How I wish I had asked my mother about it before it was too late. From the date stamp, it is possible that it was her mother's - but something I do recall her saying was that the only possession she had that had been her mother's was a saucepan lid! This stuck in my mind because it was so bizarre, and also because there was an old saucepan lid which she always kept.
The finer details don't matter, suffice to say that my grandmother was the second wife of my grandfather. Ultimately two of the much older sons from that first marriage ended up living with my grandmother and grandfather and they, allegedly, claimed everything when my grandfather died...well, all but the saucepan lid.
Unfortunately, I will never find out the story of the hansom cab (or the saucepan lid) because the last one standing, my mother's sister, has no memory of it at all.
So, the history of the brooch must begin with my mother, but that still leaves a lot of years where it was presumably enjoyed by someone else. Hang on while I call a cab...
The brooch is precious. I can see it holding a scarf. The missing tail lights make the ride in the dark more romantic.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, ...which just goes to show what a wonderful story teller you are, I wouldn't have thought of that. That is the story I shall tell Francesca.
DeleteVery nice brooch. Maybe if you ask a antique traders you will know about it.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Elna
Hi Elna, That is a very good suggestion - thank you. Enjoy your weekend.
DeleteHello Elaine...Your mother's brooch will be a wonderful gift to pass on to Francesca. I could see it in a small velvet drawstring pouch.
ReplyDeleteHello Meggie, I'm fairly sure I have a velvet pouch, I shall look it out. You are right, Francesca will love it, especially if I start telling her about it from an early age.
DeleteIt's beautiful, I have never seen a brooch depicting a cab before.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Hi Jane, I have always been horse-mad, so I suppose it was odds on that I would like it even though the horse is scarcely seen!
DeleteNot often you find humour in jewellery. That's fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Cro, I am so pleased you enjoyed it.
DeleteI LOVE that brooch. I also get frustrated having missed asking the right questions when I had the chance. But, the joy is that the brooch came from your mother and brings back sweet memories (even if they are of a saucepan lid)!
ReplyDeleteHi Mitch, It really is a sweet little brooch, much nicer than the photograph. I am so fortunate to have many momentos of my mother, she made sure I wouldn't be left with just a saucepan lid!
DeleteWhat a treasure! It is an unusual piece - at least, I have never seen anything like it. Like you, I have a very few mementos of my mother - her copy of Shakespeare's plays, a lovely scarf - nothing valuable to anyone but me. Love the story of the saucepan lid. These things are valuable because of the secrets they embody - if only they could talk.
ReplyDeleteHi Evlyn, That old saucepan lid! As a child I thought it was silly, now I understand why she held on to it. I recently discovered a cache of letters which my mother had written to my aunt and uncle during my childhood - that was like winning the lottery! Shakespeare's plays and a lovely scarf sound like beautiful momentos, I am so glad you have them.
DeleteIt's a wonderful brooch! I can understand why you love it so.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie, Thank you for calling by. It really is a sweet, old fashioned little brooch which never fails to bring back happy memories!
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