A Brief History of Antiques and Collectibles The history of antiques can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and Egypt

Antiques are incredibly valuable in that they provide us glimpses into years of old. They allow for the study of civilizations and eras ...while providing artistic barometers of the people living during those times. Antiques are a gateway to what was... a portal into humankind’s history. These items are 100 years old or more and they're not being made today (at least not in the same way, using the same materials).

For an item to be considered vintage, it must be at least 20 years old ...while items under 20 are considered contemporary and/or collectibles. Regardless, of the age of an item however... or even the price ...to collectors, many of these objects and/or collections are priceless!!!

Of course, creativity, craftsmanship, aesthetic value, cultural and/or historical relevance as well as other criteria are key in determining an objects value... ultimately, the item itself determines its own value (...is it prestine? ...how rare is it? ...is it being sought?, etc.)!!!

From what we know, the history of antiques is traced back to the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and Egypt. In these areas, individuals collected and treasured objects made by their ancestors. These pieces were seen as symbols of cultural heritage and were passed down from generation to generation... often defining wealth and status.

Antique collecting is a multi-billion dollar industry around the world today (). Dealers of Antiques and collectors of anything vintage, equally seek objects from the past to admire, study and accumulate. In many ways antiques and things considered vintage are influencing the world (they reflect cultural, social and economic values of the times in which they were created). Antiques and basically anything created in years gone by, offer glimpses into the past ...reminding us all of humankinds creativity, ingenuity and uniqueness.

For centuries, people all over the world have pursued collections. In 2023, Psychology Today reported that an estimated 40 percent of the American population collects something.

From currency to coins ...to anything antique, vintage, rustic, industrial, rare or retro ...memorabilia, souvenirs, art collections, etc., the list is broad (as to the reasons why people visit flea markets, antique stores, vintage malls, old treasure shops, online antique dealers, old book stores, auction houses, rustic furniture depots ...and so many other dated-related retail outlets.

There’s an adventurous hunt in it all, a fantastic joy, a thrilling intrigue ...a chance, a risk and a gamble. Through discoveries of the past, people are often able to relive their childhoods and/or their parents or grandparents. There’s a connection to the past in these items; a longing that silently speaks to be explored and understood.

The history in old treasures is admired and cherished by communities. In collecting there’s a relationship... and through that relationship, many other relationships are formed. It’s a fun and exciting lifestyle that many people from all walks of life enjoy.

To find out more about the histories of Antiques and Collectibles visit some of these resources...
     •   Encyclopedia.com
     •   The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles
     •   Wikipedia.com
     •   Britannica.com
     •   Antiquers.com
     •   theCollector.com
     •   Antique Timeline