Adjective

antique (comparative antiquer, superlative antiquest)

1. Old, used especially of furniture and household items; out of date.

Related terms

• ancient
• antic
• antiquary
• antiquarian
• antiquated
• antiquity

Noun

antique (plural antiques)

1. An old piece of furniture, household item, or other similar item.
2. (figuratively, mildly pejorative) An old person.

An antique (Latin: antiquus; old) is an old collectible item. It is collected or desirable because of its age(see definition), beauty, rarity, condition, utility, and/or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era in human society.

Antiques are usually objects which show some degree of craftsmanship, or a certain attention to design such as a desk or the early automobile. They are bought at antique shops, or passed down as an estate. Some valuable antiques can be bought from antique dealers and auction services or purchased online through websites and online auctions. Antique dealers are often members of national trade associations, many of which themselves belong to CINOA, a confederation of art and antique associations across 21 countries, representing 5000 dealers.

Purpose

In history

Any historical museum makes a considerable use of antiques in order to illustrate historical events and give them a practical context. Virtually any object can become an antique if it survives long enough, but value of an antique in the market place is determined by its appeal and social acceptance. For example museums exist of ephemera, that is of objects and items that would normally be thrown away, such as packaging and advertising flyers and posters.