Posted 7 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
Thrift-store find. Not even 1 USD-- The same thrift-store I find most of my antiques at. I'm unsure as to why this particular thrift-store gets such good stuff other than that God blesses them as they bless the community in His name.
The plate was engraved in 1870. As for when the plate was pressed against this paper, I know not. But probably not terribly long after.
I attempted to add colour and shadowing via an editing program after cleaning up the image as the camera went berserk with the details.
No 2 people can drink that much coffee, so I figure that's the biggest hookah I've ever seen. LOL
LOL, I've seen those in person, and they're generally just barely any smaller. I'd use it for hot water.
I love it---but I can't figure out what is happening exactly. So the subject matter intrigues--I'll be thinking about it.
Post-Card Collector, the woman's eyes look tired. Though she has tried to dress nicely with jewelry, she seems to be relieving her back as she hunches down and forward in a relaxed position after hard work. The man has his hand on his head, much like I do when with a head-ache, and seems to be staring off into nothing-- perhaps thinking about never-ending work as he leans into that damaged wall with straw under the vessels of olive oil and...? (perhaps) on the ledge.
The baby is in a meager woven-straw basket on a rough stone floor with what looks like debris on it. They're all centered around that brass 'hookah', as Blunderbuss calls it, that pours warm goodness (coffee or tea?) into unadorned tea-pot and cups atop a fairly plain table-cloth. Their wall has damage, so they're likely in an inherited, ancient home on a poor, dark farm ruled by harsh leaders in their depressing, cold land.
Or, they're fine and just relaxing after a hard day's work, enjoying a spot of tea before bed. Who can say. LOL.
AH ! The good ol' country ! Actually, my interpretation of the time period, they would be better than peasants if they have coffee or tea.
Very unusual as subject matter. Makes one appreciate whatever they do have.
Blunderbuss, I'm not too familiar with serfs after the 1700s, so I cannot say much.
Post Card Collector, until the next best thing comes along. LOL.
Could be a 19th cent. meth. lab. LMAO !!
Most likely so.
Hi Spirit, long time! That big thing on the table is called "samovar". A staple in every Russian home, although they are popular in Middle East as well. I always wanted one, and this past weekend finally got one at an estate sale, with all the Imperial awards, etc. Now i have something to make some hot water in! =)
Indeed, Anna. Glad to see you around.
I seen them now and then, but they're usually so highly priced I'd never consider one. LOL.
You can glean so much from a picture, you are a story-teller . What a way with words!! Are you writing books? Articles?? The world so needs someone like you to explain it all. Very astute and perceptive--that is you! So glad you are here with us. Lois
Post-Card Collector, thank you. I occasionally write short-stories, religious treatises, and essays on various topics. My diction is poor compared to most writers, but Hemingway was said to never have sent one of his readers to a dictionary, either. People seem so impressed by big words, but I find them to be a put-off if you want people to actually understand you. Sadly, for me, my grammar is very old-fashioned, so many modern (dare I say text-savvy, not book-savvy) people don't understand me in my written form just by that fact!
I think that when a writer speaks to the reader on a personal, person to pesson level, that is the most imporant part of gaining an audience. And you DO,-- do just that.