11/26/2025
Antiques the definition of fun!
Do you know the slang? The different definitions that may define the piece?
Original: An item that has never been altered or changed since it was made. No repairs or alterations. Normal wear and aging is expected and acceptable on furniture.
Reproduction: A copy or close imitation of an item — not intended to fool the consumer.
Fake: An item that is created and sold falsely. The maker intended to fool the consumer and to misrepresent the item with the intent to defraud.
Married: Pieces that are put together as one item that were not originally meant to go together. For example; the top of a kitchen cabinet added to the base of a cupboard.
Circa or C. about: Indicates an approximate age.
Patina: An acquired surface due to age, wear and time. The surface of many antiques will grow more beautiful with time and use. Can add value to an antique or collectible. One should be cautious before cleaning or refinishing an item with patina.
Antique: The legal definition is an item that is 100 years old or older.
Collectible: An item that has value because of its limited production but is less than 100 years old.
Vintage: An item that has nostalgia value made between the 1920s and the 1980s.
Handmade: Something made by hand. Implies that the maker was skilled in the production of the item.
Homemade: Something made by hand but not necessarily from a skilled maker. Usually means that an item was made as a utilitarian object, by the user.
Manufactured or mass-produced: Something made in a factory or by machine and made in quantity.
Limited edition: An item produced in a preset number and then never produced again. Research should be done to determine the production number is not high and that the items are dated and marked with their individual production number. Investing in limited-edition items is a slippery slope, oftentimes.
Maker’s mark: The brand or symbol added to an item to identify the maker or manufacturer. Can add value to an antique, collectible or limited-edition item. An original signature on certain items also will add significant value.
Case piece: Furniture built with three or more sides held together by hardware and meant to be opened. An example would be a cupboard, chest or wardrobe.
Ephemera: Paper collectibles that were originally meant to be thrown away after use. Such items include letters, calling cards, political pamphlets, movie posters, advertising hand fans and greeting cards, to name a few.
Period antique: An item made during the time of its popularity. For example, a period Chippendale highboy would have been made by a skilled furniture maker in the period between 1725 and 1760.
Period country: An item made in the style of the period but by a lesser skilled craftsman.
Country: A handmade antique that was meant for utilitarian use and was not made by a skilled craftsman. In furniture, a country piece would have been made from local materials using the tools at hand. The end result was often attractive as well as useful.
Primitive: An item, crudely made, to serve a utilitarian need. For example, a table made for butchering.
