Sideboards, Antique Silver & Cutglass

over many years we have collected antique sterling silver napkin rings, 

no 2 are alike, which is actually more charming, I think.

my 1st husband became very interested in collecting these kinds of items

as we both loved entertaining at home.

& this pretty thing came to me from my 2nd husband's collection of items.

we have used this so many times, I love that we still get "wows" when I comes out.

an old punch bowl, not mine, but I do have one.

it belonged to my grandmother, Mom-Mom, who was kinda like an Auntie Mame.

not shy, loved people, gave a Sunday dinner every single week, loved football,

and with every mood change so did the house paint.

& even on dressing tables or cabinets in your bedroom, so pretty

I imagine this is a box full of items for sale, oh how I do wish I knew where it is !!

we have many of these kinds of bottles, because I can never turn one down, it seems.

to me they are all beautiful.

when someone or some event very special to me requires a gift,

I gladly part with things like this.

I rarely gift anything that doesn't last forever, well to adults, that is.

& because I lived in Persia for awhile, I have many many pieces of

Persian Sterling Silver, all of which is hand-carved as intricately as this tray.

it is an art form.

we have an entire tea/coffee service with it's own tray,

& long long ago at an estate auction I found the absolute perfect table on which to rest

this service.  it has it's own spot in the dining room.

my son appreciates most of the Persian pieces, and the rugs.

my daughter is much more Ralph Lauren/Southwest & doesn't take too well

to pomp & circumstance.  she, however, has her own collection of antique ironstone

along with antique blue & white.

each of us are very different in this way,

but so much alike in our love of travel, understanding history and ancient cultures.

I try not to buy anything else when I'm looking around.

I never thought I would reach a point when I thought I had enough, but I have & I do.

how do you feel about collecting?

what drives you to collect what you love?