More Than Just An Object
Antiques go much more further than collecting an object. I’ve discovered them to be a point of connection- connecting you to another person. It creates a point of conversation between people. There becomes a spark of happiness when that vintage item recalls a time in a person’s past that manifests in the form of warm memories or a smile. The smallest antique can put a smile on someone’s face unlike any modern object. Why? Because that object has connected them to a different era, a time when life seemed simpler and wholesome. A time that recalls a past life, past friends, and past family. People who may have little in common are now connected by this object that creates the shared stories, memories, and laughter.
I feel that antiques came from a time when people took pride in their work, and therefore created durable, stylish items that were meant to make the manufacturer a reputable company. They were the innovators and the foundation of things we use today. Many immigrants brought old-world skills to the United States, and set out to create a name for themselves by showcasing their skills. I generally find old items to have a flare- a design that goes beyond utilitarian. Pride, quality, dependability- qualities that the longest lasting American companies hold dear today.
Personally, I use antique and vintage items on a daily basis all around my house. I will make waffles on my 1940 GE flying saucer waffle iron weekly. The beauty is in the process of heating that baby up and taking in the flavors of that “seasoned” griddle decades old. I will use my vintage Master Tufboy tape measure to measure my packages before using the tailor’s Wiss scissors to cut the package labels. I will weigh the packages on my old Columbia Family Scale which is perched on my desk on top of my vintage native american mini-rug. I will mash my potatoes with my old wire metal masher and use vintage dishes to serve. I embrace the quality items of times past, and I keep them alive through daily use. I would encourage you to use these items as a point of connection- connecting to one another, to a memory, and to a different era of life. Use them to make yourself or someone else smile!
Jerry@TheAntiqueSlinger.com /// 312-568-6643 /// Chicago, Illinois 60611