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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

What Am I?

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What do you think this is?

I found this awhile back at European Antique Market and fell in love with it’s worn patina and interesting shape.  I knew it had to be something special.

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Drum roll, please………

It’s a French string holder. That’s right, a string holder.

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This particular example is from the 19th century. Before we had adhesive tape, people had to make due with plain old string.  Can you imagine a French butcher using string around brown paper to tie up a rack of lamb or a florist carefully securing a bunch of roses? C’est magnifique. Even housewives had everyday uses for string.  It was definitely a go-to supply so it was important to be able to handle it efficiently.

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Do you see the little hole on top where the string feeds through?  How convenient.   You could use the top decorative metal hook for a guide.

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And, the best part is that is still has it’s original ball of yummy cotton string inside.

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It still retains some of its original red tinted wash.  As do all things French, it has that certain je ne sais quoi.

I found some other images of antique string holders on the web that I wanted to share with you below:

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They include a Victorian paper maché, an English beehive, and an awesome sterling silver example.  Sometimes the hole for the string is on the side.

 

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It would look fabby displayed in a craft room or anywhere for that matter.

Do I keep it, or do I tuck it away in my French inventory for my future Etsy shop and antique mall booth?  What to do, what to do…

Blessings,

Kim

Linking up to:

{Primp} Your Stuff Wednesday at Michele Raven Designs

Whatever Wednesday at Momma Hen’s Coup

Voila! French Inspiration Thursday at French Cupboard

Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours

11 comments:

Maureen Wyatt said...

Oh, I couldn't let that piece go! I actually use string and would die to have one of those. ~ Maureen

Maureen Wyatt said...

I have you on the Linky now.

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Kim, this is such a great piece! All of the holders are great!! That's a keeper!!

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

I never would have guessed that! It's wonderful - lucky find!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Fantastic find Kim. I know about string holders. This is a good one. Following your new Linky.

French Girl in Seattle said...

You got me. I was thinking of something more... nautical! ;-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Mikey Fuller said...

Love the string holder! I have lots of different balls of twine I use as bowl filler in-between seasons! I love it!

Now Following!

~Mikey @ Shabby French Cottage
www.shabbyfrenchcottage.com

Janette - The2Seasons said...

Thanks for stopping by The 2 Seasons. Your blog is beautiful. I can't wait to take the time to go through your archives. I see that you are going to France this fall. We are going back for another bicycle trip - this one just two weeks from Paris to somewhere in Burgundy. We are going to ride from Vienna, Austria to Dresden, Germany through Prague right before that. Oh, la la! I can't wait!!! We should meet when you come to Lexington.

Anonymous said...

I never knew there was such a thing! Wow! Following you via LF and the LF blog hop. Hope to see you at Take Six :)

Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage said...

What a fabulous find, Kim! I love everything about it - the patina, the shape... I would not have guessed it to be a string holder though. But...its function makes it even more special! ;)

Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. I hope to see you again this week.

Blessings,
Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

Lisa Montsion said...

I love the picture of the little dog with the girl.

lisa

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