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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.
Pejoratively
The term "antique" is pejorative in some instances to imply that something is out of date.
Definition
The definition of antique varies from source to source, product to product, and year to year. However, some time-tested definitions of antique deserve consideration, such as the following:
- "An item which is at least 50 to 100 years old and is collected or desirable due to rarity, condition, utility, or some other unique feature. Motor vehicles, power tools and other items subject to vigorous use in contrast, may be considered antiques in the U.S. if older than 25 years, and some electronic gadgets of more recent vintage may be considered antiques."
- "Any piece of furniture or decorative object or the like produced in a former period and valuable because of its beauty or rarity."
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