For those who buy antiques & collectables here’s a timeline list of the historical periods and dates in history that are often used by the antiques trade when describing an item.
Collectable Antique and Vintage
You’ll often come across items for sale that describe the object as ‘Antique’ or ‘Vintage’, this is vague in terms of an actual date, even in the broad sense the definition can be somewhat ambiguous. Here in the UK an antique is described as something older than a 100 years, however the term ‘Vintage’ is somewhat less determined but can usually be considered of an age between 40 or 50 years old.
Periods and Style
Using this in a description helps narrow down the date of manufacture or when it was made but does not precisely date an item. For example, an item of furniture could be described as ‘William and Mary’ (see table below) that would give a date range of 1690 to 1730, not precise but good enough to pin down an era. Other countries may have different definations so no matter where you are, ultimately you have to decide if indeed the item is of the period as described.
The Prehistoric Period
An age where little or no written materials exists, ancient humans of the Paleolithic period are the first known to have left behind evidence in the form of art, cave drawings being an example. Basic hand carved tools crafted from bone and stone were used for hunting, they also carved figurines from stone, clay, bone and antlers. During the Mesolithic period arrows and spears were developed, and in the later Neolithic period, ancient humans developed items for use in agriculture (adzes) as well as early forms of pottery. Artifacts from these periods are more likely to be in museums rather than in private collections.
Bronze and Iron Age
Artifacts, items and coinage from this era ( 3000 BC – 100 AD) are not uncommon and the choice for the collector is varied. Precisely dating an object is not an exact science however through research, study and modern dating techniques we can ascribe rough periods in which they were produced, coins being the exception with more accurate dates.
Roman Britain
The Roman invasion (55- 54 BC) led to an occupancy which lasted nearly 450 years. On a technical level they brought with them many skills, and on a personal level items of adornment and beauty. Their range of coinage minted both here in Britain and in Europe was vast. For the collector this means that there is a huge range of Romano British items readily available to buy on the open market.
Henry VII
1485-1509
Henry VIII
1509-1547
EdwardVI
1547-1553
Mary I
1553-1558
Elizabeth I
1558-1603
James I
1603-1625
Charles I
1625-1649
Charles II
1660-1685
Charles II
1660-1685
William III
1689-1702
Mary II
1689-1694
Anne
1702-1714
Georgian
1714-1830
George I
1714-1727
George II
1727-1760
George III
1760-1820
Regency period between
1811-1820
George IV
1820-1830
Windsor 1910
George V
1910-1936
Edward VIII
1936
George VI
1936-1952
Elizabeth II
1952-
Style Types and Periods (Furniture)
Elizabethan – 1520–1620 – England
(also known as the ‘Renaissance’ period)
Jacobean – 1603–1625 – England
Carolean or Restoration – 1660–1685 – England
William and Mary – 1690–1730 – England
Queen Anne – 1702–1760 – England
Georgian – 1714–1830 – England
Rococo – 1730–1770 – Austria, Britain, France, Germany
Gothic Revival – 1740–1900 Britain, United States
Neo-Classical (1750–1830) – Britain, France, Italy, United States
Regency (1762–1830) – Britain, France
Victorian (1830–1900) – England
Arts & Crafts / Art Nouveau (1880–1910) – Britain, Japa, Mainland Europe, North America
Edwardian (1901–1910) England
Art Deco (1920–1940) – France, Paris, Europe
Mid Century Modern (1950 – 1970) – Scandinavia