antiquarianism

Antiquarianism refers to the study or collection of antiquities, which are objects of historical and aesthetic value. Historically, this term primarily encompassed artifacts from ancient Greece and Rome, but it has expanded to include decorative arts from all past eras and places.12

The market for what is now considered antique was minimal until the 19th century. The Gothic Revival and Romantic antiquarianism in England fueled an increasing appreciation for these items. Collectors like Horace Walpole furnished their homes with antiques, a trend that paralleled on the Continent with figures such as Alexandre du Sommerard, founder of the Cluny Museum. This growing interest led to the emergence of dealers specializing in secondhand goods and influenced design, with manufacturers using old silver as a source for new products. By the late 19th century, collecting shifted from aristocratic to plutocratic patrons, with American collectors becoming significant players in the antiques and art markets.3