History Antiquarian

1 history

1.1 antiquarianism in ancient china
1.2 antiquarianism in ancient rome
1.3 medieval , modern antiquarianism
1.4 19th–21st centuries

history
antiquarianism in ancient china

during song dynasty (960–1279), scholar ouyang xiu (1007–1072) analyzed alleged ancient artifacts bearing archaic inscriptions in bronze , stone, preserved in collection of 400 rubbings; patricia ebrey writes pioneered ideas in epigraphy.

the kaogutu (考古圖) or illustrated catalogue of examined antiquity (preface dated 1092) compiled lü dalin (呂大臨) (1046–1092) 1 of oldest known catalogues systematically describe , classify ancient artifacts unearthed. catalogue chong xiu xuanhe bogutu (重修宣和博古圖) or revised illustrated catalogue of xuanhe profoundly learned antiquity (compiled 1111 1125), commissioned emperor huizong of song (r. 1100 – 1125), , featured illustrations of 840 vessels , rubbings.

interests in antiquarian studies of ancient inscriptions , artifacts waned after song dynasty, revived qing dynasty (1644–1912) scholars such gu yanwu (1613–1682) , yan ruoju (1636–1704).

antiquarianism in ancient rome

in ancient rome, strong sense of traditionalism motivated interest in studying , recording monuments of past; augustan historian livy uses latin monumenta in sense of antiquarian matters. books on antiquarian topics covered such subjects origin of customs, religious rituals, , political institutions; genealogy; topography , landmarks; , etymology. annals , histories might include sections pertaining these subjects, annals chronological in structure, , roman histories, such of livy , tacitus, both chronological , offer overarching narrative , interpretation of events. contrast, antiquarian works literary form organized topic, , narrative short , illustrative, in form of anecdotes.

major antiquarian latin writers surviving works include varro, pliny elder, aulus gellius, , macrobius. roman emperor claudius published antiquarian works, none of extant. of cicero s treatises, particularly work on divination, show strong antiquarian interests, primary purpose exploration of philosophical questions. roman-era greek writers dealt antiquarian material, such plutarch in roman questions , deipnosophistae of athenaeus. aim of latin antiquarian works collect great number of possible explanations, less emphasis on arriving @ truth in compiling evidence. antiquarians used sources ancient historians, , many antiquarian writers known through these citations.

antiquaries : portraits of 20 influential antiquaries , historians published in crabb s universal historical dictionary (1825). featured are: giraldus cambrensis, john leland, guido panciroli, john stow, william camden, justus lipsius, joseph justus scaliger, johannes meursius, hubert goltzius, henry spelman, charles patin, philipp clüver, william dugdale, claudius salmasius, friedrich spanheim, johann georg graevius, jakob gronovius, thomas hearne, john strype, , elias ashmole.


medieval , modern antiquarianism

despite importance of antiquarian writing in literature of ancient rome, scholars view antiquarianism emerging in middle ages (see history of archaeology). medieval antiquarians made collections of inscriptions or records of monuments, varro-inspired concept of antiquitates among romans systematic collections of relics of past faded. antiquarianism s wider flowering more associated renaissance, , critical assessment , questioning of classical texts undertaken in period humanist scholars. textual criticism broadened awareness of supplementary perspectives on past offered study of coins, inscriptions , other archaeological remains, documents medieval periods. antiquaries formed collections of these , other objects; cabinet of curiosities general term collections, encompassed antiquities , more recent art, items of natural history, memorabilia , items far-away lands.

william camden (1551–1623), author of britannia, wearing tabard , chain of office of clarenceux king of arms. published in 1695 edition of britannia.

the importance placed on lineage in modern europe meant antiquarianism closely associated genealogy, , number of prominent antiquaries (including robert glover, william camden, william dugdale , elias ashmole) held office professional heralds. development of genealogy scientific discipline (i.e. 1 rejected unsubstantiated legends, , demanded high standards of proof claims) went hand-in-hand development of antiquarianism. genealogical antiquaries recognised evidential value researches of non-textual sources, including seals , church monuments.

many modern antiquaries chorographers: say, recorded landscapes , monuments within regional or national descriptions. in england, of important of these took form of county histories.

in context of 17th-century scientific revolution, , more of quarrel of ancients , moderns in england , france, antiquaries firmly on side of moderns . increasingly argued empirical primary evidence used refine , challenge received interpretations of history handed down literary authorities.

19th–21st centuries

by end of 19th century, antiquarianism had diverged number of more specialized academic disciplines including archaeology, art history, numismatics, sigillography, philology, literary studies , diplomatics. antiquaries had attracted degree of ridicule (see below), , since mid-19th century term has tended used commonly in negative or derogatory contexts. nevertheless, many practising antiquaries continue claim title pride. in recent years, in scholarly environment in interdisciplinarity increasingly encouraged, many of established antiquarian societies (see below) have found new roles facilitators collaboration between specialists.