Antiques are big business, but why is that? Do people simply like old things, or is there something more? What is it about antiques that makes people want them to the point where they are willing to pay more than if they had purchased the same thing new?
The Answer: History
History is our connection to the past and our legacy to the future. History is what makes us part of the continuous line of lives that make up existence. History tells us that we are not alone.
Each antique carries with it a collection of stories. Stories about the places its been and the people who have used it. When we look at an antique we don't simply see materials and craftsmanship, but environments and experiences. We absorb the life carried within the antique and leave behind some of our own. We share in the past and add to the future in an almost spiritual exchange.
It is this connection that makes antiques more valuable than new. Having a chair from Napoleon or a table from Jefferson truly connects us to history. Yet, a dresser from your great-grandmother makes the connection stronger and more intimate.
Mass produced furniture rarely takes on "sentimental" value. Why? Because it was made to be consumed. It was not created to carry value, but merely serve a function. Oftentimes, mass produced furniture is built with a limited lifespan; designed to be disposed. For this reason, very little furniture in homes today is looked upon fondly.
Handmade furniture, crafted using real wood is different. Where mass produced furniture appears cold and sterile, handcrafted furniture begs to be touched. Handcrafted furniture is unique, each piece has it’s own character that makes it more than an object. The idiosyncrasies of each piece show it’s personality.
In a world where life is constantly moving and changing roots are hard to hang on to. A piece of handmade furniture connects people, families, generations.
