Hello charlie b,

You alluded to one reason, something shiny was harder to come by so it
indicated the owners wealth. One other reason for the preference of shiny
surfaces occurred before electirc lighting. A shiny surface reflected more
candle and fire light than a more dull surface. Shiny tables, chairs, etc.
made a room look brighter, although probably not too much, when the room was
lit by just a few candles or a fireplace.