I try not to stop into antique shops very often. Very much like bookstores, I can’t seem to leave them without an arm full of stuff and with a much lighter wallet. But, I made an exception over the weekend. And I’m proud of myself! I only came home with two things.
This darling little glass jar with a monogrammed lid:
(I wonder who it belonged to, what they used it for, and how it came to be in a shop for sale…)
And this:
Yes, I know it’s an ashtray, and no I don’t smoke, but I love the floral pattern and the colors. And it goes nicely with another cut glass ashtray I got as a gift many years ago. (And I’ve just realized that it seems I’ve accidentally started an ashtray collection…)
I love collecting old things. I love the stories they tell, and their little chips and imperfections. They remind me of people, I think. Imperfect, but valuable and beautiful nonetheless.
A Virginia Writer's Diary 
Ah… These are so intricately beautiful!
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Yes! I find something new about them every time I look at them.
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That little glass jar looks so beautiful. And I’d love to have a collection of such pretty ashtrays. I like the idea, of collecting old things, the stories they tell.
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So far, I only have two ashtrays. But I just have a feeling that the collection will keep growing. And I’m not mad about it. 🙂
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That’s lovely. I’d love to see more of that ❤️
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They indeed have a history. Charming buys. 🙂
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Thanks! I’m pleased with them. 🙂
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These are both the kind of things that would attract my eye, too! It is so fun to find items like this. Since I have been researching the history of all the family items I am about to pass on, I was looking at powder boxes and jars a lot recently, trying to find the style of powder box like the one my great-grandmother used. I would suspicion your jar is either one that held powder or other vanity items. It is indeed elegant.
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I bet you’re right! That gives me a good idea of where to put it, too. 🙂 It’s always sort of fun, after finding a piece that I like, to then find the perfect place in my house for it. I’m loving all of your posts about those family items!
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Thanks, Katie. It is fun finding out about them. I used to use Great-Grandmother’s powder jar to hold earrings. 🙂
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I love that!
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Gorgeous pieces! I have the same issue – antique pieces seem to call to me – and like you I often wonder about the history attached to the pieces.
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Thank you! I do just love thinking about where they’ve been and where they’ll go once they no longer belong to me. It’s like they have lives of their own.
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Ashtray do seems beautiful.
Sometimes we can’t resist ourselves from buying such thing.
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Exactly! This is why I limit my time in antique shops – it’s hard to resist when you find something that speaks to you. But I’m glad I bought these. A little gift for yourself every now and then is good for the soul, I think. 🙂
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