Antique: An antique is an item that was made at least 100 years ago according to customs of the time. In 2026, an item would need to be made in 1926 or earlier to be considered an antique. It’s the real deal—an item that’s been around long enough to have lived through world wars, changing fashions, and more than a few house moves. Antiques tend to be valued for their quality, rarity, and the sheer fact they’ve survived for a century or more. Think Victorian gold brooches, Georgian silver vinaigrettes. These pieces weren’t just made to be used; they were made to last, and that’s part of their appeal. If it’s not at least 100 years old, it’s not an antique. Simple as that.