Weekly Photo Challenge: Old Treasures…
“The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different.” Aldous Huxley
Weekly Photo Challenge: Old Treasures… fertility dolls
For this Daily Post photo challenge on the word OLD, I sought old treasures to share with you… We all know good things do come in old cases too; fine wine, art, collectibles. Come back later and I’ll share my story of each item featured (since updated*). We know the saying that there is many a good tune played on an old fiddle, and if we take a moment to look around us, we will find treasures, albeit old ones, that have held meaning in our lives.
The fertility dolls are collectibles in the West but symbols of abundance and fecundity in African cultures that make and treasure them. They are very popular in Ghana but you can buy them anywhere. The black and white stripped doll is unusual and that is why I treasure it… Both are old and beautifully adorned with beads and important animal symbols of abundance too. Several years ago, I had donated the black and white doll to an auction and, recently, the friend who won the bid decided to gift it back to me… She remembered how much I shared about it and wanted to surprise me in a very special way.
“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.” Dale E. Turner
Weekly Photo Challenge: Old Treasures… an old novelty clock
I found that novelty Kirsch Hamilton Aurora clock on sale and I believe, like the psychedelic lava lamps of the 1960s, the colors and kaleidoscopic effect were meant to draw attention to it. If you look closely, there is a moon shape within the clock and it moves around to the minute, as the glowing hands identify what hour of the day the clock is going to show next. The colors change throughout the day and it has one of those Jetsons in Outer-space with new fangled toys feel. It’s old, it works and I like it.
“For age is opportunity no less than youth itself, though in another dress, and as the evening twilight fades away, the sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Weekly Photo Challenge: Old Treasures… old books
For book lovers everywhere, nothing beats getting our hands on an old book and comparing the contents and point of view to modern sensibilities. The picture is of several old books we own. The book “Four Doll Mammas” was a gift to my kids from their paternal grandpa and it amazes me how vibrant the colors on the cover remain. It was published in 1877 and has several short stories on dolls and their owners. I’ll try and add a picture of the back which had a funny ditty on the Three Little Pigs.
“I could not, at any age, be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Weekly Photo Challenge: Old Treasures… old desk clock
The old desk/alarm clock no longer works but If I remember, it was purchased in San Francisco and has two special deep holders on either side and a card/paper holder in front. What I like about it is the weight and workmanship that went into creating it. It reminds me of the enormous effort that, back in the day, went into building things by hand and making each added feature useful. To some degree, that level of craftsmanship is no longer available to us as many who learned them didn’t pass their gifts on. Plus, nowadays, the high level of consumerism we see demands instant gratification/disposability. If that is not your shtick, then you are compelled to pay exorbitant prices for essentially well crafted, luxury items. I like old things; especially when they tell a story. What do your treasures hold?
What are your memories of treasured things? Do you have any you still cherish? What are your thoughts? Do share? 🙂
Positive Motivation Tip: Treasure the old as you acquire the new… there is richness in both.
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PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Beautiful post, Eliz.
I love the black and white fertility doll . . . it reminds me of a zebra. So cool that you friend had the winning bid in the auction and gifted it back to you.
The moon clock is awesome looking and I love old books. I have several that my grandparents gave to my mom when she was a girl. Old treasures, indeed.
Thank you Nancy, I fell in love with it too for the same reason and because it wasn’t in the typical doll style or coloring.
I was nicely surprised to get it back too… Floored is probably the better word for my reaction. 🙂
Thank you for the link up. I am doing same.
Eliz
I love the clock Elizabeth, and wouldn’t mind owning one like that myself – it must be fascinating to watch, and the colours are gorgeous!
Old books are one of my favourites, I just love them and especially if they have a story attached. You just reminded me of some old books that I have – might try to find them and write about them too. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you Barb,
I will look for information on the clock because it is one of those unique 1950s designs… Love it too. I love old books too but the credit goes to FrizzText who featured them on his post… So I was reminded of them by him… love all you blog friends. We learn from each other.
really neat objects that you used. and I like the stories attached to them! thanks for sharing 🙂
I had donated the black and white doll to an auction and, recently, the friend who won the bid decided to gift it back to me…
+
nice story, good friend!
I love the black and white doll. She looks ready to do battle and win.
The novelty clock is so cool. Isn’t it just amazing to have a book over 100 years old and the red is vibrant?
Love the selections… Those yard sales bring some nice finds.
B
Eliz
A wonderful post: I like, “We all know good things do come in old cases too; fine wine, art, collectibles.”- I love to browse shops for items such as these and other fine art and collectibles. I like the black and white doll too. Thank you for all the history you give us on each of your posts, and the fantasic photos. 🙂
I love the fertility dolls. How thoughtful of your friend to buy the black and white one back for you 🙂
PiP
I love the dolls a lot. I have a “golden book collection” from my daughter she is 17 now. Imagine her kids LOL. The OLD is the best. The best of friends are the OLD ones.
That old desk clock is beautiful!!!
I love your photographic take on the word “old”. That you associate it with treasures says how thoughtful and positive you are in showing all of us that we can find great value in things of age. As you say, in our instant gratification, mass manufacturing world it is good to value things of meticulous construction and age. Just looking at these beautiful treasures takes me to a slower pace of life. Reading an actual book instead of a computer screen, especially. And it is not lost on me that you have selected two “old” clocks, which measure time passing, as your photographic selection for “old”. Brilliant, as usual, Elizabeth! 🙂
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Love the message- !!! 🙂
Oh, fantastic old treasure photos! I love the old book 🙂
Love the novelty clock very retro