Eclectic Antiques
A Commercial Definition, for Fun
 

Definition by
Robert Wilfred Franson

  

February 2000

  
An Eclectic mix of antiques —

Eclectic? Is that good or just weird?

Well,
looking around this wonderful antique-store / warehouse —

founded as Joan Seifried's Retreads,
later Brian Cegelski's Revivals on Adams,
a vanished landmark fascinating in sight and still bright in memory

— eclectic is obviously good, of course;
but that doesn't mean that some antiques
aren't weird too, and other kinds of fun.
  


  
Eclectic
  1. adversarial
    1. In ancient use, the distinguishing epithet of a class of philosophers who neither attached themselves to any recognized school, nor constructed independent systems, but 'selected such doctrines as pleased them in every school'; ... Diogenes Laertius speaks of an 'eclectic sect' founded by Potamon of Alexandria in the second century... In modern times this designation has been ... given to or assumed by various philosophers ...; and it is also applied to those who combine elements derived from diverse systems of opinion or practice in any science or art.
    2. That borrows or is borrowed from diverse sources. Also, of persons or personal attributes: Unfettered by narrow system in matters of taste or practice; broad, not exclusive, in matters of taste.
  2. subversive
    1. An adherent of the Eclectic school of philosophy.
    2. One who follows the eclectic method; one who finds points of agreement with diverse parties or schools.
  3. architectural-historical
    • see Retreads / Revivals on Adams — an antique building.
  4. furnitureal-historical
    • see Retreads / Revivals on Adams — its diverse contents.

  

  • The Eclectick sect, which was begun by Potamon.
    — John Dryden, 1683
      
  • By certain ... Eclectics, who ... choose whatever is most plausible.
    — Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1817
      
  • What is a man but a finer ... landscape than the horizon figures, — nature's eclecticism?
    — Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1841-4
      
  • With ... an eclectic turn of mind, Mr. Vavasour saw something good in everybody.
    — Benjamin Disraeli, 1847
      
  • The Eclectical system [in Art] — that of choosing the best points out of a multitude of fine forms.
    — R. Patterson, 1862
      
  • A fascinating variety of great old things.
    Joan Seifried of Retreads
    — Brian Cegelski of Revivals on Adams

  

Statuette, globe  
Eclectical = Eclectic

Hence Eclectically, in an eclectic manner.

Eclecticism: The eclectic philosophy; the eclectic method applied to speculation or practice.

Eclecticize: To treat in an eclectic method; to make selections from.


  Revivals storefrontRetreads storefront

Antiques, paintings, bugle-inspector  
Affectionately adapted from, and inspired by, the grand
Oxford English Dictionary.

  

  

© 2000 Robert Wilfred Franson


  
WordPoints at Troynovant
reading & writing, editing & publishing
  

  
Lower right photo by RWF:
David H. Franson with trumpet,
gift from Retreads
  

  

Troynovant, or Renewing Troy:    New | Contents
  recurrent inspiration    Recent Updates

www.Troynovant.com
emergent layers of
untimely Reviews
& prismatic Essays

  

Essays A-L, M-Z: mining the prismatic veins of Knowledge
Follies: whimsical Ventures, light-hearted Profundities
Illuminants: glances brightening toward heat
Memoirs: Personal History, personally told
Postcards: flat-carded Scenes of Passage
Satires: a point or a quiver-full

Strata | Regions | Personae   

  
© 2001-2024 Franson Publications