ANTICHI RICORDI DI FAMIGLIA ***OLD FAMILY TREASURES

Era da molto che volevo postar queste foto per potervi raccontare una delle tante storie della mia famiglia.

La mia nonna paterna, che lasciò questo mondo alla veneranda età di 96 anni nel 1984, era stata in gioventù balia di un pargolo di nobilissime origini ed aveva pertanto abitato con suo marito ed il mio papà in un antico palazzo che lei chiamava il castello.

Come era consuetudine per le balie, venivano loro spesso fatti dei doni, e questa bellissima scatola portagioie è uno di quelli che lei lasciò in eredità alla mia mamma e che lei, a sua volta, ha lasciato a me. Ho sempre amato tantissimo questa scatola, sia per la sua fattezza che per il bellissimo volto raffigurato.

i gioielli di famiglia, sempre appartenuti alla nonna,ma, naturalmente non regalo dei conti, sono anch'essi meravigliosi e li indosso con religiosa riluttanza per il timore di rovinarli se non addirittura perderli...

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I had been wanting to post these pics for a quit a long time to have an opportunity to show you some antique family trasures and thus share some family stories.

My father's mother, who left this world at the respectable age of 96 in 1984, had, in her younger years, had worked as a we burse for some local noble family. For this reason, for some years she, my grandfather (whom I never met) and my dad a very young child, lived in a mansion she used to refer to as "the castle".

As customary, wet nurses were often times given gifts and this gorgeous jewelry box is one of those. She handed it down to her much loved daughter-in-law (my mother) who then handed it down to me. I have always cherished it very much both for the marvelous piece of craftmanship it is and also for the portait of this misterious beautiful lady.

The jewels are also old family gifts which I also adore though I'm a little reluctant to wear as I fear I might lose them or even worse damage them as they are not as sturd as jewels made nowadays. Love those earrings with ruby and small diamonds and the rings are also gorgeous.

Hope you'll enjoy looking at the box as much as I still do every morning when getting ready for work, even after so many years.

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A volte mi sono chiesta chi fosse questa splendida dama

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I've asked myself many times who this beautiful dame could ever have been
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La nonna amava raccontarmi storie un pò "speciali" sugli abitanti del castello... credeteci o no, mi diceva fosse abitato da fantasmi. Raccontava che spesso, quando mio nonno si radeva dvanti allo specchio scorgesse delle figure alle sue spalle. E di notte, qualche spiritello burlone tirava via le coperte. Narrava anche di una donna in abiti antichi che a volte incontravano sulla strada verso il castello, e che molti giuravano di aver incontrato, che improvvisamente spariva nel nulla con la sua brocca d'acqua sul capo. Strane storie, ma in fondo, chissà... Sarebbe stata molto adatta per la notte di Halloween ma sarebbe diventata così banale...

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Grandma loved to tell us stories, some very "special" ones on the castle dwellers...

believe it or not she'd tell us that there were ghosts. She'd tell us that when grandpa was shaving in front of the mirror he'd often see someone staring at him from behind. And at night, some playful soul would play with their blanket pulling it out. I've also heard from her (and from my dad, too) about a lady in older attire whom they would met now and then - and many people had also happened to see her- who would all of a sudden disappear together with the water jug she was carrying on ther head.

These stories would have been perfect for Halloween, but, on the other hand, as they belong to my family history I didn't really want to spoil them out.

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Questo bellissimo anello è appartenuto anch'esso a mia nonna, un regalo del nonno. Le foto non gli rendono giustizia in quanto, pietra a parte che credo sia totalmente priva di valore, la montatura è una vera opera d'arte fatta di rose in miniatura con le loro preziose foglioline di argento.
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Also this ring belonged to my grandmother - it was a gift from my grandfather. I tried to take the best possible shots but indeed, my fault, they do not do it justice as it is a marvelous piece of craftsmanship. The stone itself is worth nothing, my mother told me once, but the setting is so stunning with those precious tiny miniature roses and leaves.
I'm so prod of these family treasures not for their value but for their deepest meaning which is link between me and my past.
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BuOna NoTte e SoGnI d'OrO!!

SwEeT DrEaMs!

BoNnE NuIt! BiSoUs!

Y Rita