Hello antiquing world...

Full disclosure, I know very little about antiques but I am interested in popular vintage items. I joined your wonderful forum hoping to gain more information on a couple of items that have found their way into my possession.

 

Welcome, Hallie! We're always glad to answer questions like this one. The misuse of these terms as "interchangeable" and the misuse of the term "antique" when an item is no where near 100 years old (the correct technical definition of "Antique") are seen way too often on the internet - and particularly on sale sites such as eBay.

There are some categories where a lower age has been commonly accepted as "antique" - Cars are the most visible situation where this seems to be true.

When something is less than 100 years old and you want to use the term "vintage" you should always follow vintage with a date or date range. "Vintage 1960's" or such.

Hope that helps.

 

Welcome Hallie! Let's see some of your items.

 

vintage is a wine term...and is used poorly by most who do not state a date with the word...
it's like ...circa....circa what ?......circa 1910....OK, that makes sense..!

Oh...& welcome.....circa 5 minutes ago !!

 

Thanks for the great answers and the warm welcome, guys. (The most informative thread I have ever been involved in.)

 

Welcome!
Circa 2017.

 

Welcome Hallie, from someone born in a good wine year (vintage).

As Bakers said, antique is 100 yrs and over, vintage is old but not yet 100 yrs old. And, yes, it is considered good manners to include a date or period.
Having said that, we sell ethnic jewellery, which can be near impossible to date at times. Estimates like pre 1950, or sometime between 1930 and 60s are acceptable in that case.

 

Welcome aboard.

 

WELCOME HALLIE !! ... Joy.

 

Hello Hallie - welcome aboard! I myself, am vintage .

 

Hallie, I love the question, too. Wondered recently, myself, if there's a definition of the descriptive "old" as I tend it constantly to describe anything from "old enough to have tarnished" to " older than me"....