My husband returned from the cabin yesterday afternoon and we went to a cafe close by for dinner. Then he watched a marathon of Antique Road Shows on TV, while we waited to pick up our younger daughter and her boyfriend from the subway. We had a long talk about how often we'd seen anything on the Roadshow that we would actually want - rarely - for both of us. Some items are fascinating, but I wouldn't pay money to own them. Last night we saw a midcentury modern black dining table that we both liked, but would not go anywhere in our house. I sometimes see Native American baskets or artifacts I covet, but I could not afford them. Once in the blue moon there is a painting I like. I love rugs, but rarely see one I'd have. The furniture is mostly impossible, the lamps gaudy, the pottery too this or that. The jewelry, no, not my thing. Tapistries - I don't think so! Civil war or gun anything - no way Jose! Samplers, those scary antique dolls and the like, who collects those and why? Silver, no, jade, no, Tiffany anything, no, as they all look like reproductions but if you break them, tragedy.
Do I think the owners' reactions are sincere? Only one in a hundred. Are they all going to treasure their find more? Most are heading straight to the auction house, give me a break.
I can see you can tell I'm slightly cynical, which is why mostly I don't watch and my husband does. What is fascinating is the range of stuff collected and the stories around the find or handing down of the item. It's a storybook on TV. And a good way to get some knitting done.
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