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2 years ago in Botany , Economic History By Reema
In the development of early modern natural history (c. 1500-1800), which was more significant as a driving force: the collection of curiosities or the trade in commodities?
I'm framing a thesis on early modern botany. The literature presents two seemingly parallel drivers: the "culture of curiosity" that filled cabinets with exotic marvels, and the economic botany of the spice trade, medicinal plants, and cash crops. Were these truly separate spheres, or did one logically lead to the other? In your assessment, which impulse—intellectual wonder or commercial exploitation—provided the more fundamental organizational framework for understanding nature in this period?
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By Virat Answered 1 year ago
From my work in the archives, I've seen that these were not separate forces but a feedback loop where curiosity fueled commerce and commerce demanded new curiosities. Initially, the "curiosity" paradigm was dominant for organizing knowledge in the Wunderkammer, classifying objects by marvel. However, by the late 17th century, the "commodity" framework—cataloging nature by its utility for medicine, dye, or food—became the more significant driver for systematic collection, classification, and ultimately, the professionalization of fields like botany. The search for profitable commodities directly funded voyages of discovery that returned with new curiosities, which were then scrutinized for potential utility. So, while wonder sparked the enterprise, commerce provided the sustained institutional and financial momentum that shaped its modern form.
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