On my desk this Wednesday is just one item. It's something we've had for over 30 years and we all look at it but rarely touch it. Its a ship made of glass.
This delicate vessel dates from the late Victorian era and has spent the last 100 or so years since its creation under a glass dome. They were very popular ornaments in Victorian homes but it isn't difficult to see why few have survived to the present day. Whilst in our care it has always lived on a top shelf well away from harm's way.
Today I carefully removed the glass dome for its annual wash. Its always a 'hold your breath' moment as it would be so easy to damage the delicate masts or their rigging.
One more photograph before replacing the dome for another year. This view reminds me of pictures I've seen of Ernest Shackleton's ship HMS Endurance when it was stuck in the ice during his 1914 expedition to Antarctica. What an adventure that was.
I don't know who owned the vessel before us or how many journeys it has made. Thankfully we have only moved house three times since owning it because its transportation always causes a few problems and has to be well planned. Each moving day I have placed it in a strong box cushioned by all manner of soft objects and then, when the time has come, the box has been given prime position in our car for the journey to the new abode. The glass ship is always last to be packed and first to be unpacked as I should hate to damage it. It is now safe once again under its dome and will sit on my desk until I place it back on its shelf for another year.
Wow! Amazing that it has lasted all these years without breaking. That is quite a treasure...I'd be terrified to clean it! :o)
Posted by: Martha | 05 November 2008 at 12:10 PM
what a beautiful amazing boat, and to have moved it several times and it still be intact. I love the pink flag.
Jan
Posted by: Redwood House | 05 November 2008 at 06:17 PM
Dear Eli,
What a delicate treasure, indeed! I love ships and have quite a few wooden ones in my home. I love buying them for my husband and sons. I love to watch the history channel and learn about old ships also. Thank you for sharing this beauty and for the link, those are awesome photos of the Endurance!
Blessings,
Selia
Posted by: Selia | 06 November 2008 at 02:56 PM
Greetings Eli,
I was thinking the Endurance even before I read that far! Thanks for visiting me , I am catching up on comments. My daughter was sick with what they think is lyme disease. We have terrible problem with deer tics here:-( I love old ships. My parents have had a summer home on Cape Cod , the town of Wellfleet, since I was a kid and they had a major discovery in the harbour and found gold doubloons and everything, quite exciting when they brought it back up.
Posted by: Suzanne | 07 November 2008 at 12:29 AM
Dear Eli,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful ship! I love the colors! What a treasure you have. Thank you for the link!
Love, Paula
Posted by: Paula | 07 November 2008 at 07:59 PM