The first three are items that came home with me from Romania:
I found this in a little corner supermarket in Bucharest.
It is too good to use as a pencil holder really.
It is a clay pot, but covered in an incredibly soft leather that has been dyed in a rich blue, just as you see it above. I have never seen anything like it, before or since. It was the only one in the store, and it cost me all of $2.00!
I LOVE this stylized fish!
I received him as a birthday gift while I was in Romania.
But I had had my eye on him for along time -- I guess my friends knew I was longing for one.
Romania is well-known for its glass artisans, and they are so talented.
The fish comes in many different colours, but I like the silvery gold brass, and the milky glass.
He was NOT cheap, I know - so I am grateful to have him!
This, too, was a gift - but actually from someone who could ill-afford to purchase a gift for me.
She wanted to give me a parting gift, when I was leaving Romania, but as she had no money, she gave me this, which she said had been in her family for a long time. I treasure it because it was a sacrifice for her to give it to me.
She took me all the way up many, many stone steps to her dark, little attic room, where the doll had been all wrapped up in tissue, in a little box, tucked away under her rickety old bed. She wouldn't allow me to refuse it.
I am not really convinced of this precious doll's age, but she is beautiful, and a far cry from the kind of cheap doll souvenirs that are available there now in every store and that all look alike.
Her Romanian costume is very authentic; her shoes are made of real leather and her clothes appear to be hand-embroidered.
Look at her hair! I believe it is real, and it's very carefully plaited.
Oh, she brings back great memories for me!
Finally, a dear friend brought me these from Bali, Indonesia:
They are actually fridge magnets, about 4-5 inches long/wide,
carved in wood, painted black and then designed with hundreds of multicoloured
drops of paint. I love them!
I really enjoy unique forms of art and am always on the lookout for them.
I might find some more around the house to show you!
What unique forms of art do you have?
What beautiful treasures, Kathy. I think that pot is out of this world...absolutely gorgeous; but what an interesting story about the doll - that lady must have really appreciated you. x
ReplyDeleteShe was an amazing lady, Elizabeth. Like many Romanians I met, she had so little, but always gave so much of herself to others. I could write a book about her (maybe I will one day!).
ReplyDeleteI really love all of these little treasures. At first I thought , well I'm not into dolls but the story behind it makes it very precious indeed.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting. I have found some glass objects covered in leather in the Balkan countries many years ago, but nothing as elaborite as that vase. Alas mine broke the leather was cut by the glass and it looked very sad so I reluctantly got rid of it.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly should write about the whole experience you had over there.
Thanks, ChrisJ - I'm not really in to dolls either, but as you say this one is precious.
ReplyDeleteSnafu, sounds like your leather-covered glass was similar, what a shame it broke. I never have written much about my time in Romania -- you are right -- I should!