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National Cherish An Antique Day

Ask the older members of your family about the histories behind the antiques in your home. Clocks, dishware, jewelry and more can hold surprising stories.

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Connect collectors and families with antique dealers, appraisers, and heritage preservation services by positioning April as the month to uncover and celebrate family heirlooms.

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Share your family's antique story: post photos of inherited treasures with their histories
Appraisal guides: help customers identify and value items in their homes
Antique dealer spotlights: feature local shops and online marketplaces for collectors
Preservation tips: teach proper care for vintage furniture, jewelry, and dishware

History

While all forms of history can be preserved, antiques can provide a unique perspective of how people cherish and maintain their antiques in their own homes.

Antiques specifically refer to the preclassical and classical cultures of the ancient world. People began to collect antiques around the 16th century when English and European collectors would flourish with rarities. However, these collectors would exist among the upper-class members of the late Renaissance society. It wasn’t until the 18th century that both public and private members would begin to collect antiques.

This began to happen alongside the development of art and the science of archaeology. During the 18th century, many movements to preserve authentic antiques. These antiques included books, possessions, and mementos left by family members. They became quite popular among people who would become collectors.

From there, antiques not only became valued for their history but also their connection to families. National Cherish An Antique Day acknowledges people who collect antiques from all over the world.

It gives people the chance to explore the world of antiques through museums and antique shops. It also allows those with antiques to look into the history of their families and appreciate the stories behind their lives.

It’s also a day to thank those who aim at repairing antiques and bringing life back into them. So take the time to clean your antiques, ask your relatives what they are, and appreciate the antiques of your home on this day.

How to celebrate

Renaissance Cabinets of Curiosities

European princes and scholars begin assembling “cabinets of curiosities” that mix natural wonders, artworks, and ancient objects, laying early foundations for the taste for collecting antiques.

British Museum Opens to the Public

The British Museum was founded in London to house the collections of Sir Hans Sloane and others, making classical antiquities and historic artifacts accessible to a wider public and inspiring interest in collecting old objects. [1]

Rise of the Parisian Antique Trade

Dealers in Paris begin specializing in older furniture and decorative arts, and the term “antiquaire” comes into common use, signaling the emergence of a distinct profession focused on buying and selling antiques. [1]

United States Customs “100‑Year Rule” Emerges

U.S. tariff legislation adopts the practice of defining an “antique” as an item at least 100 years old for duty‑free import, a benchmark that shapes how collectors, dealers, and museums classify historic objects. [1]

First Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair

London’s Grosvenor House hosts a major vetted art and antiques fair, helping to professionalize the high‑end antiques market and giving collectors a central venue to find authenticated historic pieces. [1]

Debut of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow Radio Precursor

The BBC launches “Collectors’ Club” on radio, which discusses old objects and collectibles, and paves the way for the Antiques Roadshow TV format that later brings antique appreciation into millions of homes.

First Season of PBS Antiques Roadshow in the United States

Inspired by the British program, Antiques Roadshow premieres on PBS, turning family heirlooms and flea‑market finds into stories of history and value and greatly boosting popular interest in antiques across America.https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/about/history/

FAQ

How old does an item usually need to be to be considered an antique?

In the art and antiques trade, an item is commonly considered an antique if it is at least 100 years old, while “vintage” usually refers to items that are at least 20 to 40 years old but less than 100. Some customs and tax authorities, such as U.S. Customs and the European Union, also use the 100‑year rule for import classifications. However, certain specialties, like classic cars or mid‑century design, may use different age thresholds within their own markets.

What is the safest way for a beginner to clean and care for antiques at home?

Conservators generally recommend starting with the least aggressive approach, which means gentle dusting with a soft, lint‑free cloth or natural‑bristle brush and avoiding commercial polishes or sprays that can leave residues or damage original finishes. Antiques should be kept in stable conditions with moderate temperature and humidity, away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and damp areas. For fragile items such as textiles, paper, or gilded surfaces, experts advise handling with clean, dry hands, providing good support when lifting, and consulting a professional conservator before attempting any cleaning or repairs.

How can someone start researching the history of a family antique or heirloom?

Research often begins at home by recording any family stories, inscriptions, or labels associated with the object and carefully photographing it from multiple angles. From there, people can compare maker’s marks or hallmarks with reference books or online databases, check census records, city directories, or old photographs to trace ownership, and search local newspaper archives for mentions of similar objects or related events. Museums, historical societies, and appraisers can sometimes help identify style, period, and function, which then guides deeper research into when and where the item was likely made and used.

Why do two similar-looking antiques sometimes have very different values?

Value is shaped by more than age or appearance and is usually based on a mix of rarity, condition, historical importance, maker, and provenanced ownership. A piece that retains its original finish or upholstery, has a documented link to a notable person or event, or comes from a highly regarded maker or workshop, can be worth far more than a nearly identical but altered or undocumented example. Market trends also matter, as changing tastes and current collector demand can raise or reduce the price of particular styles or materials over time.

Are there legal or ethical issues to consider when buying antiques from other countries?

Buyers are encouraged to check whether an object might be protected cultural property, since many countries restrict the export of certain archaeological materials, sacred objects, or artworks of national importance. International agreements such as the 1970 UNESCO Convention and national laws in places like the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union regulate the trade in looted or illicitly exported artifacts and can require documentation that items were removed legally. Responsible collecting includes asking for clear provenance, export permits when relevant, and avoiding items that appear to come from recent looting or conflict zones.

Is it better to restore an antique to look “like new” or leave it in its original condition?

Conservation professionals generally favor minimal, reversible treatment that stabilizes an object while preserving as much original material and finish as possible, since heavy restoration can erase historical evidence and reduce scholarly and market value. Gentle repairs that prevent further damage, such as tightening loose joints or consolidating flaking paint, are often preferred over complete refinishing, reupholstering, or replacing large sections. In some cases, such as unsafe wiring in old lamps or structural issues in furniture, careful restoration is appropriate, but experts recommend documenting any changes and consulting a qualified conservator or restorer before major work is done.

What is the difference between an insurance appraisal and the price an antique might bring at auction?

An insurance appraisal typically reflects the replacement value, which is the estimated cost to replace an item with another of similar kind and quality in a retail setting, and this figure is often higher than what the object would sell for on the open market. Auction estimates, on the other hand, aim to predict the fair market value based on recent sale prices for comparable items under normal conditions between a willing buyer and seller. Because the purposes differ, reputable appraisers clearly state the type of value they are providing and use different methods and comparable data for each.[1]