronology of an item's ownership or location. Often times the story of an item's history may increase its perceived value. Documentation may plan an important role in any collectible item's provenance.
9. Heirlooms are items passed down for generations through family members. They may be vintage OR antique. As with collectibles, the value is often increased and/or determined by the collector's sentimental attachment to the piece.



*Our team has four members who sell Vintage items on Etsy.com if you would like to check them out (our photos are from their online shops).

Top photo is from http://paperdiva.etsy.com


From http://AdornmentsbyKarla.etsy.com

From http://TheRecycledCatholic.etsy.com

From http://Bluegirlink.etsy.com