On and around my work desk today? ... Well, two special things I've been given, one very new, and one with a history. Firstly, through the post, a glorious bookmark and mailart envelope from Cheri, part of the mail-art exchange started by Ginger. Such a thrill to receive it - and thank-you, Cheri!
And secondly, a little bit of history, in the shape of a child's chair - part of the advance load of furniture sent by my parents before their final move here next week. I remember it well: we all sat on it, as children. But it wasn't until much later that I learnt that it had a story, which is particularly apt for this week. All I knew, was that it belonged to my father and had been given him when he was just a baby by one of his uncles.
This uncle had puzzled long and hard about what to give his first nephew - he knew he wanted it to be something that would last. Looking round his workshop one day, his eye fell on a few offcuts of mahogany in the corner. He had had them for a long time, not really sure what to do with them. Allowed to bring them back from a job he'd been doing, they were a bit of a perk at the time for a working class family, for mahogany was much prized and the wood was of excellent quality. But then something terrible happened, and he had not been able to touch them. Years passed, and they lay there, gathering dust ...
Suddenly, he knew: here was a way of giving new life and joy to something touched by tragedy and pain. For this uncle was a cabinet-maker, some of whose finest work had been making mahogany fittings and furniture on a very special liner - the Titanic. He picked up his lathe, and began to fashion a little chair ...
It is a hundred years ago this week since the launch of the Titanic from Belfast docks; they have been remembering it there. And we have been remembering it here too ...
And if you'd like to share in the wonderful Julia's second birthday celebrations of What's On Your Worksdesk Wednesday, do pop over here!
What an incredible story Alexa and a treasure that chair is! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Ginger | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 03:01 AM
My goodness, that is indeed a great story behind the family chair. I have to show my husband this picture later tonight - years ago he made his own lathe :-)
Posted by: Amy | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 03:20 AM
what a great story! Happy WOYWW
Posted by: Helen Lindfield | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 08:31 AM
Happy WOYWW 2nd Birthday. It's so lovely to be linked up with so many creative friends. Gorgeous chair.
Happy crafting.
A x
Posted by: Wipso | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 09:01 AM
What a wonderful story about a very beautiful little chair. Happy birthday WOYWW.
Posted by: Miriam | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 11:22 AM
That's the most perfect Titanic story I have heard this week (and as you can imagine, there have been a few flying around). It's a beautiful piece too, thank you for letting us take a peep.
Posted by: Sian | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 11:52 AM
What a perfect story to be telling this week. Where is it going to live at your house?
Posted by: Amanda | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 01:10 PM
What a wonderful story to have as part of your family history. Happy WOYWW anniversary xx
Posted by: Angelfish | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 02:15 PM
what a great piece of history, a really wonderful story xxx
Posted by: furrypig | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 02:59 PM
What a wonderful story -totally priceless!
That is so special -you will treasure it for years more.
Happy WOYWW
Rebecca (69) x
Posted by: Cauliflower cupcake | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 03:02 PM
What a fab story to go with that beautiful little chair. Happy 2nd anniversary!
Posted by: Twiglet | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 03:44 PM
What a lovely chair and the history with it is amazing ~ Happy WOYWW Anniversary
Posted by: Nicky | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 04:52 PM
An amazing piece of family history,Alexa.
Posted by: Jacky S | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 05:10 PM
What a wonderful heirloom and story, thank you for sharing.
Kathleen x
Posted by: Kathleen | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 06:08 PM
I’m making a special effort to get around everyone as it’s a special week this week.
What a fab chair and such a touching story attached to it. Things like that are priceless and need to be cherished and cared for. Thanks for sharing something so personal.
Happy WOYWW 2nd Anniversary and …………….
Happy Crafting!
Sue
Posted by: Sue H | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 06:19 PM
Fabulous chair and terribly poingnant story... great that something of his art survives!! Have a great week
Frankie
xx
Posted by: Dragon | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 06:53 PM
What a wonderful story about the chair! Our pastor's grandmother was supposed to be on the Titanic but due to circumstances (which I can't recall) she was not.
Posted by: Melissa | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 07:25 PM
What a lovely story Alexa! Fabulous chair!
Posted by: Linda | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 08:02 PM
Darling I believe Literature is Art, read today and yesterdays post and I'll be back for more, your posts were a wonderful PIF no matter what else transpires today,
thank you for your words,
I love colourful language too by the way...
Dxxx
Posted by: doone | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 08:16 PM
ah - not sure what happened there, if this is a duplicate I had better make it different?
Love your art words Lady
will be back for more...
Dxx
Posted by: doone | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 08:18 PM
thanks for sharing your story and Happy 104th WOYWW - its great to see your workspace and 'meet' you through blogland
Happy Creating xx
http://www.nicksartystuff.blogspot.com/
Posted by: nicks | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 09:11 PM
Gosh, that gave me tingles! It's a beautiful chair, and what a poignant story it has xx
Posted by: Mel | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 09:34 PM
what a fabulous story, an amazing piece of history.thanks for sharing.x
Posted by: darcy | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 11:02 PM
What an amazing story! Aren't you lucky to have learned it, that it wasn't lost forever.
Posted by: PaulaSG | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 11:52 PM
What a wonderful story to go with that amazing chair ...I could see a LO or canvas using a photo of the chair and of the joiner, if there is one, and the amazing tale. What a work of art that could be to go with the chair for posterity.
Posted by: angie | Wednesday, 01 June 2011 at 11:55 PM
What a great story about the chair and how it came to be. A real treasure for sure. Love the bookmark too! Happy #104-2nd Anniversary of WOYWW Thanks for sharing. Vickie #55
Posted by: Okienurse | Thursday, 02 June 2011 at 05:44 AM
Great gift and a stunning chair - a piece of your heritage!
Happy WOYWW...Thanks for sharing and have a great week,
Sarah at 12
Posted by: Sarah (Sasa) | Thursday, 02 June 2011 at 09:58 AM
The chair is so quirky and lovely, and what a wonderful story. A real family heirloom!
Posted by: Rosie | Thursday, 02 June 2011 at 11:44 AM
What a fascinating story and a beautiful chair!
Posted by: Karen W | Friday, 03 June 2011 at 02:20 AM
That is absolutely incredible and eerie and cool! Owning something with that kind of story - really deserves a wonderful layout to preserve it.
Posted by: Cheri | Friday, 03 June 2011 at 02:32 AM
It's staggering isnt it - how many lives were touched by the tragedy of the Titanic' loss. The chair is a beauty. I often tell my Aunt that the best gift my daughter was ever given is the little oak stool she gave her...for sitting at, on, standing on and now in her teens, it's a lamp stand. Perfect thing, furniture.
Posted by: Julia Dunnit | Friday, 03 June 2011 at 08:29 AM
Such a lovely story, and what a treasured keepsake. You should get it properly valued hun - it's one of those things that "make" the Antiques Roadshow just for the story behind it. How wonderful... Happy WOYWW 104!
Posted by: Morti | Tuesday, 07 June 2011 at 01:14 PM