Antiques are one of the most common collectibles.
Generally, an antique is something at least a hundred years old, although the term is often used to describe any object that is old. Items that are old, but fewer than a hundred years old, are more accurately termed vintage. However, motor vehicles may qualify as antiques when they are as little as twenty-five years old.
Antiques are purchased at antique shops, estate sales, auction houses, online auctions, and other venues. Often, collectors have found antiques in more unusual venues, such as yard sales and second-hand stores.
Examples of items commonly collected as antiques include furniture, jewelry, coins, books, porcelain and pottery, artwork, clocks and watches, automobiles, silverware, toys, and textiles.
As this is the shopping section of our guide, we will focus on items available for purchase here. Further information on antiques and antiquing can be found in the corresponding category within our Sports & Recreation section.
Regarding shopping, antiquing involves more than the antiques being sought and includes products used in their restoration, display, and overall care.
As indicated, antiques are items that are at least a century old or, as in the case of automobiles, a quarter of a century. Antiques have historical significance and often exhibit superior craftsmanship that is, in most cases, rare in modern manufacturing. Collectors seek out antiques for their aesthetic appeal, historical value, and the unique stories they tell. From Victorian-era furniture to Art Deco jewelry, antiques offer a tangible connection to the past.
This portion of our guide will include online resources selling antiques, as well as those offering products used in antiquing.
Restoring antiques is a delicate process that requires specialized products to ensure the integrity and value of the items being maintained. Some of the products used in antique restoration include wood cleaners, metal cleaners, textile cleaners, polishes, conditioners, adhesives, and fillers.
Many antique collectors want to display their collections, and several products are designed for this. Glass display cases provide an environment for delicate antiques, shielding them from dust, moisture, and physical damage. For wall-mounted antiques, such as paintings and mirrors, specialized mounting hardware ensures they are securely and safely displayed. Proper lighting enhances the visual appeal of antiques, highlighting their detail and craftsmanship. LED lights are often used because they emit minimal heat and UV radiation, reducing the risk of damage. Protective covers for antiques not on permanent display help shield them from dust and environmental factors. These covers are made from materials that do not trap moisture, preventing mold and mildew growth.
Other products integral to antiquing include reference books and guides. Antique collectors often rely on these references to identify, appraise, and care for antiques. These resources provide valuable information on the history, value, and proper maintenance of various antique items.
Professional appraisal services assist collectors in determining the value of their antiques. Appraisers use their expertise to assess items' condition, rarity, and historical significance, providing accurate valuations for insurance, sale, or personal knowledge.
Websites offering the sale or trade of antiques are appropriate for this category, as are those offering products designed to be used in the restoration or display of such items.
Recommended Resources
In business since 2001, the online store specializes in vintage costume jewelry, antiques, porcelain, glassware, and jewelry boxes. Its website was revamped in 2022 to utilize newer technologies and security measures, and its categories, store pages, and galleries were streamlined and optimized for modern browsers and mobile devices. Shoppers can browse the site's categories and subcategories and view photos and descriptions of available products, prices, and online purchase options.
https://alwaystreasured.com/
Located in Clayton, Georgia, the company specializes in restoring kitchen stoves (gas and electric) and refrigerators produced from the 1900s through the 1950s. Most of the appliances they restore belong to the customer, although they also sell restored appliances. Custom colors are available to fit the desired decor. Past projects pages highlight the company's work, and its location, contacts, parts store, inventory of available appliances, and services are featured.
https://www.antiqueappliances.com/
Antique Trail is an online antique store directory, which includes a website, photo tour, description, and a map listing nearly two thousand antique and vintage shops, malls, and shows in the United States. Its newest members are featured on the site's index page, while all of its listings can be found through its state categories. After clicking on a state category, shoppers will be presented with a list of shops within that state, along with an interactive state map showing their locations.
https://www.antiquetrail.com/
Launched in 2006, Gameroom Show was designed for collectors, dealers, interior designers, interior decorators, and antique enthusiasts to view and purchase mechanical wonders and antique memorabilia. The site features a catalog of coin-ops and vintage memorabilia, offering worldwide shipping. Besides its online store, Gameroom Show has a store in Jacksonville, Florida. Its address, a map showing its location, the hours of operation, and contacts are posted on the site.
https://www.gameroomshow.com/
Based in East Sussex, Old Tools is an online UK supplier of old woodworking tools and collectibles, such as old measuring instruments, hammers and wrenches, and antique planes made by makers such as Stanley, Record, Preston, Marples, Miller Falls, Norris, and Sorby. Also included are a number of old trade books and miscellaneous products. The company only sells to the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, including Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.
https://www.oldtools.co.uk/
Located in Chantilly, Virginia, Scripophily buys and offers a range of collectible items, including autographed certificates, government bonds, stock certificates, financial documents, and rare specimens from various companies. Shipping is free on orders delivered to the Continental United States, and all online shopping cart orders receive a 10% discount. In business since 1990, the company has been online since 1996. Testimonials, reviews, and items they are interested in buying are noted.
https://scripophily.net/
Tias is an online platform for the buying and selling of antiques and collectibles. The website features extensive categories and subcategories of antique or collectible products, with photos, dating, descriptions, asking prices, and the ability to make purchases online, along with its policies for selling products through the platform, advertising opportunities, security information, a FAQ, a newsletter, antique business news, information on building your own store, and an online contact form.
https://www.tias.com/
