It's in the Cards

What's It Wednesday #56

 

A lover of all things Victorian, this post is inspired by those brief but oh so memorable years of excess and social graces. Even a simple visit was made an event. Thus, our first treasure, the calling card receiver. The hall table would hold an item such as this. This one is of the period, quite ornate and unusual in design.

I purchased it from a darling little old lady many years ago. I just love it! It was proper etiquette to present your “calling card” to the doorman or butler who would present it to the Master or Mistress by way of announcing you. If they were not home or not receiving visitors, the card would be left with a message.

This one is more modern, but the little hummingbird just won my heart.
 

The Victorians were big on ceremony, so every fashionable lady or gentleman would carry a card case with their own elaborately designed name cards.

This sterling necessaire is designed to hold cards, mirror, powder and a few coins, all that was “necessary” for a true lady as she made her visits.

This colorful rhinestone one is from Czechoslovakia.

This later case is made of mother of pearl.

The cards themselves were works of art. It became common practice to save the cards or display them in "scrap" books such as this. I found this one and just fell in love with the gorgeous graphics. Imagine these were called "scraps"!

They collected greeting cards and advertisements, as well. I'm so glad the Victorians were such pack rats!

 

Sadly, this is another of the social graces lost. Our cards are now business or networking tools. But, I still like to display mine pretty...

 

and dream of by gone days spent filling my dance card. Maybe we'll return to this glorious time. We'll have to wait and see if “it's in the cards”.

Hugs,

Patti

 

Here are this week's features:

Penny's Vintage Home

 

21 Rosemary Lane

 

An Extraordinary Day

 

 At the Farmhouse

 

Always Nesting

 

A Southern Belle with Northern Roots

 

Don't forget to grab a feature button:
 
 

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We are partying with these fine folks:

From My Front Porch to Yours

{Primp}

The Brambleberry Cottage

Coloradolady

The Vintage Farmhouse

French Country Cottage

The Thrifty Groove

The Charm of Home

Common Ground

Craftberry Bush

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen

Bliss Ranch

My Romantic Home
Faith, Grace, and Crafts
Rooted In Thyme
Coastal Charm
A Stroll Thru Life
Boogieboard Cottage
The Tablescaper
The Farmhouse Porch
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Savvy Southern Style
 

Thank you all for participating in our

“What's It Wednesday” Linky Party!

 

Come show off your whatchamacallits, what is its, what it once was, and "hey, look what I just did" posts. In other words, what you created, organized, designed or re-designed, found, purchased, transformed, inherited, re-purposed, renovated, are selling, or giving-away.

Please be sure to do the following for us:

1. Provide a link back to your post (not your main blog url).
2. Feel free to copy and paste our party button on your sidebar. This way other fabulous folks can join in the fun as well.
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The Eyes Have It!

We depend on our eyes more than any of our five senses. So of course much attention is focused on aiding and enhancing our sight. Victorian women were known for sporting long gold chains that were either looped or draped across the front of their gorgeous dresses. Watches, lockets or magnifiers were often suspended from these fabulous chains. This charming gold and mother-of-pearl treasure features a beautiful petit point flower. I can just imagine the well-dressed lady that wore it with such grace.

 
This is a folding lorgnette that can be worn or carried. 

Ladies of the period would not wear glasses but would use the lorgnette or magnifier to see more clearly.

These lovely mother-of-pearl opera glasses would be tucked into a lady’s evening bag and then taken out to use during the performances.

These were just as much decorative as utilitarian.

Now, let’s play I spy. Do you spy two eyes in this picture? These are Georgian lover’s eye pins.

This one has an intricate gold casing. They feature just the eye so they can be worn without disclosing the identity of the secret lover.

This one is encircled by garnets. They were also made into rings as well.

Can you guess this one? It is an old eyewash cup in cobalt blue. You would fill it with water or medicine, place it over the eye with one hand and hold the eye open with the other.

 This type of eyeglass is called a “pince-nez”. They fit tightly on the nose with no handles.

 They, too, fold and fasten with a clasp that can be suspended on a chain.

A pair of early wire framed glasses.

 Notice the small size that speaks to the small stature of people during the past century.

 This stereoscope is the Victorian home theatre. You could purchase scenes of famous sites and enjoy viewing them at home. 

 This view is the Winter Palace of the Czar of Russia.

Let’s end with this man’s pince-nez with attached ear hook, displayed on my favorite eyeglass holder, that also has storage for false teeth. It always makes me smile.

Hugs,

 Patti & Paula


We're linking to the following parties:
Inspire Me Mondays @ Singing Three Little Birds
Pink Hippo Party @ Pinkapotamus
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Mosaic Monday @ Little Red House
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Glitter Link Party @ Running With Glitter
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle
Creative Blogger's Party @ Homemaker on a Dime
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Making The World Cuter Monday @ Making The World Cuter
Making Monday Marvelous @ C.R.A.F.T.
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Twice Owned Party @ Creating a House of Grace
Club G.W. @ Charm Bracelet Diva
Time to Shine @ A Diamond in the Stuff
Anything Goes @ Type A
Tuesday Time Out @ Reasons to Skip the Housework
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday @ Primp
Wednesday Link Party @ Very Merry Vintage Style
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville
Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Farmhouse Friday @ LaurieAnna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri Party @ 2805
Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Oh-la-la Link Party @ Shabby Chic Girls' Club
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper
Sunday Favorites @ Happy to Design
Sister Sunday Link Party @ Sisters of the Wild West

The Spice of Life

They say that variety is the spice of life, and “spices” come in many varieties and ways to store them.  This is a German spice box from the 1800’s. It is hand carved from oak. It can stand alone or be hung on the wall.

My favorite part is the porcelain knobs and name tags. The lady that I bought it from even gave me the translations for each spice.

The fact that it has survived with all the gorgeous detail intact is amazing.

This spice box is equally as old, but American made. It is tin with hand stenciling. I love its worn exterior. Would you believe this little footed stand is not attached, but a later find that fits just perfectly!?

Inside the six tin canisters are stenciled with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger, allspice, and mace.

Can you guess what this is? No? It is a French nutmeg grinder, with tiny air holes to keep it fresh, carved from a coquilla nut.

People also use them as pomanders or thimble holders. I would love to have a silver one, but they are so-o-o expensive! They date back to the 1700’s.

This beautiful pepper mill was made in Italy. It looks gorgeous adorning any table or shelf.

Notice the ornately carved details and painting. Even the filigree handle is a work of art.

On top of that, this pepper mill has a secret! It plays music when you pick it up, and stops when you place it on the table. I wish I knew the name of the tune.

The earliest known spice is salt, and over the years, it has been refined and brought to the table in many ways. This open salt with serving spoon is made of silver and crystal. The wings open in back for easy access. Each place setting would have its own. Classy, huh?

So the next time you reach for the Morton salt box or McCormick pepper tin, know that people the world over are “spicing” it up!

Love,

Patti

We're linking to the following parties:

Seasonal Sunday @	The Tablescaper
Sunday Blog Love @	Cherished Treasures
Masterpiece Monday @	Boogie Board Cottage
Making the World Cuter Monday @	Making the World Cuter
DebbieDoo's Newbie Party @	DebbieDoo's
Today’s Thrifty Treasures@	Southern Hospitality
Show Off Your Cottage Monday @	The House in the Roses
Mosaic Monday @	Little Red House
Metamorphosis Monday @	Between Naps on the Porch
Blue Monday @	Smiling Sally
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @	Coastal Charm
Club G.W. @	Charm Bracelet Diva
Tuesday’s Treasures @	My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Twice Owned Tuesday	Creating a House of Grace
Table Top Tuesday @	A Stroll Thru Life
Anything Goes @	Type A
Time to Shine @	A Diamond in the Stuff
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday @	{Primp}
Wow Us Wednesday @	Savvy Southern Style
Sizzle Into Summer Party @	DIY by Design
Share the Love Wednesday @	Very Merry Vintage Style
Open House Party@	On Sutton Place
Vintage Thingie Thursday @	The Coloradolady
Transformation Thursday @	The Shabby Chic Cottage
Thrifty Thursday@	Tales From Bloggeritaville
Time Travel Thursday @	The Brambleberry Cottage
Treasure Hunt Thursday @	From My Front Porch to Yours
Pearls and Lace Thursday @	Faith, Grace, and Crafts
Tablescape Thursday @	Between Naps on the Porch
Show off Your Stuff Party @	Fireflies and Jellybeans
Vintage Inspiration Friday @	Common Ground
Fridays Unfolded @	Stuff and Nonsense
Home Sweet Home @	The Charm of Home
Show and Tell Friday @	My Romantic Home
Inspiration Friday @	At the Picket Fence
Feathered Nest Friday @	French Country Cottage
Potpourri Friday @	2805
Thrifty Things Friday @	The Thrifty Groove
Farmhouse Friday @	LaurieAnna’s Vintage Home
Sat Nite Special @	Funky Junk Interiors
Silver Sunday @	Gypsy Fish Journal
Sunday Showcase @	Under the Table and Dreaming
Sunday Favorites @	Happy to Design

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