Antique Overload

Patina is a word you will hear repeated over and over in the antique world. It can be a confusing term, especially for newcomers to the antique world. In this post, I will try to explain what patina is to help eliminate some of the confusion related to the term. Patina, which has a dual pronunciation, (pat-n-uh or puh-tee-nuh) is basically everything (man-made or natural) that happens to a piece or item as it ages. In the antique furniture world, patina could be anything from nicks and scratches in table legs to discolorations and water stains on wood surfaces, or even worn off polish on the arms of a wooden chair.

In the past, we have noticed that customers who have less experience in the antique world can confuse patina with a piece being damaged. It is easy to misunderstand the value of a piece with ‘flaws’. What many don’t understand is that the flaws in a piece, most times, are what make it unique and give it value. One of the best ways to tell that your piece is a genuine antique is by the presence of imperfections. They are the proof that your antique has been around for decades, or even centuries.

Patina is what gives each piece its own personality and character. Israel Sack, a famous New York antiques dealer used a great analogy to help explain the importance and value of patina in antiques. One day, one of his patrons entered his shop. She was in her older years, and was curious as to the significance or meaning of patina. He responded, “Today you are a lovely woman of 60. However, who you are today is not who you were when you were 20. The difference is patina.” This beautiful analogy sums it up. When antique shopping, an experienced purchaser will not be looking for a piece that is in perfect condition. They will be judging the piece, in large part, by the quality of its patina. If a piece “lacks patina,” normally this means that an object lacks character.

I hope that this post helps any who have been confused as to the meaning or importance of patina realize its importance. When you buy an antique and it shows up at your door, look in great detail at the piece and realize that it has been passed down from generation to generation. Realize it has a rich history behind it. Cherish it for what it has gone through to make it to your home. Love its character.

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Click on each picture to enlarge and view an example of patina.

1. Notice the slight crack along the top of the picture that has been repaired.

2. Notice the cracking in the tile that has occurred with age. It looks very much like veins in the ceramic.

3. Notice the slight discoloration on the surface of the table. It proves that it has been used, and adds value to the piece.