The Difference Between Antique & Vintage

So, what is considered vintage? How old does something have to be to be classified as antique? What does retro mean? Much of the time, these words are used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference. Here, we’ll help define these terms and their key differences, as well as provide some great tips to help you identify vintage and antique pieces and how to distinguish real antiques from fake.

What is an Antique?

According to the antiques industry, an item must be at least 100 years old to be classified as antique. New eras age into the antique category each year, so today, an item would need to be from 1925 or earlier to be considered antique. If the age of an item cannot be definitively confirmed to be 100 or more years of age, it should not be referred to as an antique.

Examples of antique furniture:  a handmade wooden dresser from the early 1900s, primitive pieces that are rustic with imperfect craftsmanship, and specific eras in design like Renaissance, Baroque, Early American, Queen Anne, etc.

What is Vintage?

Generally speaking, the word vintage means “of age” and has a broader age requirement than antiques. Vintage pieces are at least 20 years old and can be considered vintage if they are up to 99 years old. Because vintage items are “younger” than antiques, they often bring nostalgia to people as they think about years past.

Examples of vintage furniture: mid-century modern pieces, original 1960’s lava lamp, tall and oversized lamps.

^{A fantastic Mid-Century Modern vignette at Salt City Antiques in Ypsilanti, MI}

^{Federal Style Mahogany Secretary Hutch – 1940’s}

What is Retro?

Retro items are typically not old at all. They are newly made nods to the past, designed to look like vintage or antique pieces. The best advantage of retro pieces is that they have the vintage look you’re going for but with modern technology. Retro and vintage items are commonly confused. To tell them apart, remember that retro goods are likely current reproductions of older things and are typically less expensive. Retro pieces are a great option for those looking for a vintage feel on a budget.

Examples of retro furniture: A new lava lamp you bought from Target, a retro style alarm clock that is new, things described as “mid-century style” but not dated as mid-century.

How to identify authentic Antiques or Vintage pieces

This distinction may not be important if you have found a piece you love and want. There is no issue if you pay what the piece is worth. But sometimes, knowing about a piece’s history helps tell its story and quantify its value. This is the part that makes antique junkies love these old pieces in the first place. Knowing the difference between antique and vintage is the first step to helping you identify true antiques. Here are a few additional things to look for:

^{I found this beautiful dining room buffet years ago at a flea market. It has some quirks, like one uneven leg (right hand side), but I love her personality and pretty details. The delicate trim and charming hardware make it the perfect fit for my space. See below for more details about her background.}

• When looking at a furniture piece, pay attention to the type of wood used. Antique pieces may have different types of wood in the hidden areas (like the back or bottoms of the drawers). This is because furniture makers were conservative when using more valuable wood.
• Search for labels or stamps on the piece that list the maker or year of production. Labels are most likely found on the back or underside of furniture.
• Look for clues indicating whether the piece was made by hand or machine. Antiques will be handmade, while vintage items could have been made with a machine. Some signs that indicate handmade furniture include unevenly cut dovetails, slight imperfections, or marks from a hand saw.
• Look for signs of wear. True antiques will have inconsistent wear, with some areas looking more distressed than others. With newer distressed furniture designed to look like an antique, the wear will appear more even.

While this blog isn’t an exhaustive list of things to look for to identify a piece, it’s a good overview. Identifying antique and vintage pieces can be tricky. But as long as you are armed with these simple tips, you should be able to buy confidently and hopefully have a little story to tell about your piece, too. If you are looking for something very specific, researching in advance will help you find what you’re looking for and ensure you get it for a fair price.

If you inherit or otherwise acquire an old piece that doesn’t have any identifying marks, professionals are available to help you determine the age and value of your piece. You can seek assistance from accredited antique appraisers, local shops, shows, or guides. If your piece is too large to transport to one of these places, bring along some photos that highlight the piece’s features.

^{I’m not sure of the age of this piece, but it was my Nana’s and sat in her guest room, where my sister and I always slept when we stayed with her. It’s incredibly special to me. It houses the same sets of Encyclopedias that it did when I was a kid. They belonged to my Grandpa, so I keep a photo of him right on top of the piece (and that’s my Dad as a boy in the photo hanging right above it.) I had it refinished a few years ago because it had some water damage on the top from a plant that leaked water. The woodworker that finished it said it was very well cared for and likely Mission or Arts & Crafts style from the early 20th Century.}

If you’re buying online, be very careful about sellers who describe an item as vintage when it’s new but made to look old. They should be describing the piece as retro. Remember that anyone can sell online or on Facebook Marketplace, and they may just be inexperienced in the proper terminology. And the same goes for antiques, sometimes sellers will call something antique that is vintage simply because they don’t know the rules. There are also some that are just dishonest…so that’s why it’s important to do your research to be sure you’re getting a fair price.

~ Beckie