Peeling, battered and faded labels are beautiful to me; they whisper use and the passage of time in a way that newly-made-to-look-old bits and pieces never could. Scribbling is a part of my daily life - in letters, in countless notebooks, on lists, in birthday cards and as you'd guess I have my favourite pens - usually the sort that glide across a page and feel partially weighted in my hand but I'm still on the hunt for a keeper. I have quite a few very old ink bottles with uneven bottoms and green hued glass, they sit perfectly on a windowsill casting a gentle sea foam glow, but my newest addition is much younger and still has a little ink in the bottom. The shape of the jar was what bewitched me most of all but the label and lid also cast a spell. I'd like to imagine the rest of the ink was used by someone who loved to write.
What an unusual shape! I can really relate to what you say about pens. It's nib thickness too, for me, not too scratchy but not so thick it conceals my flourishes!
ReplyDeleteI can see you with a quill, wax seal and brass stamp!
Lovely find.
Gosh Jem you really have stolen my heart with this. I’ve always had this wild fascination with paper and ink, nothing beats the art of a handwritten letter (as you know). This humle old jar could tell a thousand stories xxx
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ReplyDeleteSo loving the fact that there is ink left in the pretty bottle! lovely images! x
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning shape that bottle has, that along is lovely. Yet all the torn labels, the markings and the dribbles of ink make it one gorgeous little piece. I prefer my vintage items a little worn and marked, shows they had a life [which I hope was loved] before they arrived in my hands.
ReplyDeleteI saw a bull in the tear in the label, not sure what that says about me, but I don't mind things a bit crumpled either. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for a quill, but I do like a 'wet ink' pen over a biro any day.
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Wow. Seriously wow. I am obsessed too with all things pen, paper or ink also, as you know! The idea of having a quill and ink, scratching away on parchment or old paper on top of those Jane Austen style writing slopes - heaven! I definitely prefer anything un-biro-y myself, and something weighty in the hand is always nicer than anything else; I long for the days when I can write with my weighty fountain pen (yes, I still love them) in my Smythson diary whilst I leisurely lunch with my agent (in this particular stationery related fantasy, like all other, am best selling author hence the lunches, and hence the agent!)
ReplyDeleteHi Jem....as you know, I love anything old, so really appreciate your blog post on this lovely old bottle. How is your Etsy coming along? It's a lot of work, heh? Mine is keeping me very busy and out of trouble! Ha
ReplyDeleteLinda
This little bottle is so lovely, i love your description :o) Scarlett x
ReplyDeleteLovely! Currently having a iphone case giveaway! There is case like fifi lapin and others :)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful bottle. Imagine all the stories it could tell!
ReplyDeleteSophie x
love this, it's beautiful
ReplyDeleteLovely post, I bet that bottle can tell a tale or two.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
beautiful photos and it reminds me of those historical drama of a victorian lady sat writing her letters, i just love this post!
ReplyDeletexx susan
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