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Questions & Answers
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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Pair of Late Art Deco Italian Table Lamps in Brass and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of table lamps, glass, brass, Italy, 1940s Charming pair of Italian table lamps in the style of Barovier & Toso, circa 1940s. Featuring elegant brass frames with beautifull...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Lounge Chairs Oak and Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Studio, armchairs, oak, fabric, Italy, 1930s Designed by Ernesto Valabrega for Vittorio Valabrega Studio in the 1930s, this set of lounge ch...
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Oak

Scandinavian Adjustable Dining Table in Cherry Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, cherry wood, Scandinavia, 1980s A size-adjustable dining table where function meets enduring quality. Designed with multiple extension leaves, it effortlessly adapts t...
Category

Vintage 1980s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Cherry

Rare Gio Ponti Custom Corner Sofa in Pierre Frey Rose and Off-White Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gio Ponti sofa, reupholstered in "Georges" velvet by Pierre Frey fabric, walnut, Italy, 1960s Beautiful sofa by Gio Ponti. This particular sofa breathes the luxurious feel of well-b...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Early Pierre Chapo 'Godot' L 01 I Daybed in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, 'Godot' daybed, model 'L 01 I', solid elm, fabric, France, 1959 This daybed is an early edition designed by the French designer and master woodworker Pierre Chapo (192...
Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Fabric, Elm

Early and Rare Ado Chale 'Relief d'Agate' Coffee Table in Bronze Mosaic
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ado Chale, 'Relief d'Agate' coffee table, bronze, lacquered steel, Belgium, ca. 1980 This Relief d'Agate coffee table is a very rare and early piece by Ado Chale, and showcases exce...
Category

Vintage 1980s Belgian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze, Steel

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