antique. The term has been used collectively to designate classical Greek and Roman works of art, particularly sculptures; as an adjective to indicate an object, a period, or a style of ancient or early times; and as a noun, for objects of art, furniture, rugs, pottery, metalwork, costumes, jewelry, and household goods of early production and for old artifacts generally. The demand and prices paid for antiques have led to the widespread making of reproductions and reconstructions, some with spurious marks of age. See antique collecting. For a description of the characteristics of various styles, see Directoire, Empire, Louis period, and régence styles.
See L. Rosenstein, Antiques: The History of an Idea (2008).
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Arts and Crafts
