170 Examples of Antiques

An antique is a valuable physical item that is old. These may be valuable due to the quality of their craftsmanship, uniqueness of their design or the role the items played in culture, society, history or art. In order to be considered an antique an item generally has to be at least 100 years old. Valuable items that are newer than this are typically viewed as collectibles or vintage. In practice, rare items may be viewed as antiques before the 100 year limit. Artifacts that are more than 1,500 years old are known as antiquities. The following are common types of antiques.

Appliances	Architectural Features
Arms & Armor	Artistic Advertising & Packaging
Automaton	Automobiles
Beds	Bells
Bicycles	Binoculars
Bookcases	Bookends
Books	Bottle Openers
Bottles	Bowls & Dishes
Boxes & Cases	Cabinets
Calculators & Adding Machines	Cameras
Candlesticks	Canes
Carvings	Catalogs
Ceramics	Chairs
Champagne Glasses	Chandeliers
Chess Sets	Chests / Chests of Drawers
Chronometers	Clocks
Coffeepots	Coin Banks
Coins & Currency	Collectable Cards (e.g. baseball cards)
Collectible Plates	Comic Books
Commemorative Items	Compasses
Costume Jewelry	Couture
Cups	Curio Cabinets
Decanters	Decorative Arts
Decoys	Desks / Writing Tables
Dolls & Dollhouses	Dressers
Embroideries	Enameled Metal (e.g. Graniteware)
Ephemera	Farm Equipment
Figurines & Statuettes	Firefighting Equipment
Fireplace Accessories	Fishing Gear
Flasks	Folk Art
Games	Garden Statues
Glass Art	Glasses
Globes	Goblets
Hairpins	Hand Fans
Handbags & Pursues	Hatpins
Historical Artifacts	Housewares
Humidors	Interior Decorations
Jade	Jewellery
Jugs & Pitchers	Keys & Locks
Knives & Pocketknives	Lacquerware
Lamps	Lanterns
Letters & Documents	Lighters
Lobby Cards	Luggage
Magazines	Mailboxes
Maps	Marbles
Match Holders	Match Safes
Medals & Badges	Medical Cabinets
Medical Equipment	Mirrors
Model Trains	Models & Miniatures
Movie Props	Music Boxes
Musical Instruments	Nautical Instruments
Netsuke	Nutcrackers
Office Automation	Paintings & Prints
Paperweights	Patent Models
Pencils	Pens
Perfume Bottles	Phones
Phonographs & Gramophones	Photographs
Picture Frames	Pipes
Porcelain	Postcards
Posters	Pottery
Printing Presses	Punch Bowls
Puppets	Quilts
Radios	Rugs
Safes	Salt & Pepper Shakers
Scientific Instruments	Screens & Panels
Sculpture	Seal Stamps
Sewing Machines	Shaving Accessories
Sheet Music Signs	Silver & Metalware
Sofas	Spittoons
Sports Antiques	Stamps
Steins	Stonewear
Stools	Stoves
Swords	Tables
Tapestries	Tea Services
Teapots	Televisions
Thimbles	Ticker Tape Machines
Tiles	Tinware
Tools	Toys
Traditional Art	Traditional Crafts
Trench Art	Trunks
Typewriter Ribbons	Typewriters
Umbrellas	Vases
Wallets	Wardrobes
Watches	Weather Instruments
Weather Vanes	Wine Glasses

Periods

The following are the major periods of American antiques.

Colonial Period	1607-1776 Items from early American settlements that are typically simple and functional designs.
Federal Period	1780-1820 The period following the American Revolution sees the emergence of fine craftsmanship and more ornate items often influenced by neoclassical design.
Early Republic	1820-1840 The rise of the American Empire style that included more elaborate and heavier designs and the use of mahogany.
Victorian Era	1837-1901 Marked by Queen Victoria's reign in Britain. Highly stylized and decorative design movements such as Gothic Revival, Rococo Revival, Eastlake, Queen Anne and the Aesthetic Movement.
Arts and Crafts Movement	1890-1920 An emphasis on craftsmanship and simplicity in contrast to the ornate designs of the Victorian-era. Also viewed as a reaction against industrialization.
Art Nouveau	1890-1910 Highly stylized curved organic forms, decorative inlays and natural themes. For example, the ornate stained glass windows and lamps produced by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Art Deco	1920-1940 A modernist movement that adopted bold geometric shapes and vibrant colors. This was also highly stylized and is instantly recognizable.
Mid-Century Modern	1940-1960 The WWII and post-war period embraced minimalism and industrialization. New materials such as plastic and plywood were introduced.
Brutalism	1950-1980 Minimalism taken to its logical conclusion with stark designs unfriendly to the human spirit.
Atomic Age	1945-1965 Futuristic designs inspired by the space race and technological advancements.
Pop Art & Design	1960-1975 A playful and colorful approach to design inspired by commercial imagery such as advertising and product packaging.
Postmodern	1970-Present A rejection of minimalism and industrialization that embraces decoration, organic forms, historical references, local styles, eclecticism and irony.

Definitions
Antiquity	An item of culture that is over 1,500 years old.
Antique	An item of value that is over 100 years old.
Vintage	An item that is over 20 years old.
Secondhand / Used	An item that has been previously used.
Retro	A new item loosely based on vintage designs.
Classic	A new item based on vintage or antique works, styles, designs or form factors.

Summary

Antiques are often valued for their high quality and uniqueness relative to new products of the industrial consumer economy. They are often used for their original purpose but can also be collected and displayed as a hobby. Collecting antiques can play a role in preserving the past. This can also feel like a connection to the past that can feel nostalgic, sentimental or mysterious.

Notes

Automaton are historical mechanical puppets that resembled early robots.

Ephemera is anything that is designed to have a short lifespan such that it is essentially disposable. For example, a political leaflet.

Some types of antiques such as fine art, coins, stamps and sports collectibles are viewed as a specialty in terms of valuation and sales such that they aren't typically handled by antique experts or shops.

Antiquities refers to ancient artifacts that are older than the middle ages. These are viewed as a separate category of antique that require specialized knowledge to evaluate.

Next read: Old Things

170 Examples of Antiques

Periods

Summary

Notes

Old Things

19th Century Things

Ancient Things

Collectibles

Ephemera

Useful Things

Why History Is Important

Gold Things

Classic Things

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