~Nan's Night Light~
As my regular readers know, I inherited many things when two of our family's dearest passed away within weeks of each other. Much as I tried to foist treasures off on other family members, they declined with few exceptions. We took a large load of things to an animal shelter thrift shop a year ago and have taken a few loads to Goodwill as recently as last month, yet I am still sitting here in a pile of things. As FlyLady says, "Clutter cannot be organized." She's right!
This is the provenance of my grandmother's night light. She received it as a wedding gift in 1931 so it is now 81 years old. It is a heavy, bronze piece representing a mail wagon with a driver and "two horses." The small light is housed behind the carriage wheels and shines out through those isinglass windows. (Yes, they truly are isinglass.)
The full body of the horse on the driver's right doesn't exist...don't let that spook you. Just the head shows. Apparently, all the legs are running in tandem. ☺ There is no footman (and never has been) — I don't know of anyone who'd enjoy that seat.
Here's a bit of a close-up...the something and an R to the left, the Oxford to London on the door along with Mail and the emblem of a crown. On the right the year 1773, which isn't shown.
Now I have tried to gift this one. It was a childhood favorite, but not an adult one and has been tucked in every corner of my home for over a year. I finally decided to polish it a bit...something my grandmother never did that I recall. It would have taken forever so I gave up rather quickly and I also didn't want to destroy anything. So I polished only a few highlights and called it fine. I've decided to embrace it — for now.
That's the story. If you know anything about such pieces or have one of your own, please share. Thanks so much.
A happy Friday to you...
The frames are all courtesy of PicMonkey.
That is a wonderful treasure!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you have it now, and that you can appreciate, and enjoy it.
Smiles :)
Kerin
I think it's beautiful. I'm so glad you've accepted it and created such a pretty space for it. I've never seen a night light as large nor as detailed. It may be a real treasure. Might be fun to have it appraised!
ReplyDeleteForgot to say how much I like your new background and header ~ so cool and calming for these hot, hot days.
ReplyDeleteOh my gracious, when you really tire of it, do NOT give it away. I HAS to be worth lots and lots of money! Simply HAS TO BE.
ReplyDeleteBut for now, it makes a most lovely gathering, along with the other items. Simply lovely!
Decorating magazines would go-mad for such a photo, to use!
♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡
"Into the shadow-white chamber
silts the white Flux of another dawn..."
~~D. H. Lawrence
Oh yes, cool and refreshing blog look here!!!
ReplyDelete♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡*♡
"Into the shadow-white chamber
silts the white Flux of another dawn..."
~~D. H. Lawrence
Oh my, I hope you do continue to embrace it. It's a fabulous piece. Have a wonderful weekend Vee!
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful Vee but I know what you mean. Sometimes, things we loved as children aren't quite as appealing as an adult. And vice versa.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful that you are displaying it. Perhaps someday, someone will come along that wants it.
((Hugs))
Laura
Embrace it...and enjoy it. It's a treasure! I have a hard time parting with things from the past as well...the things that memories are made of.
ReplyDeleteLove old treasure like that! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteIt's a charming piece! I think it would look lovely sitting on a mantel, bookcase, windowsill...
ReplyDeleteI'm liking your monkey frames, and they seem to add new things regularly there. As to your piece, I find it quite interesting and it looks nice where you have tucked it. I would find it very cozy looking in the evening or on a rainy day, to see the light behind the little windows. I wonder if it is of any value. Maybe not with parts missing.
ReplyDeletePersonally I am so glad you have chosen to embrace it! What a delightful piece of family treasure to have. =) It looks quite lovely on your cupboard top as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend!
I think it's lovely! You could send a photo into Country Living to there "What's It Worth" they may be able to help you!
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely piece and looks perfectly in place in your vignette. But I know that sometimes the things we inherit, and can't dispose of for sentimental or other reasons, can weigh upon our minds.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a lovely piece that I suggest you keep it. One day it will be 100 years old, a real antique, and maybe a family member will want it.
ReplyDeleteI love your vignette with the old window and how you change it up. The old coach is a keeper I think. It's unique and it works and looks great in that spot. Did you try to google it? Your blog page looks beautiful! Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful treasure you have Vee, I am so glad you decided to embrace it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adored your 4th of July post! I might add,it brought back wonderful memories of times past for us! Just keep right on making and sharing them, always makes me smile.
Our 4th was fairly quiet!
Hugs,
Sue
Nan's night light is so interesting. I have never seen one like it. It seems a shame to give it away after being part of the family for 81 years. I wonder if the owner of one of your local antique shops might be able to shed some light on it's value.
ReplyDeleteYour new blog look is delightful. Beautiful colors for summertime.
You are amazing. Yes, I too inherited too much and most people didn't care about the treasures from our family. And believe me, there were treasures, including samplers from the early 1800s. (I KEPT THEM FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER).
ReplyDeleteYou CANNOT organize clutter or make it attractive. I want to be a minimalist, deep inside I am, but right now I have too much STUFF.
Love to you and yours,
S
That night light is so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI love the quote from FlyLady - it's true....
Deanna
It's a neat piece, Vee. I know nothing about that kind of thing. You should go on Antiques Roadshow I guess! :)
ReplyDeleteNow I'm liking this blog look - nice and cool and even a stream to stick my hot nasty feet in. That sure looks nice. ahhh.......
I still haven't had time to check out PicMonkey. I like your frames - mine don't have them and they are pretty boring... hmmmm - note to self - check out PicMonkey...
I made the trip from Oxford to London once, in a rental car on the wrong side of the road. I think I would have rather been in this fine carriage.
ReplyDeleteThat nightlight is incredible...I've never seen anything like it! And so cool that it is a family piece.
ReplyDeleteBut...I can relate to the obligation that sometimes accompanies such treasures. I once decorated a bedroom around a washbowl and pitcher set that was a family heirloom...but one that wasn't "me" and that I didn't particularly like. Years later I decided that I would not let an heirloom own me (instead of the other way around), and freed myself to put the washbowl and pitcher up in the attic and decorate the room as I pleased. (I offered the set to other family members who all declined.)
Anyway, if I have other things from a particular branch of the family, or from an individual, I don't feel obligated to "treasure" every little thing.
On an entirely different note...thanks for introducing me to PicMonkey!! Good stuff! :D
Sympatico, Vee!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I were the ones who had to clear out my mother's house for sale ..a tremendous job and we were under the stress of a deadline as the house sold quickly. I had to let a lot of things go to the recycle truck or charities but I had the hardest time giving up vintage books. So many of them now are stacked in my basement. I'm still sorting through photos and my Father's Army days memorabilia.
It is a very emotional job isn't it?
Your grandmother's night light is very unique and looks pretty where you've placed it!
Just looked up isinglass. How interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt is a treasure, but then being decluttered is wonderful too.
What a wonderful keepsake. I hope you can find a place to enjoy it. I spend a lot of time rearranging clutter. At least it gets dusted! lol
ReplyDeleteIt is an unusual keepsake that I would want to keep, but I understand being overwhelmed with two houses of memorabilia. Big decisions about what to keep, I'll bet!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting piece. Have you thought of sending a photo to Country Living Magazine? They have a monthly column that highlights two or three pages of old and unusual items and I think yours qualifies!
ReplyDeleteYour Grandmother's night light is lovely !
ReplyDeleteIt is a real treasure, Vee. Simply beautiful and you've displayed it so well.
ReplyDeleteLaTeaDah
PS: Don't worry about the Fly Lady one little bit!
This is such an interesting story Vee and you are right to find a spot for such a lovely treasure. I would never part with the things that have been passed down to me from my family. rotating displays on my buffet is the way I showcase my treasures. As a teacher, i enjoyed creating new bulletin board displays and now I change my buffet as the seasons change or when the mood strikes me. Please keep the coach forever!
ReplyDeleteI know you said you didn't love it, but it really is a beautiful piece and looks really lovely the way you have it displayed.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that flylady quote.
What an interesting piece...so glad you decided to embrace it
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a piece like that before but it sure is interesting. I know how hard it is to part with such things......I have a hard time parting with some of my mom's things and they are not worth much monetarily.
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna have to look up isinglass now.
I think it is wonderful to have so many family treasures.
ReplyDelete