Collectibles or Cultural Heritage?

[gp]

Originally Posted by TVV

Interesting philosophical thread. The question of the historical and cultural value of our collectibles is a complex one, as such things are subjective and sometimes hard to evaluate properly. How an object is viewed depends a lot on the person viewing the object and this person's unique background and biases. The question at its core is an emotional one, not a rational one, and a single correct answer to it does not really exist.

I can therefore only speak for myself and here is how I personally view ethnographic arms and armor collecting:
1) It is for my personal enjoyment: for me, this is first and foremost a hobby and something I do for fun. I am just a collector, not a professional dealer or an academician.
2) As collectors we are temporary caretakers of the artifacts we collect. All my swords and daggers will eventually move on to others to enjoy. In the meantime, I will have played my small role in the preservation of these items. I firmly believe that as collectors we play a vital role in the storage and conservation of antiques, many of which would have been destroyed if not for us and our interest in them, but that is a separate topic outside the scope of this thread.
3) The study of the arms we collect and the preservation and enhancement of the knowledge we have about them is just as important as the physical preservation of the items. Understanding the cultural and historical context of our collectibles elevates them from a curiosity to historic artifacts.

I personally find this Forum to play a key role in the last point above. It is a great depository of knowledge (and images too), and an online community for those of us who share an interest in arms and armor where we can discuss all aspects of our hobby in a relaxed manner. If the real question is whether the Forum should be turned into a more structured and academic environment, I would vote NO, because I am afraid that such a change would discourage beginners from joining and participating. There are other places online better suited for those who want a bit more serious approach - I like this Forum the way it is.

I could not have said it better and agree not 100 but 1000% and I believe there is already an excellent structure ( if one could call it that) in place by the specialist knowledge of forum members on a certain cold weapon or region.
As for the academic or scientific part, I believe there are sufficient references made or available in several comments by members on literature and publications.

[DaveA]

Friends,

This is always an interesting discussion. There are often some new things to be said from a unique point of view. I have been thinking about the topic lately and perhaps you find this idea interesting:

We collect stories, not just historical artifacts. Every object was made by a person, for a person, in a certain place and time, including the context of life (both immediate and overall). Moreover, the items were usually created many, many generations before us. They survived, and will survive long after us if we are good stewards and curators. They are time travelers. What a story they can tell if we can decipher it!

These are our window on history, and on humanity. We ask why, why, why and sometimes, through our collective knowledge, new answers emerge.

The pristine, highly decorated items are definitely relevant. They tell us what people thought about prestige, and how it was communicated. The sturdy but plain weapons, many with marks of battle damage tell us about why people carried such weapons and how they used them. Others, often very odd in shape, are intertwined with spiritual and religious beliefs.

I’m fascinated by them all because I’m always learning something new, and I thank you all for your contributions to this forum!

Happy hunting!

Dave A

[Jim McDougall]

Dave, PERFECTLY SAID! and exactly the very method I have always followed. The term 'antiquarian' , these days either pejorative for too narrow focus on historical trivia (or more commonly rare book dealers) actually pertains to the study of history with particular attention to old artifacts (in these cases weapons) and historic archives and manuscripts (old references).

I have often said to people saying on the weapons, "too bad they cant speak', and I say, 'they DO, if you know how to listen'.
Every weapon has its story, and I have followed this intently in the over 50 years I have studied these weapons, for me primarily swords.

In some cases, examples acquired in the 60s and 70s, have only in recent years revealed their secrets, and profound importance overlooked because they were simply shabby, darkened rough examples.

You GET IT!!! Well done!

As you say, even higher end examples which have been preserved because of their stature and often historic association with important events, figures etc. hold important details as well.

Even after all these years, I never stop learning, and here, thanks to the knowledgeable contributors here. There is always some new fact, example, obscure reference that gratefully is shared and opening new doors to the past.
As always, here we learn together, and Im ever grateful to those who contribute, ask questions, or comment .

We 'time travel' WITH the weapons as our guides.

Thank you for this well explained synopsis of our quest,

All the best
Jim