Objects in collections always reflect the “gaze” of the collector, whether an individual or a museum. It is the interest, motivation, or focus of that particular collector that defines an acquisition and thus positions it [...]
A certified appraisal must include a physical inspection of the property. Photographs alone only scratch the surface of an object; they can't be trusted to capture any literal scratches there may be on its surface [...]
Many people today run away screaming when you even say the words “antique silver,” much less suggest they buy some for daily use in their homes. They may admit that although a table set with [...]
This is not a silver loving cup. When it was made by Thomas Law & Co. sometime between 1785 and 1807, neoclassicism was all the rage in English architecture, interior design, and “stylish” consumer goods, [...]
Welcome to my new blog, Thinking About Things! Here I'll tell the stories of some intriguing (and usually old) objects, explore a few mysteries surrounding our culture's common belongings, and ponder the deeper meanings that every [...]