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Mothers day ideas
Posted by Amy Lugten on 10/03/2015
Mother’s Day, we’re told, was created by American Anna Jarvis in the early 20th century, to honour her mother whom she loved so much. While Jarvis had the best intentions at heart, like so many heartfelt ideas, big companies soon got in on the act. Even though Woodrow Wilson, U.S. President, got in on the act by officially recognising Mother’s Day in 1914, by that stage Jarvis’s original idea was out of her hands.
Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be all about commercialism, though. And that’s not what antiques are about either. They’re about care, love, attention and knowledge. Most importantly, they’re about time. They’re old. They were created in periods of turmoil or happiness, glory or shame. But they tell us a story about a time. What better way to think about your Mother or wife or partner, then, than by buying them a timepiece to show them how much you think of them? A superb example of such a timepiece can be found on the website at the moment – a Rolex ‘Princess’ wristwatch (http://www.antiques.co.uk/antique/Rolex-Princess-Wristwatch). Made around 1931, the watch was designed as a pendant for the ‘Prince’ watch – a ‘his and hers’, if you like. It features the beautiful Rolex design of the late 20s and early 30s, and is slender, stylish and of course, timeless. Originating in England, but having to leave after World War I, the owners and makers of Rolex watches took their ingenuinity to Switzerland, but the motivation and the philosophy remain very British.
A second example dating from around 1925 is also available on the website (http://www.antiques.co.uk/antique/Ladies-Rolex-Wristwatch). With a 9 carat gold bezel and lovely 20s typeface and styling, this watch would compete with any timepiece of the period for beauty, elegance and sophistication. Rolex timepieces feature extremely well-made materials and the finished product is of course highly reputable. In keeping with the art nouveau and art deco styling of the watches – and indeed with our theme of time – is this splendid art nouveau obsidian clock (http://www.antiques.co.uk/antique/French-Clock-obsidian-Art-Nouveau). French-made, the clock is beautiful obsidian with lovely decorative elements, and gilt bronze. It has lovely ornate columns on either side, and a sculpted urn on top. A must for any self-respecting mantelpiece, and another timeless token of your love for your Mother.
Have a lovely day,
Amy