Antique and period furniture
The word "antique" gets stuck on many pieces that never earned it. So before choosing anything it is worth knowing what real age means, how to recognise it and what to ask the seller. Below are the rules we work by, followed by the pieces in stock that fit.
Antique, period, vintage: what each one means
In common use, a piece is antique if it is over 100 years old and vintage if it is between 20 and 100. "Period" describes a genuine piece from a recognisable era, such as Art Deco or the nineteenth century, whether or not it has passed the 100-year mark. The difference matters for price and for what to expect: an antique almost certainly shows signs of repair, while a vintage piece is more often close to its original condition.
How we talk about age
Martello does not manufacture furniture: it selects one-off old pieces and describes them as they are. We use the word "antique" only for a piece that is genuinely over a century old. The rest are vintage or classically inspired, and where we cannot prove the exact age we say so rather than assume it. We do not sell reproductions under the name of antiques.
What shows the real age of a piece
The hardest signs to fake are the ones you cannot see from the front: the underside and the back, unfinished and darkened by time; joints cut by hand and slightly irregular; tool marks on hidden wood; wear exactly where hands and feet touch rather than evenly across the surface. A round tabletop that has become slightly oval over time is a good sign: wood shrinks across its width, not along its length. We explain all of these in detail in our guide to recognising authentic antique furniture.
What should not worry you in an old piece
Patina, small scratches, a door that needs adjusting or a finish worn at the edges are part of the charm of a piece that has lived for a hundred years. What should make you stop: wood shedding fresh sawdust (active insect infestation), joints that move, a smell of mould, and pieces so heavily "restored" that nothing original is left. Good restoration keeps the old wood and strengthens it; it does not hide it under new varnish.
Frequently asked questions
From what age is a piece considered antique?
As a rule, from 100 years upwards. Below that it is called vintage (between 20 and 100 years). The term "period" shows that the piece is genuine from a particular era.
How can I tell it is not a reproduction?
Look at the back and underside, at the joints and at how the wood is worn. Reproductions usually have perfectly even joints, identical wear across the whole surface and fresh wood where it does not show from the front. Our blog guide goes through each in turn.
Can I check the piece before paying?
Yes. You can come to the showroom near Chisinau, or receive the piece at home and check it on the spot in front of the person delivering it. If it is not as in the photos, you refuse it and pay nothing. Payment is on delivery.
Do you always have antique pieces in stock?
No. Every piece is one of a kind and, once sold, it does not come back. Genuinely old pieces appear rarely and leave quickly, so if you have something specific in mind it is worth writing to us.
Want to see the pieces in person?
Call or message us and we will tell you what is in stock right now. Every piece is unique, and once sold it is never repeated.