Prompt and Circumstance

Meanwhile 'Downunder'

'furniture' Feb. 19, 2016

Below our Grandfather Clock, more cherished chattels live atop our dear old Oak writing desk. Bought at a farm clearing sale in Western Australia in the late 1960's for an amazingly low price, it was old and dirty and unloved. It wore the scars of having been broken into once upon a time. In the many hours we spent on its restoration we often wondered what valuables were once locked inside - perhaps someone's life-savings; a Will that would change fortunes and hearts; maybe even ill-gotten or illicit gains?

And we imagined the letters written on its drop-down lid. A whole gamut of news and happenings; tragedies and deaths; celebrations and wondrous announcements. Surely there would have been first love, and then expression of the developing feelings and commitment. Life and Death and every moment in between would have happened on this fine old desk - despite its weary condition this first day. Fanciful thoughts... but strangely comforting as we vigorously rubbed and polished our find with many heavy layers of 'elbow grease'.

Our aching muscles mattered little as the full warmth and mellow charm began to emerge like a butterfly from the ugliest chrysalis.What a wondrous glow old Oak has - our favourite timber - the one that most of our furniture is made from. Its eternal appeal to us actually began with this early piece. We were irresistibly drawn to its mellow charm and character and all its wondrous potential. A drop-down lid revealed its hidey-hole type dividers, and although difficult to see, each side of the top drawer has a couple of pull-out 'arms' to ready that lid for writing.

Some years later and back in our home State once again, our beloved desk found her 'forever' home as an irreplaceable part of the scene below our Grandfather clock from Denmark. A precious group was formed that has stayed together for over forty years, gracing some special spots in five of our homes in two States of Australia. It could be said they are inseparable - from each other and equally from us.

The oldest member of the desktop team is an Antique Brass Iron c.1850 - a treasure that has been in the Danish Larsen family for five generations. Although appearing purely ornamental, it was a working item once upon a time. A square hole at the back with a 'guillotine' trapdoor, encloses a space containing a spearhead-shaped piece of Iron-stone. This was heated on the top of a wood stove, wrapped in absorbent cloth and inserted into the iron. One imagines there would be two iron-stones alternately heating and/or in actual use. Can you imagine the work involved in ironing those mountains of petticoats and long, full skirts? And the cotton nightgowns and other 'unmentionables' of the day - ALL requiring ironing?

The other end of the desk is graced with an Antique Brass Mortar and Pestle - also c.1850, and also believed to have been in the Larsen family almost forever. When I tell you this two piece item is solid brass, you'd better believe it. Together, they weigh 2-1/2 lb. (1109 grams). I wonder if my 'modern' marble mortar and pestle will last the same distance? Doubt it somehow.

And in the middle of these antiquities, two beautiful 'Birds' take pride of place.

There is a small replica of the famous Little Mermaid statue in the harbour of Copenhagen, Denmark. It celebrates the heroine of the famous story of the same name, by Hans Christian Andersen.

The tiny figure of a Robin is not a familiar sight to Australians. Temperatures that drop far below zero are impossible for many of us to imagine. But some of my husband's clearest memories of Denmark include propping up 'sheaves' of hay on a broomstick for the birds, because they could not forage on the ground due to its snow and ice coverage. This was particularly done as a Christmas present for the Danes' small feathered friends.

Typically, small birds puff up their feathers' to fullest capability for warmth. The beauty and faithful attention to detail depicted in this 'Robin' ornament are a hallmark of Royal Copenhagen porcelain items. With its sharp yellow beak and jet black beady eyes, it looks ready to burst into song at any moment.

Much like their owners, this group have a marriage that has stood the test of time. Ours for more than fifty years, and theirs sneaking right up behind us. We antiques have a definite affinity.