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EXAMPLE ONE:
Years ago, I had a neat genuine bronze lamp for sale. It was nearly five feet tall, and consisted of a large palm tree growing atop a rocky island jutting out of the wavy sea, the latter artistically carved out of the 1-1/5 foot tall laminated blackwood base. There were three tailless Zamboangan monkeys scampering up the tree. and the smallish light bulbs screwed into bunches of dates at the top of the palm tree.The craftsmanship was superb, with individual hairs on the monkeys carved in, etc... and the whole effect was extremely artistic, in an exotic sort of way. It had a documented history of being part of the Japanese National exhibit a major World Exposition in Chicago in the very early part of the 1900s, making it one of the better examples one could find of Japanese bronze work. The patina on it, after decades of gentle exposure to the air and regular dusting/polishing, was rich and beautiful. For those who don't know, patina is critical on antique (or near-antique) bronze works. A unique museum piece by anyone's standards. I hated to sell it, but it was worth thousands and I needed the money for more important things than a lamp. I had just been very lucky to get it for a fraction of its value from an old lady, and enjoyed owning it for a time.
I advertised it for sale in the paper (no internet yet, back then) and one "interior designer" came, took a brief look and agreed to buy it for a fairly high price. As he was writing out the check, he started telling me how great it was going to look after he sprayed the whole thing with fresh white lacquer, to match a white interior he was doing for a client. Horrified, I told him what he could do with the check and showed him the door. He thought I was nuts to turn down a sale when all he wanted to do was "improve the old thing", I thought he was a clueless idiot with no appreciation of art or history.
EXAMPLE TWO:
Another time I was visiting the home of a lady TV exec. in Bombay. She had a gorgeous, antique Indian carved wooden money chest. Thick hardwood, reinforced with hand-forged metal strapping and studs and a big, antique lock. She had taken it to an experienced old locksmith, asking him to make a key for the lock, so that it would be complete and could be locked and unlocked.
When she went back to pick it up, the guy had drilled holes through all sides, top and bottom of the thing, through which he bolted on some hideous shiny aluminum strips, complete with ugly loops to hold modern padlocks. He proudly showed off his handiwork, telling her that it was not only more modern this way, but stronger and more secure than before! He had ruined not only its appearance, but most of its value as a rare antique, because he only understood it as a functional old thing. She has kept it that way, proudly displaying it in her living room as a testament to and a reminder of (she says) just how far her countrymen have to go before they fully join the modern world...
CONCLUSION: Different folks, different strokes. Some people "just don't get it" when it comes to valuing certain things.
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