As you love French vintage, I propose a small category "cabinet of curiosities", to show you amazing things, from my collection (I am a collector maniac!)
I would start by talking about the Douaumont's Ossuary ,constructed to preserve the memory of fallen soldiers at Verdun in 1916.
There are the 46 tombs housing the remains of several soldiers. These tombs cover tanks which are deposited the remains of 130 000 unknown soldiers
without distinction of nationality, where families can gather and pray for their dead.
On the arch, each stone is engraved the name of a missing soldier, or a veterans organization.
Here is what I have: a "poudrier" with the image of this ossuary ..
It is very very moving .. it dates from 1920, the woman who had it , by powdering her face, was (wanted!) constantly rethink the man she has lost and who is forever in this ossuary
It's very strange is'nt it?
11 comments:
Very unusual and a bit strange. But in the twenties, they were doing lots of strange things. Did you ever hear about the brooches women wore with live spiders??
Esthernita,
Just like Renate said, but even the late Victorians where a bit odd with some of their ideas of honoring the dead. There are the death mask photos. They would have a photo made of their love one after they were prepared for burial. Or what about the mourning jewelry Queen V. made popular, after she started to wear jewelry with Prince Albert's hair.
I find it ever so interesting to see how different cultures live and how the practices of cultures change over time. We humans a rather a strange breed of animal!! :)
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.
Very very touching and beautiful I think.....oh so sad.
Esther, I am moved to tears. My son is a soldier. I can't really express what I feel except that it is comforting to know that monuments to those fallen in war are there to give comfort to those who have lost loved ones.
Esther
Thank you for sharing a bit of French history...this is a landmark that I might not have heard of if it were not for your post. I wonder who orignally owned the powder compact.
I learned something new today ... thank you for the history lesson and the compact is beautiful! I hope you'll reveal more of your collection. On another note, I was glad to read that the etching is working well for you.
So, you are a collector maniac ! Ah ah...
Thanks to share with us your treasures Sweetie. The poudrier is so lovely, and so strange in fact.
Romizous.
How interesting, but how sad in the same time, but this is part of life, isn't it? Very moving indeed... The poudrier is a real treasure, it looks fantastic!
Have a wonderful Sunday evening, lots of love,
Sanda xx
thanks for sharing this, i had not heard of it either and your compact, what a little treasure.
you asked about cotillion; in this case it's a group of boys and girls who learn formal dance and etiquette.
Lovely powder compact! Some have different ways of honoring the deceased. Maybe the compact was used often and held as a memento of sorts for a lost soldier.
Fantastic thing ; the "poudrier" tells us a story after years...
Thank you to share your treasures with us !
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