This year I noticed a trend in current social/moral values that may affect the value of the antiques I sell. I think that the current culture of "disposable belongings" that has evolved with the Wal-Mart bargain shopping is affecting how the value of an antique is perceived.
First, defining values. According to Wikipedia a "cultural value" is:
A principle value is a foundation upon which other values and measures of integrity are based. Values are considered subjective and vary across people and cultures. Types of values include ethical/moral values, doctrinal/ideological (political, religious) values, social values, and aesthetic values. It is debated whether some values are intrinsic. ......
And an "economic value" is:
The economic value of something is how much a desired object or condition is worth relative to other objects or conditions. Economic values are expressed as "how much" of one desirable condition or commodity will, or would be given up in exchange for some other desired condition or commodity.....
So we have "moral values" which is behavior important to a culture or person. Behavior that defines them as a people, and we have "economic value" which puts a price on an object (or behavior?) in relation to the surrounding culture.
So how does this apply to antiques? We seem to be at the height of what I call the "culture of disposable possessions". I have noticed for the last few years that people love to buy things cheaply so they can throw the item away when they get tired of it, and just start over. Many people seem to throw away entire households, and just start new. New furniture, appliances, etc. I believe an entire generation has been raised with this cultural value, "buy it cheap, and throw it out when it gets old or boring".
This has an affect on the perceived "economic" value of an antique. After all, what is an antique in a society where all possessions are disposable? Will there be antiques in the future? Does the current generation have any respect to an antique? Or is it just old and boring?
I have seen many antique stores close their doors the last four years due to lack of consumer interest. Is it because the current generation has very few collectors, or historians who see value in an antique? I can see the generation gap when I go to a flea market. Most of the vendors are near retirement age. I see very few young antique dealers. It could be because there is no longer a perceived societal value in something old. I hope not. I love antiques and collectibles because of the stories they tell me about the past.
I hope that returns to our societies cultural values soon.
