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AN-TIQUE (an-teek)
An object having
special value because of its age, especially a domestic item, piece of
furniture or decorative arts object esteemed for its artistry, beauty,
mechanical ingenuity, or period of origin. |
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The
Antiques Almanac, a five-edition-per-year online magazine for beginning and
intermediate antiques collectors and those just interested in finding out about
old things, is your first stop on the Web in your search for information
about antiques and collectibles. Here, you’ll find articles on a variety
of American and international antiques, including furniture, china,
glass, silver, and other decorative arts from the Colonial, Empire,
Victorian, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco Periods, plus vintage and modern
collectibles, interesting historical facts, antique tips, and
recommendations for caring for your collections. Come back often to see
what's new. And be sure to tell your friends about us.
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This
edition's
theme:
"Roman Arts and Culture"
Volume 18 No. 1
This edition features articles about
the arts and culture of the Roman Empire.
In all the articles in this edition dates will depict either BCE (Before
the Christian Era - formerly BC) and CE (Christian Era - formerly AD).
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Back to the
Classics
The Romans based
their furniture on earlier models that the Greeks based on
mathematically expressed laws of proportion that they
applied not only to buildings as a whole but also to much of
their interior decoration.
More Antiques Articles |
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Ancient Pottery for
Everday Use
For
everyday use, the ancient Romans relied on sturdy terracotta
vessels which they produced in large quantities to serve
people in the far reaches of the Empire. Unlike the Greeks
and the Etruscans, the Romans didn’t produce decorative
ceramics.
More
Collectibles Articles |
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Innovation in Glass
Glass, especially functional and decorative glass vessels,
was a part of everyday life in the Roman Empire. Artisans
experimented with glass-making techniques and applied
innovation to take the art of glass-making even further.
Glass shifted from a luxury item to everyday object, yet
retained its decadence.
More
Special Features
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Useful Works of Art
Back before wallpaper,
carpeting, and paintings on canvases, the Romans used
mosaics to decorate and enhance the interiors of their homes
and public buildings Not only were their mosaics beautiful
works of art, but they were also an invaluable record of
everyday items, such as clothes, food, tools, weapons, flora
and fauna. They also revealed much about Roman activities
like gladiator contests, sports, agriculture, hunting, and
sometimes they even captured the Romans, themselves, in
detailed and realistic portraits.
More
Antique Spotlights
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Brooches, Bracelets, Rings,
and More
The ancient
Romans, both men and women, loved to adorn themselves with
gold, colored gemstones and glass. The ancient Greeks, on
the other hand, preferred fine quality metalwork in gold or
silver. Most Romans were highly conscious of how they
presented themselves in public. Both men and women
frequently used body ornamentation to demonstrate their
wealth, power, influence, and knowledge.
More
Collecting Articles
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Preserving Antiquities
Collecting
antiquities can be an expensive undertaking. Even the smallest artifacts
sell for three figures or more. Therefore, it’s imperative to care for
them in the best possible way to preserve the investment.
More
Caring for Collections |
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The
2025 Winter Edition
featuring
"Roman
Arts
and Culture"
is here
Go through the menu and read all the
New!
articles. |
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Roman
Portraits in Stone
Statues and monuments of Roman citizens chronicled the
history of the Empire. The ancient Romans combined military
might with a commitment to public art, which served as both
political propaganda and a means to commemorate military and
diplomatic achievements. |
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Roman
Antiquities at the MET
by Bob Brooke
The
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, otherwise known as the MET, has
one of the greatest collections of Roman antiquities in the United
States. Strolling through the galleries of Roman antiquities is like
stepping back to a time over two millennia ago.
Read more. |
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Everyday Life
in the Roman World
by Bob Brooke
The daily life
of Roman citizens depended on their status in society. And
nowhere has revealed more about everyday life than the
remains of Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town in modern-day
Ercolano, Italy, buried by volcanic ash and pumice during
the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
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Captivating Cameos
Cameos first appeared as far back as 15,000 BCE. where ancient
Egyptian civilizations carved figures into rocks to record important
events. Cameo artistry traveled between the ancient Mediterranean
cultures through trade routes connecting Egypt, Greece, and Rome,
and often depicted mythological themes while paying tribute to gods
and goddesses. As the Roman Empire grew, cameo carvers began to
incorporate political portraits into their pieces.
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How to Recognize and
Refinish Antiques for Pleasure and Profit
Have
you ever bought an antique or collectible that was less than perfect and
needed some TLC? Bob's book offers tips and step-by- step
instructions for simple maintenance and restoration of common antiques.
Read an
Excerpt |
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BREAKING
NEWS
French bidders battle for rare ‘real
gold’ medal from Paris Exposition 1900
A remarkable solid gold
medallion created for the Paris Exposition Universelle in
1900 turned up at Jacobs & Hunt Auctions in Liss, Hampshire,
England. A local couple had brought it in together with some
inherited diamond jewelry |
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BIZARRE
ANTIQUITIES
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“Spintria”was the
currency Roman men used to pay for services in
brothels in the Roman Empire. It was forbidden
to use coins with the emperor's effigy in these
places. The bronze "tokens" depicted a couple in
seven different sexual positions on one side and
on the other a number that, depending on the
coins, ranged from I to XVI. |
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