ANTIQUES AND CURIOS IN OUR HOMES - AND THE REASON WE LOVE TO HAVE THEM IN OUR PRESENCE
WHY WE COLLECT……BUT FIND IT HARD TO EXPLAIN TO THOSE WHO DON'T
IN AN EARLY 1900'S BOOK, ON COLLECTING, AUTHOR AND ANTIQUE SPECIALIST, G.M. VALLOIS, WHO WROTE "ANTIQUES AND CURIOS IN OUR HOMES," CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WITH HER INSIGHTFUL PREFACE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A "PREFACE-AVOIDER," SO IT WAS ODD IN THIS CASE, TO STOP BY THESE INTRODUCTORY PAGES. I ALWAYS LIKE TO GET TO THE STORY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, WHICH IS A LITTLE ODD, CONSIDERING I WRITE WITH MASSIVE PREAMBLES TO MY OWN STORIES…..WHICH SOMETIMES NEVER REALLY GET PAST THE PREFACE STAGE BEFORE THEY ARE CONCLUDED. BUT ANYWAY, THE AUTHOR, IN THIS CASE, OFFERS A VERY PHILOSOPHICALLY RELEVANT MESSAGE, REGARDING SOME OF THE MORE INTIMATE REASONS WE COLLECT THINGS. OF COURSE, THIS IS FROM AN EARLY CENTURY, POST VICTORIAN PERSPECTIVE. IN MY OPINION, IT SAYS, IN A FEW PARAGRAPHS, SOMETHING WHICH WOULD TAKE ME A "WAR AND PEACE" SIZE MANUSCRIPT, TO RELATE THE SAME SIMPLE MESSAGE.
"KING SOLOMAN REMARKED A FEW YEARS AGO THAT, 'OF THE MAKING OF BOOKS THERE IS NO END!' WHAT WOULD HE SAY NOW WHEN WE MULTIPLY THEM BY THOUSANDS EVERY WEEK? 'WHY, THEN,' YOU NATURALLY SAY, 'ADD YET ANOTHER,' AND MY ANSWER IS THAT IT HAS AN EMPTY PLACE TO FILL."
THE AUTHOR NOTES, "BEAUTIFUL, LEARNED, AND COSTLY BOOKS THERE ARE WITHOUT END ON THE SUBJECT I HAVE TAKEN UP, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE NOTHING TO HELP THE AMATEUR WHO DOES NOT MEAN TO MAKE A REGULAR STUDY OF ANTIQUES, EVEN IN ONE DEPARTMENT, BUT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT HIS OWN POSSESSIONS. SOME HELP IS NEEDED FOR THE MAN OR WOMAN WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POTTERY AND PORCELAIN, BETWEEN A TUDOR CHEST AND A CHIPPENDALE CABINET, OR BETWEEN A TEA CADDY OF PAUL LAMERIE'S, AND ONE OF ELECTROPLATE MADE LAST WEEK.
"WE MUST WALK BEFORE WE CAN RUN, AND I NOTICE THAT EVEN TO WALK IS ABHORRENT IF THE PROPOSED PATHWAY IS BESET WITH PITFALLS, THORNS, AND STONES, AND IN THESE DAYS OF LITTLE LEISURE, THE OWNERS OF NICE OLD THINGS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THEM, BUT ONLY IF THEY CAN DO SO WITHOUT TOO MUCH TROUBLE. THEY DO NOT WANT TO READ LEARNED DISQUISITIONS AS TO THE EXACT PERIOD OF CERTAIN DISPUTED PIECES, OF SPLENDID OAK CARVING, BUT THEY DO WANT TO KNOW THE AGE OF THEIR SOLITARY MAHOGANY CHAIR. THEY HAVE NO TIME OR PATIENCE TO READ ABOUT PETUNTSE, KAOLIN, AND FELSPAR ETC., BUT THEY WISH TO FIND OUT IF THEIR TEAPOT IS AN ASHBURY OR A CAUGHLEY ONE."
THE AUTHOR GOES ON TO WRITE, "I CLAIM THAT I SUPPLY THEIR NEED, AND THAT I HELP THE AMATEUR TO A SLIGHT KNOWLEDGE OF, AND INTEREST IN, THE TREASURES HE POSSESSES, AND SUGGEST TO HIM THE DEEP AND HIDDEN INTEREST THAT LURKS IN MANY A SMALL CURIO, OF LITTLE OR NO COMMERCIAL VALUE, BUT FULL OF THE PATHOS THAT ENVELOPS ANYTHING THAT WAS ONCE USED BY THOSE WHO HAVE 'GONE BEFORE.' WE LOVE OUR OLD POSSESSIONS NOT BECAUSE POSSIBLY (BUT MOST IMPROBABLY), THEY WOULD FETCH LARGE SUMS AT CHRISTIES, (AUCTIONS) BUT BECAUSE THEY SPEAK TO US OF THE LONG DISTANT PAST, OF THOSE WHO ONCE LOOKED AT AND HANDLED THEM; OF THE LITTLE CHILDREN WHO RAN ABOUT THE OLD TABLES AND CHAIRS (NEW THEN) AND GAZED WITH INTENT ROUND EYES AT THE QUAINT LITTLE MEN AND WOMEN ON THE ORIENTAL PORCELAIN, AND AS A GREAT TREAT WERE ALLOWED TO RING TUNES ON THE FINE OLD GLASS RUMMERS WHICH, TO THEIR UNBOUNDED ASTONISHMENT, GAVE OUT SUCH LOVELY MUSICAL NOTES."
THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES, "ALL THOSE BUSY LITTLE LIVES ARE STILL IN DEATH NOW. SOME WENT YOUNG, SOME LIVED TO GROW UP TO JOY AND SORROW; IF ONLY THESE OLD INANIMATE THINGS COULD TALK, WHAT ENTHRALLING THINGS THEY WOULD TELL US, AND WE COULD LIVE AGAIN WITH THOSE WHOSE LIVES, HAPPY OR SORROWFUL, OBSCURE OR BRILLIANT, PEACEFUL OR TEMPESTUOUS, HAVE ALL VANISHED INTO THE SILENT PAST."
VIBES OF THE PAST - WHAT SHOULD WE MAKE OF THIS?
Believe it or not, it wasn't so many decades ago, that a goodly portion of the world's population believed in mysterious, culturally encouraged, imagination-enhanced entities, like fairies, gnomes, sprites, leprechauns, hobgoblins, trolls, banshees, werewolves, vampires, and spirited apparitions of all sorts. Many folks held on to superstitions that dated back centuries, to the so called old country. Regardless of cultural and religious backgrounds, we respected, without the need for confessional, the possibilities of life and activity unseen; to explain what we may have witnessed, or been touched by, as a matter of sheer happenstance. The paranormal and supernatural. Well known author, C.S. Lewis wrote a significant essay on the differences between natural and "super" natural, and all the associated misconceptions between the two considerations. I just finished reading a short memorial biography of Robert Louis Stevenson, and was interested to know about his fascination for the unexplained aspects of life; its rare enchantments and mysteries, left unresolved. And what of "existence" which could never be understood by scientific investigation alone. Washington Irving was adamant, that even the botanist, dissecting a plant or animal species down to its most minute composition of cells, could still never explain all the complexities of life, times, and death. His feeling was that enchantments were not of a molecular constitution, in which to study in the first place……much as imagination on its own, has no such structure of cells, or particles of creativity, to examine under a microscope. Even if that was possible, he questioned whether it would make life a more or less compelling interest. What would poets, musicians and artists do, if everything was tied to science, and nothing to fantasy and expectation, as prevailed upon life, by the liberated imagination? Irving didn't like the idea of getting rid of all superstitions and fantasies, based on scientific discovery and reason. This was in the early 1800's. Science has made great strides. Superstitions, not so much. Imaginations? Stunted me thinks!
This morning, I sat unnoticed in my sons' recording studio, here in Gravenhurst, reading sections of the book by Grace Vallois, and thinking about what the great authors thought about those "strange vibes," from unseen entities; ones I have also encountered routinely, in my years as an antique hunter and gatherer. When Grace Vallois writes about the stories these old relics would tell us about the places they resided, and the lives they experienced, often from birth to death, "what enthralling things," we would learn from these marvelous inanimate objects. I whole-heartedly agree. I feel slightly more convinced, some of these pieces do tell stories, if we truly wish to listen and sense history, as it exists, and prevails upon us as sources of inspiration, in the present tense.
Here is something you may not know, but I think validates to some degree, that antique dealers and collectors, are not alone, feeling that some spirit essences, attach to certain cherished pieces from history. Each day, I spend several hours, in a chair in Andrew and Robert's studio, in the old theatre building here in uptown Gravenhurst. I am surrounded by old stuff, no matter what room I visit, as it's what we offer our customers. Music antiques and collectibles at the front and upstairs in the building; general antiques and nostalgia in the back of the store. The only way to get away from it all, is to step outside. We're a family very much in tune with the vibes from history, still resonating today…..if you listen carefully and pay attention. I sat for about an hour this morning, alone in the studio, while the boys went up the street for a coffee. I was wreathed in that room by vintage art, very old guitars, and mandolins, banjos, and drums, sided by similarly vintage amplifiers and speakers, that have been played and played and played. You sit there wondering to yourself, how many thousands of people, over the decades, have heard these guitars and banjos, mandolins and drums, from these old speaker cabinets, on stage, in church halls, at weddings, and community celebrations….., even at funerals. I started to daydream, in that comfortable "old" chair, sitting amidst all this music heritage, about all the talented musicians who played their hearts out, using these nostalgically appointed instruments and sound equipment. Might they also be spiritually enhanced? Is it possible, the distant vibes of such performances, still resonant deep within the fibers and cells of each instrument……inside the dark recesses of speakers and amps that, while not looking haunted, might well carry a little something extra. Who believes this kind of thing? You'd be surprised how many sensory perceptive people are out there…..looking for that little bit extra in their band gear.
If I was to talk to an average group of musicians, who come into our shop each week, asking if they could ever come to believe, that an antique piece of furniture, like an old rocker, or child's cradle, could be spiritually enhanced by a former owner, I can pretty much guarantee, by experience, that only one out of a hundred, might wink at me…..but not want to admit it in front of peers…..who would probably laugh about the belief in such nonsensical intrusions, like hauntings and stuff. Even though, the ancestors of each of these same musicians, would have at one time, in their generation, had great reverence for such traditional, cultural beliefs in enchantments, and hauntings, the modernists, in most circumstances, have very little time to ponder the "what ifs" of existence and beyond. Yet, if I was allowed to run an experiment, with one musician at a time, I'm willing to bet that I could influence them to allow for possibility, to shine through the rigidity of their own cut and dried perception. Now think about this. First, I get my moment to explain what I mean, by spiritual "traveller," and "enhancement," meaning the paranormal "vibe" attached to a special instrument, or within the cabinet of a speaker or amplifier, that say, once belonged to Jimmy Hendrix. If I put the seed "in the mind," of these subject musicians, that I was about to hand them an instrument that was once owned by the great Hendrix, that was alleged to be haunted by the legendary performer…….might I spark a little curiosity? Maybe about my own sanity. That's okay. I'm used to it. I've done this before, with museum audiences, at lectures, and believe me, I can spin a pretty compelling story, to at the very least, open the imagination to possibility…..and in this case, the possibility, Hendrix would still have one hand on the instrument, reaching from the great beyond. Keep in mind, this is a manipulation of thought process, and not really what I'm writing about in this blog. This is a preface, you might say, and you already know what I think about them.
Out of that same fifty, I'm willing to bet, that the more compelling I am, as a story spinner, the greater the percentage of musicians, who, when holding the electric guitar, know exactly what I mean by "vibe" from another era……another player. I could make those reality-obsessed musicians believe Hendrix was standing in the room with them. I've had a fair amount of practice with this, and yes I have run tours of historic sites where ghosts played a prominent role. I've been known to inspire a little fear in the minds of my companions. But it isn't the point of this story, here and now. The set-up, I've just described, is a clear case of manipulation, without corresponding manifestation, and yes, any good story teller should be able to get seventy five percent compliance. Now here's where the story deviates from the need to manipulate anyone.
I have watched, over the past seven years, as my boys have been living and breathing this strange relationship with vintage instruments and sound equipment. They are both spiritually sensitive lads. It's a family thing. But they aren't frightened by anything they perceive as spiritually connected, because in all cases, any enhancement is welcome, especially with performance and sound quality. Think this is weird? Folks, there are thousands of musicians, all over the world……famous ones, those who have become legends in the profession, who believe in the spirit-kind, and in the spiritual enhancement of the instruments they play. Now out of thousands, (and it may be more), very few will ever admit this in public, because it would be pounced-upon by the media…..because even after all our enlightenment and knowledge, as a society, we are still a little behind the times on the admission we believe in ghosts. I have read many accounts, and I've seen things up close and personal, when a musician has to admit, there's something extra…..a special vibe, to the feel and sound of an old instrument……they can't quite explain. Then there are others, who wouldn't admit to seeing a ghost, if it was wearing a tuxedo and smoking a White Owl…..blowing rings around their head; who will then get all transcendental about playing a guitar or violin that possesses significant provenance…..and an aura they can't quite explain. I have seen these musicians, after playing a heirloom piece, stop and look at the boys, wondering if somehow, they were enhancing the sound somehow, just to make the sale. They stop, look at the instrument, flip it around, back to front and back again, as if looking for a sprite riding on, or in it, making the ordinary sound extraordinary. Sometimes it's not about any kind of spiritual enhancement, but rather the sensory perception of a musician, to the very real vibe of seasoned, rich wood, like was used for the finest violins in the world. Yet often, the wood is not exceptional, but the circumstances of its previous ownership, and tour of duty, gives the piece a little extra aura when played…..just as a vintage amplifier makes a new guitar sound as if it is being played by an old soul fifty years ago. Believe me, there are sensory-keen musicians who don't care about ghosts, but really like the added vibes, and sound provenance, these vintage pieces can provide……without any real need of scientific explanation; other than the keen, silent, but heartfelt acknowledgment, of the beautiful music they can create…..with the companionship of a kindred spirit.
I sat in the studio, way past my welcome this morning, and really didn't want to leave. It is a beautiful reality, to sit amongst these masterfully constructed instruments…..some from the early to mid 1900's, and enjoy the music they project, when played by some drop-in musician, fascinated by the look and feel of history…..and mesmerized by the sweet sounds; like the exceptional taste of fine and aged wine. Instruments that seem somehow enhanced by all those who played it before. You don't have to believe in ghosts, to sense that the past has something to do with the present. Rather than me try to explain what a hitch-hiking spirit might do, to the sound of an old violin, it's infinitely better, to allow these vibes to be attributed to wood and patina alone……as I wouldn't want to scare a customer away with too much information. But there are those who know a sense of spirit when they feel it…..hear it…….discover for themselves, what legacy can actually mean…..besides representing a list of past owners. In fact, I have come to believe, over my many happy years in the antique profession, that those who appreciate music, and instruments, are way ahead of everyone else in sensory perception. I would have an easier time explaining a haunted guitar, than a spiritually encumbered cradle…..even if it began rocking on its own. Are there haunted guitars? Well, if there are haunted castles, churches, rectories, houses and forests…..well by golly, there can be a haunted guitar. But nothing sensational enough to warrant making a movie about. Just an "other-worldly" pleasant sound, in the right hands.
Hope I haven't unsettled you too much, with stories about haunted this and that. I must footnote here, that while our family is acutely sensitive to the paranormal, and have been written-about in several books about the spirit-kind in Canada, in the past, we don't fear ghosts……we validate them, and their past lives…..and then ask for any lottery numbers they may find lucky…..which is kind of nervy don't you think? I'm only kidding. We have great reverence for those who have crossed…..including our family members, who we talk to frequently…..once again, to validate there is an "other side." So we wouldn't make a very good family, to profile for a Hollywood blockbuster horror-flick. We're glad of the ghosts we've met…..not frightened by them.
Thanks for dropping by the old homestead for a visit. I spent two hours this morning, freeing up our storage sheds outside, from the huge weight of wet snow. It was only the second time this winter that I've had to do this…..so there's no way I can complain about being overly burdened by the winter of 2012-13. Hope you can find time to drop by again, sometime soon. I've got lots more heritage and antique pieces to come. See you soon.
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