My how times have changed in our households. Modern appliances and other inventions have afforded us conveniences that our predecessors didn’t have. Don’t you sometimes wonder what things were like a century or two ago?

Explore the past by looking at these vintage wares and try to figure out what they were used for. Some of these objects were more common during certain historical periods, or in particular parts of the world. Though they all share the same status of being antiques, you may find one or two of these items still in use.

Scroll down this list and see if you recognize any of them. You may find yourself gaining a small educational experience!

1. Was Used for Smelling. . .

   Vinegar-laced aromatics. During the 18th and 19th centuries when sanitary conditions were deplorable, ladies carried vinaigrette boxes containing concoctions like smelling salts or a vinegar solution. This helped to stave off germs and nasty smells.

2. A Plucking Tool . . .

   Made for apples. This is an antique apple picker.

3. For Browning. . .

   Both sides of your bread. Toast anyone?

4. When Things Didn’t Add Up. . .

   You could use this machine. It’s not a cash register, but an early version of the calculator.

5. Was and Still is a Floor Saver . . .

   Because it scrapes mud off the bottoms of shoes and boots. You can still find these in some places!

6. Helps with Lighting Flames. . .

   By keeping your matches dry. This may look like a lighter, but it’s called a match safe or vesta box. These were handy in the mid 19th century and were usually carried in one’s pocket.

7. Nothing Beat a Good Wood. . .

   Sock stretcher that was needed after socks were washed. It helped prevent shrinking in socks and stockings.

8. You Had to Crank this Up. . .

   In order to clean and sharpen knives. Popular in 19th century England, this knife sharpener still fetches a nice amount at auctions.

9. Kept Things Nice and Warm. . .

   At bedtime that is! Bed warmers like this one were filled with boiling water and used to keep warm during the winter. Today, we have electric blankets and central heating. Yay!

If you didn’t recognize any of these objects, it’s okay! You’re not alone. We’re living in a tech-focused world where something that’s five to ten years old is considered “vintage”.

You could have a family member or two with some of these household items in their possession. Perhaps you have one of these in your house but never knew what it was. If so, look into their worth. Collectors and museums would love to get their hands on some of these beauties to put on display in their personal collections.

It’s interesting to compare what was needed in the past with what’s being used today. Vinaigrette boxes? Today we have sprays. Sock stretcher? There’s the low heat cycle on the dryer. A few decades from now, someone will be saying the same about our time period. Save your stuff!

Are you familiar with anything on this list? Which caught your eye? Do you like to collect antiques?