Writing letters a la Marie Antoinette

One pot held ink one held sand to blot the ink

I love to write on my monogramed letter paper.

The details and the hand painting are wonderful. This was well cared for in the past

My passions are so much a part of my life. I love to write letters to friends, I love my monogram, I love the style of the decorative arts in the era of Madame de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette and I try and incorporate this style into my life.

I recently became aware of the inkwell-- a necessary implement in times past and one that could be so beautiful and so functional. I knew they existed but had never looked at them as decorative objects until I was reading about the decorative arts of that romantic era.

I am now collecting them in a small way some are more expensive than others but all are lovely.

Leah Fuller has a number of her antiques on Ruby Lane antiques site and I just purchased this charming 19th century Dresden hand painted inkwell by the studio of Helena Wolfsohn from Ms Fuller..It is perfection! You can reach her at Nobili Antiques 949 642-8402 or Here is her link:

http://www.rubylane.com/shop/nobiliantiques

I take such pleasure in using these old items and wondering who had them before they came to me and if previous owners enjoyed it and treasured it as I do now. I have my photos of Marie Antoinette and Madame de Pompadour there to inspire me. I just wish I could write in calligraphy ( I took a class I was awful ) like they did so long ago.

It is fun to sit in my boudoir and write to loved ones and look at the garden through the French doors. Usually one of my cats sits in the chair next to the desk and advises me as I write.

Tabletop Tuesday at:

http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Joint Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home blog:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

and Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound:
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Have a Pink day!