Collector insurance

AHHH! You hit on an area near and dear to my heart.   Yes, the government does use 100 years as the difference between old and antique.  And you can be required to prove the age of the item to get a break on an item.  An item proven to be an antique can generally be imported duty free.  That is my area of interest.  

What and how your, or an insurance company classfies an item, is on a case by case basis.   Best to check with your insurer, or be specific with whomever you are trying with for a policy.  The old better safe than sorry policy.

On a side note, the definition of art as applied by the government, and what you would like to call art for duty free status, can be at different ends of the spectrum.  Also the term native handicraft.

[Pat Pixley]

Lala, Check with your local antique dealer sometime's
 they will do it for a price.
  Pat  '>