heirloom-type words
Is there a word that indicates that something has been in the family, or in your own possession, for a long time? Sort of like "heirloom", but not necessary involving multiple generations nor even multiple people? For example, to distinguish a Christmas ornament you've had for ten or twenty years versus a brand new one, or one that you've only had a few years?
Perhaps a word for a quality an object obtains in increasing quantity with age and familiarity?
(and perhaps with or without fondness... there could be ornaments you've had a long time, which you've never been particularly fond of, or not as fond of as others.)
Sometimes there are objects I've had a long time, but don't remember having gotten, so they are low on familiarity - like when you find something in the back of a drawer you must have bought some time ago and completely forgotten about.
Perhaps a word for a quality an object obtains in increasing quantity with age and familiarity?
(and perhaps with or without fondness... there could be ornaments you've had a long time, which you've never been particularly fond of, or not as fond of as others.)
Sometimes there are objects I've had a long time, but don't remember having gotten, so they are low on familiarity - like when you find something in the back of a drawer you must have bought some time ago and completely forgotten about.
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Related adjectives, but these also don't necessarily imply age: Cherished, treasured.
Related nouns: nostalgia, sentimentality.
I still keep thinking there must be a noun (possibly from another language) for a "quality an object obtains in increasing quantity with age and familiarity (and fondness)".
It's not an intrinsic quality of an object, but the perceived quality / feeling it invokes in someone.
Sort of like "value", but that word seems so vague.
Ah, now I may have it, although in two words: "Nostalgic value". Or "Sentimental value".