Dealing in Histories: Durability, Authenticity and Provenance in Markets For Antiques

This paper argues that the sets of histories attached to objects often represent a key source of their value. Discussion is based on 15 interviews with dealers in antiques from Leek in Staffordshire and Glasgow in Lanarkshire, UK. The paper finds that stressing the history of objects is a key means through which dealers attempt to create an aura of singularity and thus value for objects. Theoretical implications for consumer research include an understanding of the materialities and biographies of things as central to value creation and that value must be seen as an ongoing project, continually being (re)created in our use of objects.



Citation:

Liz Parsons (2007) ,"Dealing in Histories: Durability, Authenticity and Provenance in Markets For Antiques", in E - European Advances in Consumer Research Volume 8, eds. Stefania Borghini, Mary Ann McGrath, and Cele Otnes, Duluth, MN : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 111-112.

Authors

Liz Parsons, Keele University, UK



Volume

E - European Advances in Consumer Research Volume 8 | 2007



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