The Life of Familiar Things

The style of everyday life is an essential feature of any era. Times have changed, fashion has evolved, and the silent companions of humanity - clothing, footwear, housing, dishes, household utensils, and the materials they are made from - have... transformed. It is no wonder that an expert can determine the age of a painting by carefully studying the details of the objects depicted in it. ...A story about what homes were like in the past, how modern fabrics evolved from primitive grass loincloths, how people learned to make paper, and other fascinating tales will not only entertain children but also teach them to value the fruits of someone else's labor, which have matured over centuries.