This time last year I had discovered a treasure trove near to home; just a mile away, on a small industrial estate, I found that there was someone operating from a unit there who sold upcycled furniture and all sorts of bric a brac, and all for VERY decent prices. As you can imagine - I was in seventh heaven. My joy and delight was short lived, however, as within a couple of months she announced that she was closing down. The 'Ottoman' box that you see above was the last thing that I bought.
When I first saw it, the loose cover was off and what was visible was not attractive to the eye. The covering attached to the box itself was damaged – torn, stained and very grubby, which was presumably why the pretty chintz coverlet had been made to hide its shame! But inside was a different matter; the interior was crammed full to overflowing with a multitude of different textiles - it made me swoon. I was told that I could take the box and all its contents for (I think) 40 UK pounds (approx. $50.00). How could I resist? But in fact resist I did, as I knew the purchase would not go down very well back at home, where it would be seen as ‘more junk filling up space’
I tolerated my agony for 48 hours but then in fact, succumbed and went back to take possession of said item.
What I did not know was (that as I discovered when I opened it), a good third of the contents had been sold during the intervening two days; but it was a fair cop - I had agreed to buy the box and its contents, and the box and its contents (though now depleted) was what I got. I should have checked, but was overcome with excitement – and not a little trepidation. There was still a huge amount of treasure in there, which I have yet to explore in detail. Having taken a perfunctory sort through, the box was closed up “until later when I have more time ” (sound familiar?). Well, that time was taken up - for the next month or two - by work in the autumn garden, and then Christmas was upon us - and you know how much time we all have then.
So the box was closed, the cover was pulled over, the contents forgotten. Until today, when I wanted to put a small piece of decorative linen away, could not be bothered to take just one item up stairs (steep stairs), and something in my subconscious reminded me that I could pop it in ‘that box in the sunroom’ to be sorted in future. I opened it up and had more than a pleasant surprise to see what was still in there. Victorian baby night dresses, several pieces of European embroidery, a beautiful Victorian white silk shawl, with long, long fringing, (which can be used either as a garment or as a table covering) and many, many pieces of practical use - particularly tablecloths and pillow cases, of which there is one particularly pretty example in blue Toile de Jouy.
The photographs of the crumpled, jumbled items that you can see at the moment show virtually as much as I know is of interest in there myself; I don't know what's beneath. Over the next few weeks, I will take a few items out at a time, wash and iron them and assess them. I will keep anything that particularly takes my eye, but the rest of it really should go to other homes where it will be enjoyed by other textile lovers. I have forgotten the intricacies of eBay, but I think it's time I remembered!
Journal prompt
Do you know if you have any such treasures hidden away in bottom drawers or top lofts? (Don't ask today about what's in MY loft - that is very much more than one other blog post, to be sure!)
Have a rootle around in your linen cupboards, chests, wardrobes & lofts and see what treasures you find and what you can remember about them. My particular interest is in textiles today, but you may also have glass, ceramics, pictures, books (yes, look on those shelves as well) - see what you can find , see what you can remember (where did they come from? Who did they belong to?)
Write down their stories – and as always, it would be a delight if you can share them here. (A little tip – write the stories of important (to you) pieces on a luggage tag and keep it with the item, for future generations)
If you would like to join the ‘Month in the Country 2020’ Facebook group to share and discuss your own responses to each day’s blog, just click here
Oh, my! That half hidden bit of blue fabric with the white embroidered crosses - is that what you call toile de joie? Please tell more about it, is it a pillowcase, or one of the "pieces of embroidery"? It certainly caught and delighted my eye. What a treasure trove, look forward to hearing more about what comes out of there!
Posted by: Diana Birchall | Friday, August 14, 2020 at 02:24