History of Things
Fascinating stories about cult objects, brands and their creators. Emotional longreads about things with soul.
Articles (119)
Страница 6 из 6
The Art of Bookbinding: From Board to Board
Unlike modern standard publications, where content is valued above all, in the 17th-19th centuries, a book's 'attire' could say a lot about its owner. A luxurious binding was not only a work of art but also an indicator of material wealth.
History of ThingsCollector's Guide
Read More →
Restoration of the 1853 'Russian Alphabet': From Ruins to a Readable State
Alphabet books are valuable and rare publications that occupy a special niche in the world of antiquarian books. Their rarity is due to the fact that they were intended for children and were actively used, which is why most copies survive to this day in very poor condition.
History of ThingsExpertise
Read More →
Restaurierung des 400 Jahre alten 'Apostels': Die Wiedergeburt eines Buches von 1621
Zur Restaurierung kam ein einzigartiges Buch – der im Jahr 1621 gedruckte 'Apostel'. Zu Beginn der Arbeiten war sein Zustand kritisch: Der Einband war zerstört und die Seiten zerfielen buchstäblich in den Händen. Dieses Artefakt ist von besonderem historischen Wert, da es im frühen 17. Jahrhundert, noch vor der Kirchenreform des Patriarchen Nikon, gedruckt wurde.
History of ThingsExpertise
Read More →
An Antique Dealer's World: From 100-Year-Old Clocks to 70-Year-Old Wine
The most expensive item in the Pskov antique dealer's collection is a restored gold Swiss watch. It was made 100 years ago, but its mechanism is in perfect condition. The item's value is increased by an individual number on the case. In the shop, such a watch sells for almost 200,000 rubles.
History of ThingsCollector's Guide
Read More →
Restoration of the 1648 Apostle: The Rebirth of an Antique Book
A 17th-century church publication was brought in for restoration, its condition could only be described as deplorable. The book had undergone more than one repair, which left numerous and not always high-quality traces of intervention. The initial inspection revealed a number of serious damages.
History of ThingsExpertise
Read More →
Inversión en Antigüedades: Vidrieras y Pinturas sobre Vidrio
El arte de las vidrieras y la pintura sobre vidrio son dos disciplinas estrechamente relacionadas en el mundo de las antigüedades. Estos conceptos son complementarios, ya que las vidrieras a menudo incluyen elementos pintados, y una pintura sobre vidrio, a su vez, puede ser una vidriera independiente o parte de ella.
InvestmentsHistory of Things
Read More →
Results of the December 2023 Auction: Third Reich Items
In December 2023, the Carsten Zeige auction took place, featuring numerous items from the Third Reich period. This review examines some of the most interesting lots to provide an overview of the current pricing policies in the militaria market.
Auction NewsHistory of Things
Read More →
Review of Lots from the German Auction House Carsten Zeige
The Carsten Zeige auction house, known far beyond Germany, including in Russia, was previously located in Hamburg and has now moved to Berlin. Its distinctive feature is a wide range of offered items, capable of satisfying the interests of both collectors and enthusiasts of classic antiques and militaria.
Auction NewsHistory of Things
Read More →
Hargesheimer Auction Review: From Fabergé to Rare Icons
Reviews of sales from leading German auctions can serve several purposes. Firstly, they help navigate the wide selection of items offered at auction. Secondly, such reports provide insight into pricing in the German antique market.
Auction NewsHistory of Things
Read More →
The Cameo Service: A Masterpiece of the Sèvres Manufactory for Catherine II
This famous porcelain service has several names, each of which reflects a certain stage of its history. In Russia a hundred years ago, it was called the 'Blue Service,' while in late 18th-century France, it was known as the 'Russian Service'.
History of ThingsCollector's Guide
Read More →
Aus den Silberkammern: Die Pracht der russischen Kaisertafel vom 18. bis zum frühen 20. Jahrhundert
Festliche Bankette waren fester Bestandteil aller Feierlichkeiten am Hof der russischen Kaiser. Diese Mahlzeiten waren ein besonderes zeremonielles Ereignis, das den Reichtum und die Macht des Reiches zur Schau stellte. Der Eindruck wurde nicht nur durch die Fülle der Speisen, sondern auch durch die prunkvolle Dekoration der Tafeln geschaffen.
History of Things
Read More →
Valuable Items from the USSR That Could Be Worth a Fortune
In Soviet times, industrially produced clothing was often of low quality, so many families sewed their own clothes. This led to almost every home having a sewing machine. Unlike the clothing, the machines themselves were quite high-quality, although not always convenient to use.
History of ThingsCollector's Guide
Read More →
The World of Antiques: From Vintage Items to Priceless Artifacts
An antique gramophone from the turn of the 19th-20th centuries still works perfectly. Its characteristic crackle of the record allows you to feel the 'taste of time,' unlike the perfectly clean modern recordings. This feeling of touching the past is one of the main values that antique items hold.
History of ThingsCollector's Guide
Read More →
The Cigarette Case: From a Status Accessory to an Investment Item
The history of the cigarette case is inextricably linked to the advent of tobacco and the need to store it. Initially, simple pouches and bags served this purpose. Later, snuff boxes came into use, their appearance and material directly depending on the owner's wealth.
History of ThingsInvestments
Read More →
The Secrets of Masonic Orders: A Collector's Guide
Freemasonry, or the movement of free masons, is shrouded in numerous secrets, making its paraphernalia particularly appealing to collectors and investors. The primary interest lies in the signs and orders, which are not only collectible items but also potential objects for investment.
Collector's GuideHistory of Things
Read More →
Russian Icons in the West: The History of the Rise and Fall of Prices
In the mid-1980s, a unique situation developed in the Soviet Union's antiques market, especially in the icon segment. Due to the 'Iron Curtain,' the export of cultural treasures was extremely limited, and icons reached the West primarily through smuggling routes or diplomatic channels.
History of ThingsInvestments
Read More →
Schmuckfunde: Brosche von Anna Sui, Vintage aus Japan und eine hochwertige Imitation
Auf einem Trödelstand des Chatuchak-Marktes, inmitten eines Haufens kaputter Sachen, wurde eine interessante Brosche entdeckt. Obwohl ein Cabochon fehlte, erregte das Schmuckstück Aufmerksamkeit durch seine „Aurora Borealis“-Strasssteine, die ihm einen besonderen Retro-Chic verleihen.
History of ThingsCollector's Guide
Read More →
Films About Antiques: From Documentary Investigations to Crime Dramas
There are many films dedicated to the theme of antiques and collecting. A special place on this list is occupied by domestic, predominantly Soviet, motion pictures. In these unstable times, watching such films can be a real balm for the soul, allowing one to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of the past.
Collector's GuideHistory of Things
Read More →
Die Ethik des Antiquitätenhandwerks: Zwischen Geschäft und Moral
Das Antiquitätengeschäft ist nicht nur ein Business, sondern vielmehr ein Handwerk, das nicht nur Wissen und Können, sondern auch Liebe zum Handelsgegenstand erfordert. Viele Akteure auf diesem Markt wachsen aus Sammlern heraus, anfangs angetrieben von einer Leidenschaft für eine bestimmte Richtung oder für das Altertum im Allgemeinen. Das unterscheidet sie beispielsweise von Verkäufern von Waschmaschinen, die ihre Ware nicht unbedingt lieben müssen.
Collector's GuideHistory of Things
Read More →