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Why people collect antiques Collecting antiques is becoming an extremely widespread pastime for more and more individuals. This, perhaps, is due to the fact that Baby Boomers are reaching their prime antique collecting years. However, there is a history behind this mania that goes far beyond the demographic trends of today's society. The act of collecting antiques dates back to ancient times. This pleasure was limited, unlike today, to only the wealthiest and most well-respected elite in society. Ancient artefacts were often acquired by conquering war heroes from the somewhat weaker societies. Auctions for this booty, which often included deceptive fakes, date as far back as Imperial Rome. Although many people would attend the auctions, only noblemen and high-ranking officials could afford the high-priced items. It was the scarcity of items created by the uniqueness of production and the geographical restrictions on commerce that made antiques so valuable. Ancient collectors thought that their collections would assist them in their passage to the afterworld. This belief in the afterworld often single-handedly drove the demand for collecting. Perhaps they were right. Even today, people measure the status of ancient society members by the quality and number of items in their tombs. Art, in particular, was an important status symbol. Over time, as a greater percentage of the masses began to share in the wealth of the world, the upper echelons of the middle classes began to collect artefacts to display evidence of their upward mobility. However, it was not until the Industrial Revolution that the average person could participate in the hobby. Regardless of this newfound democracy in antique collecting, only the upper classes could still afford the finer pieces. This additional class of people in the antique collecting community has brought the antique world to its current status. It is a world where status is determined by the breadth, width, and quality of a person's collection. The elite still distinguish themselves from the masses with the rarity and quality of their collections. However, they no longer are alone in their love of antiques. The above was written using information from Discovering Antiques: A Guide to the World of Antiques and Collectables by Eric Knowles and Basic Book of Antiques & Collectables by George Michael. |
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