Antiques and Bygones is a member of the South African Antique Dealers Association (SAADA)

Antiques

The definition of antique varies from source to source, product to product and year to year however, some time-tested definitions of "antique" are as follows:

-  "An item which is at least 100 years old and is collected or desirable due to rarity, condition, utility, or some other unique feature. Another general rule of thumb is 75 years for most objects to become antiques."

"Antiquing" is the act of shopping, identifying, negotiating, or bargaining for antiques. Items can be bought for personal use, gifts, and in the case of brokers and dealers, profit. Antiquing is performed at garage sales,estate sales, and international auction houses

Note that the word "antiquing" may also refer to the art of making an object appear antique through distressing or applying an antique looking paint application

The term antiquarian refers to a person interested in antiquities , or things of the past

Many collectors use pieces in their homes, and also care for them with the hope that they will hold their value or possibly appreciate in value over time. This is in contrast to buying new furniture which will depreciate in value from the moment it is purchased.