Antique & Vintage Guide
Learn about the antique and vintage objects you see in collected homes, including what they are, how they were originally used, what to look for when buying, and ways to decorate with them.
Choose an object below to read the full guide.
The more you know, the easier antiques are to shop for
These guides will help you recognize common antique and vintage objects, understand their history and original purpose, and know what to look for before bringing one home.
BROWSE BY OBJECT
Antique Books
Antique Books
Old bindings, worn leather, and faded pages add texture, height, and history to shelves, tables, and vignettes.
Antique Bread Boards
Age-worn boards with knife marks and rich patina that look beautiful displayed, layered, or used for serving.
Antique Portraits
Painted depictions of people prized for their expressive faces, aged surfaces, and unmistakable sense of history.
Baby Bathtubs
Vintage metal tubs that can be repurposed as planters, storage, or unexpected decorative statement pieces.
Bergère Chairs
Classic French armchairs known for their upholstered backs, graceful curves, exposed frames, and comfortable proportions.
Bottle Drying Racks
Utilitarian racks once used for bottles that now make charming displays for mugs, linens, ornaments, or greenery.
Deckled Edge Books
Books with uneven, hand-cut page edges that add softness, texture, and an old-world look to displays.
Demijohns
Large glass vessels once used for wine and oil, now collected for their shape, color, and European character.
Dough Bowls
Hand-carved wooden bowls worn smooth from years of use and valued for their warmth, texture, and versatility.
French Olive Jars
Curved pottery vessels once used to store olives and oil, loved today for their patina and sculptural shape.
Frozen Charlotte Dolls
Tiny porcelain dolls with a curious history and an unusual mix of charm, whimsy, and just a little eeriness.
Gadget Canes
Clever walking sticks designed with hidden tools, compartments, or functions that make them fascinating conversation pieces.
Grain Sacks
Durable handwoven textiles once used for storing grain, now prized for their stripes, texture, and rustic character.
Intaglios
Small relief medallions inspired by classical art, often framed or displayed for their refined, architectural detail.
Mora Clocks
Swedish longcase clocks recognized by their curved silhouettes, painted finishes, and graceful, sculptural presence.
Santos Dolls
Carved religious figures prized for their aged finishes, expressive forms, and strong old-world character.
Shutter Dogs
Decorative iron hardware once used to hold shutters open, now collected for its craftsmanship and unusual shapes.
Silent Butlers
Small lidded pans originally used to collect table crumbs and now appreciated as charming decorative antiques.
White Ironstone
Simple white pottery known for its sturdy forms, creamy finish, and ability to mix easily with almost anything.
Wine Tasting Tables
Low French tables with tilting tops designed for wine tasting, storage, and easy movement between rooms.
