I walked into the Dulles Convention Center two months ago as I always do each spring. They were having their annual antique show. I love walking up and down the aisles looking at things from the past. The show has everything a person could imagine. There is furniture, dishes, kitchenware, jewelry, tools, and decor. It is like taking a trip into the past.
Some of the things are not really very old, maybe from the 1950s or 60s but some of it is centuries old. It is fascinating to see things that are not even used anymore. There was a display of salt cells and mini spoons. Before salt shakers were a staple on dining tables, each person would have a tiny cell, or dish, with a mini spoon to serve themselves salt during a meal. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and materials.
The detail is wonderful and it makes a plain old salt shaker seem boring. As I looked over these I started to wonder why people made the switch to salt shakers and I mentally decided that when I had a family someday, we will use salt cells from the 19th century at our dinner table.
Next, I went to the jewelry cases. I noticed a beautiful emerald and seed pearl lavaliere set in rose gold. It was delicate with a very intricate setting. The necklace was clearly handmade in the very early part of the 20th century. I would have bought it but the price was, unfortunately, more than I was able to spend that day. As I continued on I wondered why girls today don't wear beautiful pieces of jewelry like that anymore. Most people opt for chunky, sturdy pieces or very simple new jewelry from chain stores. I have always worn the stunning heirloom pieces that I have gotten or borrowed from family members because I think antique pieces are more beautiful and unique.
As I came around the corner, I saw it. An 1820s spinning wheel just like the one Rumplestiltskin used in the story. It was in perfect condition. Whoever had used the wheel had taken great care of it. I could only imagine the beautiful garments that it had helped to create. I bought that spinning wheel. It is huge, and old, and heavy, and a bit weird but I love it because it is a piece of history and even if I never learn it, it has a story. I love to think about the time it took someone to spin thread to make clothing for themselves. I understand why people of the 19th century had only two or three shirts as opposed to the 100 t-shirts we all have in our oversized closets.
Driving home I thought about why I prefer these things to the stuff at the mall and I came to a realization. Society now moves so fast. People and things are disposable. No one wants to trouble themselves with things that take more time, they just want to get things done quickly. I realized that the necklace I coveted is one that you can't sleep in, shower in, or swim in and girls do not want to have to take a necklace on and off all the time. They want to put something on and look good and not worry about its special care. That is so sad to me because they miss out on something beautiful.
I think one of the keys to enjoying life is to slow down and pay attention to the things around you. Learn from the past and appreciate older things, older people, and our history. As we move forward in life it is so easy to get caught up in it. Antiques teach us that it can be fun to look back every once and a while and slow down.
