「The Art of Collecting」From “The poor buy houses, the rich collecttreasures” to talk about collecting

The saying “The poor buy houses, the rich collect treasures” clarifies that collecting is not about hoarding goods and taking up space; the essence of collecting is not material possession but a link for the transmission of wealth and culture. Collections are not only valuable but also carry the spirit of a family.

In China, private collection can be divided into four categories: the first is to keep them as family heirlooms and emotional bonds; the second is to transform skills, restoring traditional craftsmanship from old objects; the third is to conduct historical and cultural research with the collections; the fourth is public inheritance, donating to museums to keep the culture alive. Each category goes beyond the material level.

Nowadays, collecting emphasizes a “cultural and wealth symbiosis”, reaching a consensus on the value of collections within the family and seeking professional help to manage them, while planning for future handling. In this way, collections are both a liquid asset and a “cultural household register” of the family.

The key to collecting lies in the mutual achievement of money and culture. Wealth provides the material foundation for cultural inheritance, while culture gives wealth a spiritual depth beyond money. Only through dynamic protection and innovation can family legacies and cultural treasures be passed down continuously.

Buying a house is a basic need for survival, while collecting is the pursuit and protection of one’s “roots”.
There is much more to collecting. That’s all for today. We’ll continue next time.