Marion was born in the late 1800s in Manchester. She spent her career as a very much loved girls school headmistress. Sadly her fiance was killed in WW1 as was her brother Norman and she apparently spent many years in a fruitless search for their graves. In her later life she was unfortunately the victim of burglary & lost many precious things. But this little box managed to remain in her possession until her death in 1972!
GreatGreat Aunt Marions box - battered but well loved! |
When opened the box reveals its hidden treasure. I have chosen 10 items to show in more detail |
Marion was a great traveller & was lucky to go to many exotic places. This bracelet shows the major towns of Switzerland with the scenes painted onto enamel |
This is a handmade beaded choker sadly now falling apart |
One of the brooches in the box. I think this is marcasite? It catches the light beautifully |
This piece & another similar one confused me at first but I think I've worked out that these clip on either side of a collar on a blouse or cloak. Purely for decoration. |
This is a mourning brooch made of the famous Whitby Jet. It has been broken over the years but if i have enough money one day I hope to restore it. This also held the same photos as the necklace above/ |
The coral necklace & earrings. I wore this necklace often but it had tightened over the years so we had it restrung & its much better. Theres no way I could wear the screw on earrings though! |
The joker in the pack? This necklace is made if golden cotton(?) crochet work & golden beads but seems to have a 1960s feel to it! |
Another mourning brooch - poor Marion :( I've shown the other side of the necklace with the photo of her father (my great x3 Grandfather) James Wilson b1853 |
Last but not least is little chap. My favourite I think. I dont know what he is made of or why she had him in there but he adds a certain whimsy to the collection don't you think? |
Thanks for reading xx
Wow! Those are some amazing items. Yeah, I kinda like the last one best, too. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my these are just amazing. How lucky you are to have these, I think my favourite is that pretty brooch.
ReplyDeleteSome really beautiful treasures there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful collection and treasured memories of an aunty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
xxx
My favorite would be the box itself! Oh what I could do with a box like that!
ReplyDeleteWhat memories in that box. I loved the tales you told; my favourite would have to be what I would call a cardigan clip.
ReplyDeleteElx
What an absolutely wonderful collection - every piece with a story all of its own. I love it! An inspired choice for your first "ten" Heather
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful collection to have, full of precious memories:)
ReplyDeleteI'm taking part in Ginger's Mail Art Exchange, so just popping over to say "Hi!"