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The value of an antique is dependent on condition, rarity, authenticity, and market demand. It is also determined by age. The U.S. Customs defines an antique as an object one hundred years old or older. This legal ruling is for revenue purposes of import and export.

For dealers and appraisers, age is a general guideline, not a hard and fast rule. The age of an item has less to do with its value than do condition, rarity, authenticity and market demand.

It is in the legal realm that age is the primary factor.

The age, then, of a piece becomes relevant to value only if the item or genre of item was around one hundred years ago. This goes to authenticity. In the business of dealing in and appraising antiques, the term antique takes on a much looser definition, but use of the word in a professional appraisal can add value to the piece.

Another important factor is provenance. Provenance is the history of ownership of an item, and/or the origin or manufacture. If the history of an object includes ownership by an historical figure, or is in someway associated with an historical event, the value increases.

Age, for purposes of authenticity, and history, then, are two major factors to consider when determining the value of an antique. The third factor, which is no less important, is condition. Condition does not necessarily mean pristine. Certain pottery, for example, should exhibit surface crackle, as well as have a few chips and faults. These so called imperfections are an element of age, and can be very difficult to fake. The piece, though, be it pottery, silver, furniture or artwork, should be in reasonable condition. Silver with copper showing through is less valuable, for example. And a three-legged chair is a three-legged chair and not much use to anyone, unless it proves to be George Washington's chair. History then, not condition, would be the overriding factor.

While these above mentioned aspects lay the foundation for value, the market usually has the final say. An item is worth what someone will pay for it. This element of valuation, though, can be ambiguous. An art deco vase may sell for twelve hundred dollars at auction when art deco is hot, but sell for half that amount a year later.

Rarity of an item also plays an important part when looking at market value. The availability of an item, or ones like it, is one of the greatest influences on this aspect of value. The above mentioned art deco vase may have lost market value when several estates

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