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Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions

What is the difference between antique and retro?

1 Answer
What is the difference between antique and retro?
The difference between antique and retro is the age of the pieces that the terms describe. Antique is the term for jewelry, furniture, home goods and decorative objects that are 100 years old or older. Anything between 20 and 99 years old is vintage, while things produced in the last 20 years are contemporary. Retro means that something looks like it's from another era. In some cases, an item described as retro may actually be an antique or vintage piece, or it may be a contemporary item inspired by the design styles of the past. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture.
1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
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Office Chair, International Style Leather Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office. ...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

Office Chair, International Style Leather Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom spends long hours in the office...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather

White Surfer Bookcase, Bookshelves, Design object
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
"Add a Touch of Contemporary Artistry to Your Space with the White Surfer Bookcase Bookshelves Design Object Elevate your interior decor with the White...
Category

2010s Turkish Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Office Chair, International Style Wooden Office Chair
Located in İstanbul, İstanbul
Darwin added wheels to the office chair in 19th century. In the 1970s ergonomics was added to design criteria. Today, it is the key element for whom sp...
Category

2010s Turkish International Style Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Oak, Walnut

1950s Italian Curved Brass and Opaline Glass Sconces
Located in Rome, IT
A refined pair of Italian wall sconces from the 1950s, defined by a light and organic composition that combines brass and opaline glass. Each sconce features a circular brass wall pl...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

beautiful Murano Glass Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Italy, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An elegant 1970s Murano glass flush mount handcrafted in Italy. The fixture features beautifully textured, hand-blown Murano glass resting on a white lacquered metal base, creating a...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount

Materials

Metal

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