A new online, interactive map has been launched which tracks the development and history of the UK antiques trade during the 20th century.
Researchers from the University,聽led by the University of Leeds, aim to chart the changing geographical locations of dealers over a one-hundred year period.
The map and dateline allows anyone to search for information about individual traders in Britain over decades and will eventually track the movement and trade of individual objects.
Co-investigator Dr Eleanor Quince, a historian at the University, says the team now needs the public鈥檚 help to gather more information and expand the site:
鈥淒evelopment of the map is ongoing and we hope this launch will encourage people to contribute to the database of information themselves, perhaps providing details of a relative or a dealer working in their local area 鈥� either now, or in the past.鈥�
The antiques trade has changed significantly in the last few decades, reaching its height in the 20th century, but more recently moving into decline 鈥� with approximately one third of dealerships closing in the final years of the century.
It鈥檚 hoped the site will eventually include details of the estimated 100,000 dealers who traded in Britain in the 20th century.
Dr Quince says:
鈥淏y recording the names and locations of traders across a one hundred year timeline, we can start to build up a picture of the industry 鈥� who was dealing in what and when, what they were charging, and who bought what and from whom. Many significant objects now in our national collections will have passed through the hands of an antiques dealer, but because we know so little about them this aspect of the object鈥檚 history remains unseen. By linking objects with dealers, we can uncover this hidden past.鈥�
The interactive map can be viewed :
People can get involved with the project :