"What are Antiques?"   In practice, the definition of an antique mean   different things to different people.  'An antique is an item that was made   more  than 100 years ago' is a commonly heard definition.

  Emyl Jenkin's Appraisal Book, Identifying, Understanding and Valuing   your Treasures suggests that, "an antique is distinguished by its   handcrafted uniqueness and fine quality, and was made before 1820   or  1830."  She indicates that by 1830 hand-carved furniture, hand-beaten   silver,  hand-etched and blown glass were replaced by manufactured pieces   and being  sent from New England via train or boat to Kentucky, Florida,   Canada, or   California. 

  While we recognize the 'purity' of this definition, we also know it excludes   most  pieces bought and sold in the 'antiques' marketplace today.  

  From our perspective, most quality American 'Country' Antiques were not   made in New England.  Immigrants brought their craftsmanship skills with   them  to this country and from larger cities along the East Coast moved ever   westward with our frontiers.  Many were highly skilled and proved   themselves  very adaptable to frontier needs and available resources.  This   'country' flavor  imparts a unique value and appreciation to such    pieces.  We define  'country' antiques to be hand crafted pieces of   good to fine quality made at least into the1860's, before the circular   saw became generally available in the  countryside.  Country antiques   vary greatly in refinement and quality - they  range from  'primitive' to 'fine'   period pieces.