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Antiques—not to be confused with vintage—are a beautiful way to add historic charm to your home, but finding authentic pieces can be a challenge in today’s market if you don’t know what to look for.
It’s not uncommon to find a fake version of a favorite antique after months of searching, which is why we took matters into our own hands and asked three vintage shopping experts for their top tips when looking for real antiques instead of fakes.
Here, we share six of our most useful tips that you should apply on your next shopping trip.
What is antique?
Antiques are objects (furniture, decorative items, art, etc.) that are over 100 years old. They are often confused with antiques, which are objects that are less than 100 years old.
Read more about antiques
According to our experts, the best way to start looking for authentic antiques is to know what you’re looking for through books, as books are also beautiful decorative objects.
“The best advice for people looking for antiques is to start reading books about furniture and learn about different styles, periods, and how to tell the real thing from a reproduction,” says Willow Wright, owner of Urban Redeux.
Reading about how to find antiques will not only give you a better understanding of specific items from certain periods, but you will also learn from the pros their top tips for spotting real versus antique. If you are new to antiques, this method can be extremely helpful in learning more about the materials, finishes, and details that differentiate them from fakes.
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Look for special details
Since antiques are often old (in a good way), they have special details that assert their exclusivity if you know what special details to spot.
“When shopping for furniture, look for details like mortise and tenon joints, square nails, and rough-hewn undersides that show handcrafted craftsmanship,” says Jennifer L. Prince, owner of It’s FOUND Vintage. “Older pots and vases often have slight irregularities or even dents on the inside that show that they were handcrafted rather than mass-produced through molds.”
If you’re looking for antique paintings, Reyne Hirsch, owner of Dallas Auction Galleries, recommends looking at the back of the painting. Hirsch says to try to see what kind of material is being used to hold the painting in place and what the weight and quality of the painting is like.
Trust your intuition
In a world of mass reproductions, don’t ignore the intuition you may have when looking for authentic antiques. If something doesn’t feel right when buying vintage, trust your instincts and never be afraid to pass on a sketchy item.
Hirsch says since counterfeits are everywhere, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Unfortunately, beyond the specific item you’re thinking of buying, sometimes the sellers themselves need to be evaluated to see if they’re legit and selling authentic items. Always ask the seller questions about repairability (and ask to see proof, while you’re at it), where the item came from, and any additional information they can tell you about the item. If they seem uninformed, that’s probably a sign you don’t want to pass up.
Searching for authenticity
One of the biggest signs that an antique is authentic is that it will have a maker’s mark somewhere on the item. Depending on the item you’re looking at, you may find these marks on the underside or back.
Don’t be afraid to research
Think you’ve found the real thing but aren’t 100% sure? Prince says you can always use your favorite search engine to double-check the timestamp of the piece.
“A big advantage these days is having a mini computer in your pocket,” Prince says. “Make sure you have Google Lens on your phone, it’s been really helpful for me. I’ve learned a lot about an item that way. A quick scan helps determine the time period, the manufacturer, and whether there are any counterfeits.”
Shop only at trusted stores
Since antiques can be found everywhere, Hirsch recommends buying from a reputable dealer or looking for stores that have been in business for a long time. If they specialize in the particular era of antiques you’re looking for, that’s even better.
While it’s good to know there are places nearby that can help you find your next antique, Wright says there’s one thing you need to do before you go shopping.
“The key to finding valuable pieces is having some knowledge of the area,” she says. “To discover the best pieces, you have to know what you’re looking for. Buyers and collectors have a certain responsibility to be knowledgeable about their tastes.”
