This evening my daughter and I attended a memorial service for a woman we had known several years ago. Janie was an interesting person, a character study, really. She was different things to different people, and she was definitely two different people to her sons. The evening was a bit awkward, as most funerals are, and there was the usual mixed emotions of sorrow, sibling rivalry, hesitation, remembrances ... all those things that people feel when they're not sure what they should feel. However ... there was a beautiful mirror that a family member wanted me to have. I had admired it ages ago, and it was gifted to me. It's very much my taste, and I was very pleased that it was given to me.
When I got the mirror home, I noticed there was a label on the back that said
"Hanging and Maintaining Your Carver's Guild Traditional Mirror". Well, that sounded important, so I looked it up on line. It turns out the mirror is an heirloom piece made by the Carver's Guild in Groton, Massachussetts. The particular name of my mirror is "Quatrain", and this is a picture of it. As you can see, it is the same mirror as the one from the Carver's Guild website, in the photograph at the top. And no, I'm not going to tell you what it's worth, but it's four (4) figures. I'm tempted to phone the family tomorrow and say,
"I think you made a mistake. I can't accept this."On the other hand, I'll give it a good home, and it would look wonderful over my fireplace, don't you agree?
Mirror, mirror, on the wall...
30 comments:
What a beautiful gift and I agree, I'm sure you'll give it a good home. May your friend rest in peace.
It is very much my taste, too, with all those symmetrical angles in the frame.
As for your polite refusal, so much depends on how much sibling rivalry we're talking about, the relative value of the rest of the estate, what family rank the donor has...
Maybe you'll find out everybody's have hated that mirror all their lives, and you can hang it sans guilt.
[sigh] scratch "have" please.
...too much revising prior to commenting...
One man's junk is another man's treasure. Even so maybe the family member already knows its value as anybody could look up the information online. Maybe they know that you will treasure it and give it a good home and not just sell it to the highest bidder.
You just got a very beautiful gift.
Amazing.
That type of mirrors were normally found in the houses of Royals during pre-independent India.
Take Care.
I would say that the monetary value is not what is key here.
What a find! Keep it. It is meant to be appreciated.
It is indeed a beautiful mirror, priceless on many levels.
The horns of a conundrum are sharpest while impaled between them. No one can make your decision for you Johanna.
It was a gift from your friend. Please don't refuse it.
It's not like you are going to turn around and sell it, you know. The value of the mirror isn't the real question here, but whether it was the wish of your friend for you to have it. I'm pretty sure you should keep it. I would, with no qualms at all.
What a beautiful mirror! I wonder, did the family member want you to have it, or did they know your friend would want you to have it?
I am sure it is meant for you.
Your friend gave you a lovely gift for a reason. You are a lovely person who will appreciate it.
Finders keepers, losers weepers.
I am sure the family intended for you to have this beautiful mirror.
The mirror could have been a subtle symbolism that looking back (as what you do when you look into a mirror) there was / is a beautiful person who had come into their lives.
As with a mirror, perhaps they see a bit of how you impacted their lives as they look at their lives today.
I agree with Laurie's comment.
I felt lucky to see your post because I went to the web-site, and ordered that beautiful humming bird mirror that was on display.
Also as one person said, maybe they didn't like the mirror - knew you did, so it was natural to give it to you.
Yes, it's very lovely. I've always liked mirrors. I wonder why they capture human imaginations so.
It's very beautiful, and it was given to you. Its monetary value is irrelevant. Clearly, it was meant for you for so many reasons, and your friendship is worth more than four figures. Enjoy it! It's your tangible remembrance of a woman you admired and loved.
Hello Jo, I'll add my two cents worth and say you should keep it as a fond memory of your friend. While it might have a significant monetary value it is unlikely that that is the reason why it was given to you. Hang it up (carefully) and enjoy it without regret;
Yes, smashing, Jo!
Like the old and fine mirror I got from my mother in law. Here it is at the end of the bunk, here on the boat,
reflecting the "me" that left her geography years ago...
What that mirror has seen! My husband grow up...images locked, a portal...
Aloha from Spring in Waikiki!
Comfort Spiral
It's gorgeous, and it would look terrific over MY fireplace!!
Josie: I think the family really wanted you to have it one way or the other. It's lovely and will enhance the fireplace! Enjoy it and think of your friend when you gaze into it! D
Keep the mirror. Your dear departed friend's reflection is stored there although you nor anybody else can see it. It was a gift that you cannot refuse.
(by permission of The Godfather);-)
Wow Jo, that's sure one pretty mirror! Keep it, I'm sure it will enjoy it's stay in your home.
That is just lovely, What a wonderful gift!
I think you should keep it. Like you say, you will give it a good home while somebody else may just sell it off for the money.
It's beautiful. Think of it as mirror rescue - something that precious shouldn't go to just any home. They chose you. =)
Hello, everyone, and thank you for your wonderful comments. I have decided to keep the lovely mirror, and I have hired some folks to come and hang it properly for me. I'll take a picture to share with you when it's done.
Cheers!
Jo
I think you shouldn't give it back, not because of the monetary value, but because of the personal value. ;)
What a beautiful mirror Jo and a thoughtful gift of remembrance - each time you look at it, or into it, your friend will always be there beside you.
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