Antiques: yesterday's heritage in today's home

What is antique?

An object is officially called antique when it is more than one hundred years old. But antique is more than just an age limit — it is a testament to durability, craftsmanship, and beauty that has stood the test of time. Where modern products are designed for rapid consumption, antique pieces were made to last for centuries.

Europe: from Baroque to Art Nouveau

The European antique tradition is rich and varied. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Baroque style dominated — opulent, symmetrical, and full of ornament. Think of gilded mirrors, heavily carved furniture, and ornate silverware from France, England, and the Netherlands. The 19th century brought the neo-styles — Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance — followed by the organic lines of Art Nouveau around 1900.

The Netherlands has its own rich antique tradition: Delft pottery, VOC silver, Amsterdam canal house furniture, and Frisian tail clocks are just a few examples of the heritage preserved in Dutch homes and auction houses.

Asian antiques: a thousand years of refinement

Asian antiques are among the most coveted in the world. Chinese porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties, Japanese lacquerware and bronze incense burners, Indian ivory miniatures — each piece bears witness to a civilization that perfected art and craft. It is no coincidence that European monarchs were collectors of Asian antiques for centuries.

Antique silver and gold

Precious metal has always combined status and beauty. Antique silverware — from teapots and candlesticks to cutlery and cups — was crafted by silversmiths who considered their profession a calling. Each piece bears hallmarks that reveal the maker, the year, and the city of origin: a passport through time.

Furniture and interiors

Antique furniture is the backbone of a classic interior. A Louis XV armchair, a Biedermeier secretaire, a Victorian chesterfield — each piece tells something about the taste and life of the people who used it. Antique furniture is also more durable than most modern alternatives: made of solid wood, hand-joined, and finished.

Why buy antiques?

Buying antiques is investing in quality, history, and sustainability. It is the most ecological way of living — no new raw materials, no factory emissions, no throwaway mentality. And every piece is unique: there is no second example exactly like yours.

Antiques at 2nd Hand Bargain

At 2nd Hand Bargain, we expertly select antique and old objects that deserve a new home. From ornate European silverware to Asian curiosities — each piece is carefully inspected and fairly priced. Discover our offerings and give a piece of history a place in your life.