It is understood, however, that an object must be more than just 20 years old in order to be called an antique. Properly, an antique must also be distinguished by some degree of aesthetic(美学的)or historic merit. An antique is usually both beautiful and decorative. It may also have additional interest and value because of its relationship to a historical period or to some well-known person. George Washington’s teapot and dining room chairs, for example, are more valuable as antiques than those that belonged to most other 18th century Americans, Antiques of all kinds are highly valued for their intrinsic(内在的)beauty, craftsmanship, and quality of design. They may be made of rare materials such as gold or silver, but they may also be made of ordinary materials such as wood or paper. Most antiques are things that were originally used as household furnishings. These include furniture, silver, glass, ceramics(陶制品), rugs, embroideries, and various kinds of metalware. In museums these objects represent the decorative arts. They are studied and exhibited in ways that are different from the ways in which the fine arts (paintings, prints, and sculpture, for example)are studied and presented. Antiques are studied by cultural and social historians, who see them as direct clues to a people’s way of life. Such scholars are less concerned with the beauty o[ a piece than with its typicality, craftsmanship, and role’ in the economic and social life of its owners. Washington’s teapot and dining room chairs are studied as examples of 18th century pottery and furniture making. They are also studied for their roles in daily life at Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. Such material culture studies have benefited private collectors greatly because the results have enhanced the associative or relic value of certain objects.Washington's teapot is more valuable as antiques because （）
United States customs law defines an antique (古董)as an object that is more than 100 years old. It is understood, however, that an object must be more than just 20 years old in order to be called an antique. Properly, an antique must also be distinguished by some degree of aesthetic(美学的)or historic merit. An antique is usually both beautiful and decorative. It may also have additional interest and value because of its relationship to a historical period or to some well-known person. George Washington’s teapot and dining room chairs, for example, are more valuable as antiques than those that belonged to most other 18th century Americans, Antiques of all kinds are highly valued for their intrinsic(内在的)beauty, craftsmanship, and quality of design. They may be made of rare materials such as gold or silver, but they may also be made of ordinary materials such as wood or paper. Most antiques are things that were originally used as household furnishings. These include furniture, silver, glass, ceramics(陶制品), rugs, embroideries, and various kinds of metalware. In museums these objects represent the decorative arts. They are studied and exhibited in ways that are different from the ways in which the fine arts (paintings, prints, and sculpture, for example)are studied and presented. Antiques are studied by cultural and social historians, who see them as direct clues to a people’s way of life. Such scholars are less concerned with the beauty o[ a piece than with its typicality, craftsmanship, and role’ in the economic and social life of its owners. Washington’s teapot and dining room chairs are studied as examples of 18th century pottery and furniture making. They are also studied for their roles in daily life at Washington’s home, Mount Vernon. Such material culture studies have benefited private collectors greatly because the results have enhanced the associative or relic value of certain objects.Washington's teapot is more valuable as antiques because （）
- A. it belonged to the 18th century America
- B. it had aesthetic and practical value
- C. Washington was the greatest person
- D. it played a big role in Washington's life