New to antiques and collectables?

Antique, vintage or retro?

The words are used loosely, but the trade broadly agrees on these:

Antique

Around 100 years old or more. A piece made in the 1920s has only recently crossed the line.

Vintage

Old enough to belong clearly to another era, usually at least 20 years, but not yet antique. Mid-century furniture, 1970s glass and 1980s toys all sit here.

Retro

A style rather than an age. It can describe a genuinely old piece or a modern one made to look old, so always check which a listing means.

Collectable

Anything people collect, whatever its age: coins, film props, toys, badges, advertising. Value comes from rarity, condition and demand more than from years.

Reproduction

A later copy of an earlier design. Nothing wrong with one honestly described and priced as such. “In the style of” and “-style” are the phrases to notice.

Reading a condition report

Old things have lived a life, and honest wear is part of the appeal. What matters is that you know about it before you buy. Terms you will meet:

Patina

The surface that age and handling give wood, metal and leather. Usually desirable. Do not polish it off.

Restored / restoration

Repaired or refinished at some point. Good restoration is normal; it should always be declared.

Married

Made up of parts that did not start life together, such as a table top on a different base.

Crazing

A fine network of cracks in a ceramic glaze. Common and often harmless, but distinct from a crack in the body.

Foxing

Brown spotting on old paper, found on prints, maps and books.

A/F (“as found”)

Sold with faults, as it is. Read the description and the photographs closely.

If a description leaves you unsure about a chip, a repair or a measurement, ask. Every listing on EVintiques names the dealer who owns the piece, and their store page shows how to reach them.

Marks worth knowing

• Hallmarks on British silver and gold record who submitted the piece, the purity of the metal and the assay office that tested it, and often a date letter. A full set of marks can date a piece to a single year.
• Maker’s marks and backstamps on ceramics and glass identify the factory, and changed over time, which helps with dating.
• Labels, stamps and serial numbers on furniture, clocks, toys and instruments. Look underneath, inside drawers and on the back.

A mark supports an attribution; it does not prove one on its own, because marks can be copied. Weigh it alongside construction, materials and wear.

Buying with confidence

• Buy what you like. Taste outlasts any prediction about value.
• Check the dimensions against the space you have in mind. Photographs flatter scale.
• Look at every photograph, especially backs, undersides and close-ups.
• Ask about delivery for anything large or fragile before you order.
• Know your rights. Buying online as a consumer you can usually cancel within 14 days of delivery. Our returns page sets out how that works here.
• Some materials are restricted by law. Dealing in ivory is banned in the UK with only narrow exemptions, so expect a dealer to be able to explain any piece that contains it. Government guidance.

Looking after a piece

• Keep wood, paper and textiles out of direct sunlight and away from radiators.
• Dust with a soft dry cloth. Avoid spray polishes on old finishes; a good wax, rarely, is enough.
• Do not clean coins, bronze or old silver plate aggressively. Over-cleaning removes value for good.
• Lift furniture by its frame, never by the top or the arms.
• When in doubt, ask the dealer you bought from. They would rather answer than see a piece harmed.

Where to learn more

Independent of us, free to use, and trusted by the trade: