Maimeo Remembers

We just returned from a 3-week trip including a transatlantic cruise and a week in Munich. Unfortunately, international travel is not as elegant as it once was, even by ship. So these days, shopping for souvenirs for the family can be quite a challenge. Airport security and airline baggage fees have limited the options.

As little as ten years ago, we returned from Europe with three silk rugs and an end table! No more. Now we shop for jewelry, unframed art work, silk scarves, small toys for the grandkids. We also risk buying Belgian chocolates and other packaged candy and herbs.

It seems so different now than last century but checking our inventory, we find much the same: jewelry, scarves, paper reminiscences. I guess it’s not so different after all!

In the business of antiques and collectibles, we delight in the changes that occur in day-to-day living. Styles change; inventions bring new delights; politics and war change everything. A collection of human activity across time is not only interesting but gives insight into our people-ness.

The actual keeping of time is a relatively new activity for humans. Used to be “get up with the sun”,  ”Go to bed with the sun”. As people were able to travel quicker and communicate over distances, clocks were invented that would keep proper “time”. That is, in discreet artificial timezones. Now there are clocks and other time keeping devices all over our homes and workplaces. Some are utilitarian but some are also meant to be decorative.

And now – here comes Daylight Savings Time this weekend! Get ready to spin hands, flip numbers, or check to see if the automatic update actually worked properly!

The history of pearls in the decorative arts and in jewelry goes back thousands of years. Still, in the 21st century, they are worn worldwide and used as decorative accents.

Since natural pearls are animal-made randomly, they are scarce. Cultured pearls are also made in the shell but are “started” by the pearl farmer.

Artificial pearls are made in factories by coating a sphere with lustrous material. Some man-made pearls are quite nice and of superior quality.

Pearls are used in a great variety of jewelry settings. In the early and mid-20th century, pearls reached one of their peaks in popularity. The “little string of pearls” was a fashion necessity. The Queen of England must have hundreds of strings!

Queen Elizabeth II and Michelle Obama

Valentine’s Day commemorates St Valentine, right? But we don’t know for sure which Valentine or exactly why. And why does the heart shape equate with romantic love?

In early historical times, the heart was thought to be the seat of intelligence, emotion, and reason. The essence of what makes us human. The heart symbol also has been used for centuries to indicate romantic love. The reason is lost in time and the symbol itself has little resemblance to an actual heart.
 

Whatever the origin, the Victorians loved the idea of romantic love and its hold on the heart. Postals (postcards) became very popular in this period and Valentine’s Day became the time to express this affection.

 

We continue to send gifts to our love at this time. They may be edible, smell lovely, or may be tokens to be worn or to be admired on the dressing table.

People are social beings and show relationships to others in many ways such as dress, jewelry, language, or customs. A fun way to show membership in a group or service to a group is by specifically designed pins.

Pins can be used to reward for service, meeting a milestone, or just having the same goals as another. They can have historical significance and they can show changes in society.

Pins can be displayed discreetly on a lapel or collar or conspicuously with similar pins on a hat or vest.  They are frequently traded at athletic, sport, or political events.

Pins are great collectibles because they are generally inexpensive and can be themed by subject, composition, color, etc. But mostly they are interesting and fun!

Lions Club pin

Usually these posts describe how different things are today compared to 50 or 100 years ago. But when it is holiday shopping time, many shop for time-honored gifts (in addition to the latest electronic gadget).

Gold, silver, crystal, and silk never go out of style. Artists create beautiful objects today but the techniques often haven’t changed over the years. Artisans in various cultures have made traditional jewelry and decorative objects the same way for years.

Our attraction to antiques and collectibles is partly, at least, based on feeling this continuum of human creativity. We remember what we used to love in our parents’ or grandparents’ homes and add to our collections those things that give us a sense of family – both our individual family and the human family.

Planning on attending a holiday party at your workplace or in your social circle? Why not add a vintage piece of jewelry? Pearls are the classic addition to dress up an outfit.

My mother was very active in charity groups and they always had a holiday dance. Back in those days we wore very, very full skirts with net crinolines that itched when you sat down! And, of course, the pearls. And elbow-length gloves. And girdles!

Nowadays, you probably will not wear the gloves and girdle and you are looking for jewelry with a little more pizzazz. Rhinestones are great for accenting the little black dress. Pins and brooches are versatile and can be worn on a dress, attach a scarf, or large ones can even be pinned to a coat. Show your bling this holiday season!

It’s not too early to start thinking about your holiday festivities and decorations. This year, a new addition to your table may bring back memories of good times past.

Candles always give a nice warm look to the food and cobalt glass candlesticks with silver overlay can add a nice touch of color and elegance.  This style was very popular from about 1895 through the 1920s. These pieces were considered special and used on the holiday table or in decorating the house.

Serving a cake or cookies for dessert? An unusual serving piece enhances home made or bakery goodies. In Victorian homes during the holidays there was always a lovely plate of cookies or cake and a decanter of sherry on the dining room table or sideboard for drop-in guests.

Even though our homes are less formal than the early 20th century, holidays often bring out the silver and formal china. A few silver highlights can make a table lovely (especially if they are reflecting the warm candlelight). Nut dishes typically graced the Victorian table so that the guest was able to snack between the many courses.

Elaborate table settings are no longer a tradition in most homes. But, for special occasions, we should bring out the seldom used pieces that take us back to our memories and our family traditions.

Personally, I don’t understand the popularity of roosters. Roosters on plates; roosters on fabric; roosters on jewelry; roosters on napkins. Brass roosters; ceramic roosters; wooden roosters; glass roosters.  But I can’t ignore the sheer numbers and variety of rooster-themed collectibles.

In my childhood home a pair of brass roosters sat on the bottom of a table in the front hall. The tail feathers had very sharp edges (now, how would I know that?) There were also a couple of milk glass plates in the kitchen with roosters. Roosters evoke a country house feel and can be colorful and cheery.

Rooster themed linens were very popular in the mid-20th century. We have seen white-on white embroidered rooster cocktail napkins and full-color rooster-decorated tablecloths. The roosters I like best are on breakfast or luncheon sets that have varied decorations. Do any of our readers have favorite roosters?

What do you bring back as souvenirs when traveling? In the old (and not-so-old) past, we have returned with shells, rugs, ceramics, books, framed art, wine, and even a table! Ah, those were carefree days. But with airplane luggage restrictions and all manner of agricultural rules across country and state borders, our collecting has been simplified.

Apparently, the same need for packable souvenirs held true for late 19th and early 20th century.

Paper menus and post cards were common, lightweight acquisitions. Also matchbooks, swizzle sticks, anything with an imprinted hotel or restaurant name.

Cruiselines still do menus but not as beautiful as Matson’s. Airlines no longer have similar lovely menus.