2020 My Book of Collections

My Book of Collections

Cover: From Vladimir Markov we bought a tiny Russian book, Symbol of Faith published by Dubna Phoenix, that had been taken into space aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. (3 cm x 2.5 cm x .5 cm). Moscow 2017.

My Book of Collections

Photographed and Catalogued by Susan Hanes during the time of COVID-19 Chicago 2020

During the 20 years that we have been together, George and I have taken nearly 50 major trips and traveled to almost as many countries and to every state. But now that we are confined to quarters during this pandemic of 2020, we have become ensconced in the 2,200 square feet that currently comprise our world. We have learned to divide our home into continents of sorts. During the day, we inhabit our separate spheres, spending time at our desks or cooking or exercising according to our particular schedules. But once the evening comes, we light the fire, turn on the lights, and adjourn to the living room, a place that remains unused until the cocktail hour. It is there that we discuss matters of the day, remember the times that we have shared, and voice our concerns for the future. As we have continued to live within the confines of our limited space, I have taken a renewed interest in the things that surround us both the objects from our lives before we met, and the souvenirs that we have acquired together during our travels. As I contemplate the shelves where we display our books and treasures, I realize that each possession has a story of not only where it was acquired, but under what circumstances. Seeing these things and savoring the memories they evoke brings me a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of comfort. The world is undergoing a seismic change, but here in our home, I cherish the wealth of memories of all that we have seen and experienced.

My Collection of Tiny Boxes

All boxes in this collection range in size from 2 cm to 6 cm and all are described in the same order as on this page.

1. Horn and silver. Metz Flea Market with Patch Barracks Officers’ Wives’ Club, 1984.

2. German silver. Heidelburg antique shopping with Jenny Conner (Admiral's wife) 1985.

3. Sterling nutmeg box. Birmingham, 1793 by John Shaw. Gift from Em, who purchased it at Vineyard Antiques, Cape Town in 1985.

4. English sterling Rococo 1902. Gift from my parents 1986.

5. English sterling patch boxes, c1690. A beauty patch was made of gummed silk and was pasted on the skin. Gift from Em who purchased them at Sandgate Antiques, Folkestone, Kent 1986.

6. Silver from Scotland with Japanese bone carving, c1860. From Houston’s mother, Edith Hanes, 1986.

7. Iranian silver. Gift from Em 1995. It had been on her dressing table for years.

8. English sterling cut crystal rouge pot with monogram. Gift from Em 2013.

9. Silver and shard box purchased with Houston at the Temple of Heaven, Beijing 1982.

Silver filigree box with carnelian. Germany 1985.

Sterling. Stuttgart antiques show, 1984.

Sterling and crystal jar, gift from my parents, London 1984.

Tibetan Gau Prayer Box, repousse silver with coral. Traditionally worn with a cord through the top pendant. Purchased in China 1982.

Sterling vinaigrette by Nathanial Mills, 1829. Purchased by Em in Kalk Bay, South Africa in 1985 and given to me.

<Same Box>

Silver from Spain. Gift of Judy Ehnert 1987.

Baguio silver filigree, purchased during a typhoon in Manila 1983.

Sterling repousse thimble holder with monogram. Purchased on Colley Avenue in Norfolk, VA 1986.

Sterling English vesta case, Birmingham c1894. Purchased in Edinburgh 1985.

Indian silver magic box with hidden opening. Purchased from Laycha in Jaisalmer in 2009.

<Same Box>

Sterling antique needlebox. Purchased at Killesburg Antique Show, Stuttgart 1985.

Dutch silver box with heart, c1866.

Art Deco silver box purchased at an antiques show, Gerlingen, Germany 1984.

Sterling repousee box. Gift from Mrs. Herbert Hoover to me as a child. 1955.

Chinese silver and Ming fragment, purchased at China Arts, Guam 1981.

Sterling J. E. Caldwell, with monogram. Philadelphia, 1839.

<Same Box>

Italian silver lipstick and mirror. Gift from Em 1990.

<Same Box>

Chinese box with secret opening. Hong Kong 1982.

Puffy German 925 silver heart box. Gift from Houston and boys for our first Christmas in Germany, Garmisch 1983.

Silver pumpkin box from Cambodia, purchased at Amazing Grace, Hong Kong 1982.

Sterling vinaigrette by James Collins, Birmingham 1824. Gift from Em who purchased it at Gallery Medici, Kalk Bay, SA in 1985.

<Same Box>

Silver repousee heart box. Gift from Em 1984.

English sterling, Birmingham 1829. Gift from Em, 1988.

Silver box with large carnelian stone, purchased from Georgios Popodopoulos, Delphi, Greece 2012.

Inlaid ivory and silver. Gift from Lynne Turowski, 1981.

Sliver chest from the Berlin Flo Markt purchased during our trip there in September 1984.

Silver repousee heart box pendant. Germany 1984.

Malachite box, gift from my father 1994.

Reverse Cloisonne purchased with Diane Popp at the China Emporium, Hong Kong 1982.

Wooden miniature Turnbridge ware (mosaic) stamp box, c1840 with tessellation. Purchased from the Thimble Society at Gray's Antique Market, London 1993.

Indian spherical betel lime box Purchased in Thekaddy, India 2010.

<Same Box>

Cloisonne box purchased from the Ginger Jar on Guam 1981.

Cloisonne box from Green Islands, Guam 1982.

Antique miniature stamp and ink pad in bone sliding box. Purchased in Beijing 2017.

Antique Limoges purchased at a Stuttgart brocante market 1984.

Petit point cloisonne. Purchased at Green Islands, Guam 1982.

Cloisonne box purchased at Green Islands, Guam 1981.

Brass box with green stone, a gift from Lynne Turowski. Guam, Christmas 1982.

Shell box from Manila purchased on my trip to the Philippines with my parents 1982.

Reverse cloissone box, purchased in Hong Kong 1982.

Maranao Muslim beaded carabao horn lipstick container from Lanao Province, Philippines, purchased 1982.

<Same Box>

Silver and crystal rouge pot Birmingham, 1904. Purchased in Dunkeld, Scotland 1984.

Cloissone apple. Gift from Tina Dempsey, Guam 1982.

Royal Copenhagen box purchased at the RC Shop, Copenhagen, Denmark 1985.

Chinese laquerware purchased at the Beijing Hotel gift shop 1982.

Carved ivory purchased in Hong Kong 1982.

Cloisonne box from Mike [Frog] Hanes, Christmas 1982.

Cloisonne bird box from Green Islands, Guam. Found with Linda Jennings 1982.

Limoges. Purchased in Colmar, France 1985.

Antique brass sindoor box purchased in Ahmedabad, India 2009.

<Same Box>

Limoges box purchased in Strasbourg and given to me by Houston’s mother, Edith Hanes, on our trip to Brussels 1985.

Japanese cloisonne purchased in Kobe by Em in 1935 and given to me in 2012.

Coalport "Ming Rose" miniature egg purchased at Robinson Barracks Exchange, Germany 1985.

Scottish porcelain purchased in 1984.

Handpainted box by Gisela Grunwald, a friend in Stuttgart. She gave it to me when we returned to Germany in 1997.

<Same Box>

Wedgewood heart given to me by Lynne Turowski, Christmas 1983.

Capiz shell box from the Philippines. Purchased at the Ginger Jar, Guam 1981.

Reverse cloissone box with scrimshaw ivory inset. Purchased in Hong Kong 1982.

Wedgewood Jasperware blue, c1970s. Gift from Madlynn Kirkland when we left Guam, 1983.

Jade box purchased at the Shanghai Trade Fair, 1982.

Ivory flat box from India, purchased on Guam 1982.

Ivory scrimshaw Chinese box purchased at Green Islands, Guam 1982.

Herend handpainted box from Hungary purchaed in 1985.

Box from Thailand, purchased from the Ginger Jar, Guam, 1981.

Chinese alabaster jar. Purchased at China Arts, Guam 1983.

Cloissone from China from Cathay House, Guam 1982.

English rouge pot from British antique shop in Stuttgart. Purchased 1984.

<Same Box>

Ivory apple box purchased in Stuttgart 1984.

Ceramic box purchased in Kyoto on our family trip to Japan, 1983.

Ainsley bone china given to me by Houston on Guam, Christmas 1982.

Ceramic box by North Carolina potter. Gift from Em 1995.

Miniature Kholui box purchased on Officer's Wives’ Club trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg, 1985. On back "Made in USSR”.

Sterling tea infuser in shape of a teapot, Amcraft, Attleboro, MA c1940.

English Crown Staffordshire box. Gift from Em 1988.

Pewter and malachite box made by Stephen Strait of Vermont. Purchased at the National Craft Fair in Washinton, DC and given to me by my parents, Christmas 1983.

Minton "Haddon Hall" box purchased at the post exchange on Patch Barracks, Germany 1985.

Chinese porcelain cricket box made in Jingdezhen c1630 from the Hatcher Collection sale, Christie's June 1984 landmark sale from a 1640s shipwreck salvaged by Captain Michael Hatcher. Purchased in London by Em in 1985 and given to me.

Enamled brass box from Thailand purchased on Guam 1981.

Silver box with Ottoman Turkish 5 Kurush coin, 1907. Gift from Lynne Turowski, 1985.

Silver box from Baguio from my father on our trip from Guam to the Philippines 1982.

Halcyon Days enamel box "A Token Of Love" Bilston Battersea. Gift from Houston 1995.

Halcyon enamel box “I Love You”. Gift from Houston 1997.

Halcyon Days tiny enamel box with hearts. Gift from Em 1998.

Halcyon Days enamel box. William Morris Orchard Tapestry. 4 cm x 3.5 cm. Gift from Em and Bill 1990.

Halcyon Days mini egg. Gift from Em and Bill from their trip to London 1986.

Halcyon Days Library enamel box 3.5 cm x 4 cm. Christmas gift from Houston celebrating the completion of my MLIS 1994.

Razmig, from Aleppo, Syria lives in Yerevan and sold me this old goat's bell with a cross on it. 4.5 cm. He had a table full of ancient things that he had picked up in the Syrian countryside. Purchased at an outdoor bazaar in Yerevan, Armenia 2016.

A monk at Visoki De ani Serbian Orthodox Monastery to whom I gave an indulgence on behalf of Sanja, a Serbian friend in Chicago. I bought this cross (7.5 cm x 5 cm) that was carved by the monks there, made of several kinds of wood. Kosovo 2012.

At the Miniature Book Society of Moscow, Vladimir Markov of Dubna Phoenix publishers had several stunning miniature books housed in Palekh painted covers; Pushkin’s Ruslan and Ludmila (6.5 cm x 4 cm x 1 cm) came in its own signed Palekh box (7.5 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm). Moscow 2017.

Woman in White First Night souvenir box by TKS Birmingam Enamels. We were invited as guests of Wilkie Collins’s great-granddaughter and her husband, Faith and Bill Clarke. London 2004.

Tiger's eye sphere from South Africa. Gift from my father 1968.

Netsuke frog and two turtles. 4 cm x 3 cm x 2 cm. Purchased in Tokyo 1983.

Small antique Chinese padlock and key, 12 cm. Purchased on eBay 2017.

Silver Ganesh, 5 cm x 2.5 cm x 2 cm. Purchased from a vendor in Jaisalmer, India 2009.

Chinese coral carving, 8 cm. Purchased in Beijing, 1982.

Chinese coral carving, 10 cm. Purchased in Beijing, 1982.

Miniature Ginger Jar, Spode 8 cm x 7 cm. Gift from Em 1999.

Conus Gloriamaris, “Glory of the Sea”, 9 cm x 3 cm. Guam 1982 (at the time, the world's most valuable shell)

Tibetan Gau Prayer Box repousse silver with coral. Traditionally worn with a cord through the top as a pendant. 6.5 cm x 7 cm x 4.5 cm.

Antique cloisonne stamp box, 9.5 cm x 4.5 cm x 3 cm. Purchased in Hong Kong 1982.

<Same Box>

Silver box with heavily repoused lid, 8.5 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm. Purchased from Golden Triangle, Chicago 2003.

Silver and tortoise shell footed round box. 3.5 cm x 6 cm. Gift from Em 2017.

Tboli Tribe ceremonial brass betel nut box, Mindanao, Philippines, 9.5 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm. Purchased on Guam 1982.

Brass ink stand that looks like a 1lb weight. 5 cm x 5 cm. Purchased at Portabello Road, London 2015.

<Same Box>

Scottish heart-shaped snuff box with initials M K, c1890. 6 cm x 4 cm x 1.5 cm. Purchased from Becca Gauldie Antiques, Perthshire, Scotland 2004.

Silver Berber box, late 19th c. 7 cm x 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm. Purchased from El Abidi Nasser in Marrakesh, Morocco 2011.

Magnifying glass with Gorham "Strasbourg" sterling handle. 13 cm x 5 cm. Purchased in Norfolk VA 1988.

Early 19th c brass snuff box engraved "C. Marsh." 7.5 cm x 5.5 cm x 2 cm. purchased in London from Lennard Antiques, nr. Halstead, Essex 2010.

Antique miniature weights (6) in latched case, c1780-1790 2.5 cm x 4 cm. Purchased from Henrique Teixeira in Sintra, Portugal 2011.

Brass snuff box, "Mathew Thomas IAVS ? 1892". 7 cm x 4.5 cm x 2 cm. Purchased in London 2006.

Silver baby rattle featuring Humpty Dumpty and 3 bells, engraved "Victoria Hayes Born 3rd June 1848". 15 cm x 3 cm. Purchased at the English Speaking Union, London 2002.

Marble inlaid box styled after the Taj Mahal, 3 cm x 7.5 cm x 5 cm. Purchased at a shopping arcade in Agra 2009.

George's worry beads (tesbih) made of tortoise shell (39 cm) by artisans at the shop of Kadir Sukru Karateke, in the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul 2007.

My worry beads (tesbih) made of kuca seed by artisans at the shop of Kadir Sukru Karateke, in the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul 2007. The owner’s wife made the crocheted bag for me.

Tibetan brass dorje (Vajra) Thunderbolt of Enlightenment antique 12 cm x 4 cm. Belonged to George Leonard.

Turkman Tekke Asyk Necklace, silver, 12 cm x 7.5 cm. Like the ones we saw in the Turkmenistan museums. Purchased from Gallery Unique 2016.

Malachite pyramid 4 cm x 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Purchased from Michael Guastadisegni in Chicago 2014.

Silver paan box with multiple compartments. Purchased from Ahmed Joo, Mumbai; paan cutter purchased from Laycha, Jaisalmer, India 2009.

Lace agat sphere, 3 cm. Smallest of Bill Rountree's collection of mineral spheres. Given to me by Chris who has the rest of the collection.

Antique shagreen box in cloud design from China 13.5 cm x 11 cm x 5.5 cm. purchased at Primitive Arts, Chicago 2004.

Petoskey stone 7 cm x 8 cm x 2 cm. Purchased in Petoskey on trip around Lake Michigan 2011.

Lost wax sculpture of Parvati, 38 cm x 12 cm x 12 cm, purchased at Rajan Icon Industry, Swamimalai, India 2010.

Lost wax sculpture of Vishnu, 33 cm x 11 cm x 11 cm, purchased at Rajan Icon Industry, Swamimalai, India 2010.

Lost wax sculpture of Chandra (Moon God), 20 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm, purchased at Rajan Icon Industry, Swamimalai, India 2010.

Chinese antique wood and ivory abacus, 29 cm x 11.5 cm x 3 cm. Purchased on Guam 1982.

Thai Head 11 cm x 6 cm x 6 cm. Purchased by George on his trip around the world in 1965. Although it is a Thai antique he had a terrible time getting it out of Cambodia.

Ethiopian 17th century carved wooden hand cross, 45 cm x 16 cm x 2 cm. Purchased from Sam Fogg, London 2005.

Chinese standing figure of man from Han Dynasty, 206 BC-220 AD. 61 cm x 9 cm x 7 cm. Purchased from William Siegal Gallery, Santa Fe NM 2005.

Musuem quality four-corner Huari Hat, Peru c700 AD. 13 cm x 13 cm x 8 cm. Purchased from William Siegal Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 2005.

Egyptian inlaid mother of pearl and ivory cribbage board, 30 cm x 7 cm, complete with 6 ivory markers in slot underneath. Wedding gift to my parents in 1946 from Arthur W. and Ruth Sloan. Dr. Sloan was a renowned organic chemist who founded Atlantic Research Corp. Em gave it to me in 1997.

Figure 1 of a pair of teak carvings purchased by my grandfather John and Ann McDowall, c1960. Signed "Kota Gedang, Djakarta Fa Pan Akus & Co., Denpasar" 30 cm.

Figure 2 of a pair of teak carvings purchased by my grandgfather John and Ann McDowall, c1960. Signed "Lota Gedang, Djakarta Fa Pan Akus & Co. Bali" 32 cm.

Pakistani sandalwood box (23 cm x 15 cm 6 cm). The top has a deeply carved leafy tree and floral decoration; further carved panels on each side. Inside is a silver plaque reading "To Ambassador Rountree with the best wishes of the staff of the Embassy/Karachi, Pakistan/ 1959-1962”.

Rose Mandarin Chinese porcelain punch bowl made for the Persian (Islamic) market, c1850, decorated in famille rose enamel panels with birds and flowers. 29 cm diameter x 14 cm high. My mother purchased two in Isfahan, Iran in 1953.

Nigerian wood carving by Lamidi Olonade Fakeye (1928-December 24, 2009) designated by UNESCO as a Living Treasure. 30 cm x 7.5 cm x 8 cm. This carving was obtained by my mother in the early 1960s when my father was serving as US Ambassador to Sudan. She asked a friend, Margaret Palmer, to find a Nigerian carving for her, when Joseph Palmer II was concurrently serving as the US Ambassador to Nigeria. She gave it to me in 2011.

Carved ivory box given to my parents upon their departure from Khartoum after my father served as US Ambassador to Sudan, 1962-1965. It was a gift of Sadiq alMahdi, pictured above.

Sadiq al-Mahdi, 1935- ) is a Sudanese political and religious figure who was Prime Minister of Sudan from 1966 to 1967 and again from 1986 to 1989. He is head of the National Umma Party and Imam of the Ansar, a Sufi order that pledges allegiance to Muhammad Ahmad, who claimed to be the Mahdi, the messianic savior of Islam.

Cedar rattle-topped basket by Gitxsan artist Grace Hamilton of Hazelton. BC. 9 cm x 5.5. Purchased at 'Ksan, reconstructed village of the Gitxsan people, 2015.

Mini basket of dried daylilies by Virginia Petty (12 cm x 5 cm). Purchased at the Kentucky Crafts Center, Berea 2014.

Miniature pot by master potter Salvadore Baca 1997, 10 cm x 11 cm. Purchased at Rusty Rabbit Antiques in Marathon, TX 2014.

Museum quality Attu rye grass basket by Aleut (Unga) Sharon Kay (1949- ). 5 cm x 5 cm. Purchased from the artist, 2015.

Tutsi Lidded Basket, 6 cm x 6.6 cm. Purchased from Douglas Dawson, Chicago 2017.

Bulgarian antique rose oil gourd container 11.5 cm x 4 cm. Purchased at an outdoors antiques fair, Sofia 2012.

Grasswork miniature basket by Garmel Rich, Intuit Labrador weaver, 7 cm x 10.5 cm. Purchased at the Newfoundland & Labrador Crafts Center 2010.

Baleen triple mini basket with walrus ivory finial by Inupiaq weaver Harry Hank, 17 cm x 9.5 cm. Purchased at the Sea Lion, Homer, AK 2009.

I met Arlene Skinner at the Baranov Museum, once the 19th century home of Russian occupiers on Kodiak. Arlene wove the miniature Alutiiq basket I bought there.

Alutiiq wild beach rye grass from

Purchased in Kodiak 2015.

Charleston sweetgrass lidded basket of fine quality. Made by Elizabeth Mazyck. Purchased at the Charleston Crafts Center, 2011.

Elizabeth Mazyck, noted Sweetgrass basket weaver.

Kodiak by Arlene Skinner, 2015 6.5 x 4.5 cm.

Antique rabbit chop 6.5 cm x 2.5 cm x 2 cm. Purchased in Hong Kong 1982.

<Same Piece>

Chop with dragon with George's name, 6 cm x 3 cm x 2.5 cm.

Chop with dragon with George's name, 13 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm. Purchased in Beijing 2017.

Chop with love birds and peonies, 13 cm x 3 cm x 3 cm. "Susan Moon Heart" Purchased in Beijing 2017.

<Same Piece>

Chop with lotus leaves, 11 cm x 3 cm x 2.5 cm. Stamp with my name. Purchased in Beijing 2017.

Chop with lotus leaves, 11 cm x 3 cm x 2.5 cm, with my name. Purchased in Beijing 1982.

Rare miniature 12th c Chola box used to keep gold coins. Chola was a Tamil dynasty of South India. Weight-100 Grams.

6 cm x 5 cm. Purchased from Haroon Handicrafts, India 2020.

19th century Berber defense bracelet, 850 Silver. 10.5 cm. Purchased at El Abidi Nasser, Marrakesh, 2011.

Hand decorated brush pot from Taiwan, 11 cm x 8 cm. Purchased 1982.

Rare and valuable small inkstone of gray and black slate with gold and water waves. Shexian County, Anhui Provence, China. 12.5 cm x 8.5 cm. In its own wooden box. Purchased in Beijing 2017.

Kond bronze lost-wax sculpture of a female figure standing with pot on her head. c1900, Orissa, India. Purchased at the Oberoi Grand Hotel, Kolkata 2010.

Indian antique brass and wood engraved tika, kum-kum, or sindoor box, 15 cm x 5.5 cm x 4 cm. Purchased in Mumbai 2009.

Pair of cloisonne quail purchased at China Arts on Guam, 1982.

Ganjifa 19th c Dashavatara cards in 18th c ganjifa box. Purchased from Steven Bacon Antique Games 2010.

Argillite pendant by Haida Darrell White (1960- ) the great- great grandson of renowned carver Charles Edenshaw. The pendant depicts Raven coaxing the first man out of his clamshell to start the Haida Nation. Note the angst in the man’s eyes. The piece is hollow and contains jade pebbles that rattle. 6 cm x 4.5 cm x 2 cm. With silver, catlinite, and abalone inlays. Purchased at the Spirits of the West Coast Gallery, Courtenay, BC 2010

Argillite Stela by Haida Ed Russ (1953-2006) Raven transforming into Killer Whale, 15 cm x 4.5 cm x 5 cm. Purchased at Spirit Wrestler Gallery, Vancouver, 2009.

Haida Gwaii Argillite and Silver

from the back of our car and completed the next morning. It rather looks that way. Haida Gwaii 2015

Silver cuff bracelet by Haida James McGuire featuring the Frog, the Haida symbol for abundance and good luck. I chose this to remind me of my sons. Commissioned 2015.

James lives on Haida Gwaii in a clapboard house with three friendly dogs. I am not sure what I was expecting, but James’s unassuming, friendly nature was disarming, in spite of his significant reputation as a master craftsman. We enjoyed talking to him about many subjects, from cameras to chanterelles. We asked him about commissioning a silver bracelet and were delighted that he was willing to work with us to create a special design for me.

Argillite Raven and the Birth of Man by Haida Mike J. Brown, 5 cm. x 3 cm x 2 cm. Commissioned

Ivory woman in flowing robes with fan and flowers. 13 cm x 13 cm. Purchased in Beijing 1982.

Ludwigsburg basket weave covered bowl featuring flowers painted by Gisela Grunwald, 9 cm x 11 cm. Purchased in Germany 1997.

Russian box from Palekh featuring the Tale of Sadko and the Golden Fish signed B. Abramov 1985 and marked “Made in USSR”. 6.5 cm x 12 cm x 3 cm. Purchased in Moscow at a state-run Beriozka shop in 1986.

Ludwigsburg basket weave covered bowl featuring insects painted by Gisela Grunwald 9 cm x 10 cm. Purchased in Germany 1997.

Russian box from Palekh featuring the the marraige celebration in Song of the Merchant Kalashnikov by Mikhail Lermontov signed Bolshakova 1983 and marked “Made in USSR”. 6.5 cm x 12 cm x 3 cm. Purchased in Moscow at a state-run Beriozka shop in 1986.

Small painted bowl,13 cm high, by Brigitte Delthony (formerly of Germany). Hand built, decorated and pit-fired according to ancient techniques. Purchased at her studio in Escalante, UT 2005.

Meissen bowl 9 cm x 15.5 cm painted for me by Gisela Grunwald, dated 1987 on the occasion of our first return to Germany.

<Same Piece>

Chinese bronze weight, c1750. Bixi, a son of the Dragon King, is a dragon with the shell of a turtle. A symbol of good luck. 7 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm. Purchased in Beijng 2017.

Cloisonne jar with Foo Dog finial, 16 cm x 12 cm. Purchased at China Arts on Guam 1983.

Satsuma KOSHIDA flower decor bowl with gold, late Meiji c1950. With artist's chop. 15 cm x 6.5 cm. Purchased in Tokyo 1983.

Chinese floral plate 10 cm. Purchased in Beijing 1982.

Victorian brass letter clip in the shape of a hand 7 cm x 4 cm. Wedding gift from Ann Hawley, George’s sister 2001.

Oval brass money box with key, 5.5 cm x 9.5 cm x 4.5 cm. “Barclay's Bank" c1890. Purchased at Johnson Antiques, Chicago 2006.

Paperweight of Japanese samurai with a long nose, purchased at a souvenir stand at the 5th station of Mt. Fuji, just before we began our climb 1983.

Early Victorian wooden Whist marker with ivory hand. 3 cm. Purchased at the Chelsea Antiques Show with Vicky Palau, London 2005.

Ganjifa set in box. Purchased from this young artisan in Raghurajpur, Orissa 2010.

Jagannath figure, an incarnation of Vishnu and good luck charm. 7 cm. Purchased at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa 2010.

Bukovinian batik-style egg (16 cm high) by Letitia Orssivschi. Purchased at her home in Vama, Romania 2012.

Tlingit carved halibut hook purchased in Juneau from Ray Peck who said that it had been in his family for generations. He had taken it from his late father’s cabin in Angoon, a Tlingit town with a population of under 500 on Admiralty Island off Juneau. The hook is simply carved with a spirit form. Purchased from Ray 2015.

Matchbox Porsche 911 “Sally Carrera”. In 2014, we followed Rt. 66 from Chicago to its end at Santa Monica Pier. On the way, we stopped for breakfast at the Rock Cafe in Stroud OK. The restaurant has been an institution on Route 66 since 1939. The present owner, Dawn Welch, gained fame as the inspiration for Sally Carrera, the cute blue Porsche, in the Pixar movie, Cars

Duck Dynasty star and ultra conservative Phil Robertson tossed plastic duck calls out to the audience at the Ted Cruz rally we attended in Iowa City. Iowa Caucas 2016.

W & T Avery, Birmingham Imperial 1 lb. weight. 6 cm x 7 cm x 7 cm. Purchased during my 60th birthday month in London at Kings Road Antiques Fair 2007.

Norwegian Tine (bentwood) decorated box, marked "LOK" and dated 1880, 17 cm x 9 cm x 7 cm, purchased in Oslo in 1985.

Ceramic faience bank, "Pensez a moi", marked K&G Luneville No. 7, 8.5 cm x 6 cm. Purchased with Sharon Connor at an antiques jaunt to Trois Epis, France 1985.

Thick beveled glass candle lantern, c1830. Purchased in London 2000.

Spice tin, c1890. 17 cm x 12 cm x 6 cm. Purchased at English Speaking Union show from Griffin & Mace, E. Sussex, 1998.

Iron match safe, "Self closing for matches, &c. Patented Dec. 20, 1864. D.M. & Co. New Haven." with striker on bottom. 9.5 cm x 6 cm x 3 cm. Purchased at O'Hare Antiques Show, Chicago, 1995.

fern fossll found in area.

Chamorro slingstones, c 900-1000. Gathered boonie-stomping on Guam, 1982-3.

Fern fossil from Mazonia/Braidwood Illinois State Fish & Wildlife Area. Pecopteris hemitelloides

Miniature mask (5.5 cm x 4 cm) by Orlando Orta, Michoacan, Mexico. Purchased at the National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago 2009.

Clay skull by Mexican artist Jose Mendez for Day of the Dead,11 cm x 9 cm. Purchased at National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago 2014.

<Same Piece>

Handpainted fish decoy, c1920. 30.5 cm. Purchased from Crescent Worth Art & Antiques, Lake Forest, IL 1997.

Bulgarian religious bread stamp (Prosphora). 10 cm. Purchased in Plovdiv 2012.

Early wooden doll, Northern European, c1780. Hand-carved and painted. 28 cm high. Purchased from Robert Young Antiques, London 2006.

German school pencil case, coated tin with titles of iconic German writers. Purchased at show in Germany, 1984.

Victorian English oak and brass post card rack, probably from a hotel, c1890. 13 cm x 12 cm x 6 cm.

Uzbek decorated plate, 21 cm in diameter, by the Narzulaevs, an ancient family of traditional potters in Gijduvon, a small town 50 km. north of Bukhara. Purchased at their workshop in Gijduvon, Uzbekistan 2016.

Life-size black pottery skull by sculptor Carlomagno, who is known for his use of skulls and skeleton figures to illustrate Zapotec folklore. Purchased at his home in Cayotepic, Oaxaca, Mexico 2008.

Old monk's resin bowl, 10.5 cm x 13 cm. It was shaped by digging a hole in the mud and pouring the clay into it. We were lucky to find this in the back ot the shop, as the items out for sale were mainly reproductions. Purchased at Abbaye de Fontfroide, France 2002.

Decorative plate 27 cm. from Shearwater Pottery in Ocean Springs, MS, home of the Walter Anderson Museum. This plate is made from a mold created by Walter Anderson’s brother Peter and painted by his daughter, Patricia Anderson Findeisen, with a design she described as representing love in an uncertain world. Purchased in Ocean Springs, MS 2008.

Antique wooden fid, 28 cm. puchased on our trip to the Canadian Maritimes. A sailor’s fid is a conical hardwood carrot-shaped tool that is used to open and separate the strands of rope when splicing. We were surrounded by them when we had dinner at Fid in Halifax, NS 2010.

Victorian transferware Dunn Bennett Company "DB & Co. Shaftesbury" pitcher or spill vase, c1870, 18 cm. tall. Purchased in St. Joseph, MI on a day trip with IWA friends, 2012.

Small Hearts Collection

English snuff box with heart detail c1860. 11 cm x 2 cm x 4 cm. Purchased at the Chelsea Antiques Show, London 2007.

Hearts butter stamp 8 cm. Purchased near Gettysburg, PA 1995.

English fruitwood knitting sheath with heart c1800.16.5 cm. Purchased at Halcyon Days, London 2004.

Wooden heart maple sugar mold, Canadian c1890. Purchased in shop in Quebec City 2010.

Bone shoe horn love token with heart. "J*H E*H" 1752.17 cm. Purchased from Leatherwood Antiques, Sandwich MA 2005.

Rare cast iron side saddle stirrup with heart design. English c1860. 9 cm x 8 cm x 9 cm. Purchased from Cothren House Antiques, Lanark, IL 2005.

Antique oak box with drawer and two ivory escutcheons. c1890. 24 cm x 16 cm x 16 cm. Purchased in Cameron NC 1994.

Welsh love token spoon with heart dated March 12,1788 and signed "Thomas Stonell". 18 cm. Purchased from Mark Seabrook Antiques, Huntington, UK in London 2004.

German dovetailed wooden candle box with heart and initials "R A" and dated 1856. With decorative work, 18 cm 9 cm x 6 cm. Purchased at Stuttgart Antiques Show 1985.

English Tea Caddy with 3 compartments and secret caddy spoon draw. Inlaid thistle & rose pattern, "Sarah Lester Jan 20th 1755" within inlaid heart. Interior in three sections with foil lining intact. Purchased at Alistar Sampson Antiques, London 2005.

Wooden butter mold with double hearts. 13 cm x 7.5 cm. Purchased in Bishops Hill, IL 2015.

Tin and wood heart-shaped maple sugar mold c1890. 10 cm x 6 cm x 5 cm. Purchased in Cameron, NC 1995.

Crocheted chatelaine bag with heart. Initial "S" on back. American c1900. Gift from Sharon Connor 2002.

Bone love token with heart 18 cm. Purchased at the New Bedford Whaling Museum 2007.

Scandanavian braid loom with heart cut outs, c1800. Purchased from Robert Young Antiques, London 2004.

German tin heart-shaped cheese strainer c1880. 13 cm x 12 cm 5.5 cm. Purchased in Esslingen, Germany 1984.

Kitchen Smalls

Carved wooden bowl, 21 cm, dated 1837 and including other carved designs on the bottom. Purchased at an antiques show in Germany, 1984.

Tin “Confitures" bucket with handle from Rouen. George and I bought it at the Marches aux Puces on our honeymoon in Paris 2001.

Sample iron tea kettle c1910 15 cm x 11 cm x 9 cm. Purchased in Germany 1984.

Unusual food-themed matryoshka (or stacking) dolls (5 dolls from 20 cm to 6 cm) made by Tatiana Dubinich in Sergiyev Posad and purchased at a tiny handicrafts shop in Plyos, Russia 2017.

Yellow cocoa tin c1890, 11 cm x 6 cm x 6 cm. Purchased at Sandwich Antiques Market 2005.

English tea box 12 cm x 8 cm x 10 cm. Purchased at the Chelsea Antiques Show with Vicky Palau, London 2005.

German table butter mold c1900. 23 cm x 11 cm x 5 cm. Purchased at Dettington, Germany 1984.

Tin "1/2 Pt. Liquid" c1900. 8 cm x 7 cm. Purchased at Sandwich Antiques Market, IL 2006.

Oakes metal egg scale and grader, 16 cm x 16 cm x 8 cm. Purchased at Sandwich Antiques Market, IL 1997.

Metal egg beater with wooden handle, 24 cm. Marked "foreign" and made in Germany. Oval loop handle which is attached to a large gear wheel which is attached to the gears on each beater. Purchased at Sandwich Antiques Market, IL 1997.

Antique French wire egg poacher/ Basket complete with five ladles. With ceramic dummy egg, c1890. Purchased with George on our honeymoon in Paris, 2001.

French heart chopper c1850, 28 cm. with wood handle.Purchased on eBay 2018.

English herb or dough chopper with brass handle and heart cut-out. "S. Corbett & Son makers W Ellington". 21 cm x 16 cm., c1875. Purchased at Adrian Morris Antiques, East Aurora, NY 2005.

English crazed ceramic lidded jar, "Tapioca" within a flag motif. No marking. 14 cm x 10 cm. Purchased in London 2005.

French Cacao Droste tin, 12 cm x 6 cm x 6 cm. c1900. Purchased at Town and Country Antiques, Marshall, MI 2007.

Swedish heart chopper, c1800, 26 cm. Purchased on eBay 2019.

Late 1800s transferware plate featuring "Hey Diddle Diddle". Whittaker & Co. of Hanley, StokeOn-Trent, England, marked W&Co. Hanley "Nursery Rhymes". 18 cm. Purchased at Winnetka Antiques Show, IL 2006.

Flat heavy metal cow 25 cm x 30 cm purchased at the Sandwich Antiques Market 2002.

Child's transferware plate c1880 featuring a clock, alphabet, numbers and months. 18.5 cm. Purchased from Nittany Antiques Emporium, State College, PA 1997.

Staffordshire English pottery child's ABC plate with rabbits. 18 cm. Purchased at O'Hare Antiques Show, Chicago 1994.

French salt box "Salz" 24.5 cm x 18 cm x 13 cm. marked Opaque de Sarreguemines c1880. Purchased at the Stuttgart Antiques Market 1985.

Pottery plate from Caltergirone, the city of Sicilian earthenware, 26 cm. Purchased there, 2006.

Bread board carved with "Unser tägliches Brot gieb uns heute" c1880. 30 cm. Purchased in Stuttgart at an antiques market, 1985.

Pottery bowl from Perthshire, Scotland, featuring the 23rd Psalm carved into the clay in Gaelic. 24 cm. Purchased at the Scottish Craft Center in Edinburgh on our 3generation trip with my parents 1984.

Antique plane marked 1882, 17 cm x 7 cm x 2 cm. Purchased at an antiques fair in Stuttgart, 1985.

German dovetailed coffee grinder with brass bowl and drawer. 13 cm x 11.5 cm x 10 cm. Purchased at the Stuttgart Antiques Market, 1985.

Flemish salt box "Grossel", 23 cm x 17 cm 11 cm. Marked Therat B.F.K. Purchased at an antiques market in Brussels on the Place du Grand Sablon. A growing group of bystanders helped me negotiate a good price. Trip with Houston’s mother, Edith Hanes 1985.

Old copper pot from the village of Lahic in the Ismailli region of Azerbaijan, which has a long tradition of copper handicrafts. Purchased at a shop in the Ichari Shahar (Old City) of Baku 2016.

Hand carved wooden bread board and knife late 19th c with hand carved handle, "Bread" 28 cm. Purchased in Germany 1984.

Old decorated metal bowl with ring handle, 7 cm x 9 cm. Purchased at a tiny antiques shop in the Trident Hotel, Bhubaneshwar, India 2010.

French miniature decorative coal iron with latch and detailing. 12 cm x 6 cm x 5 cm. Purchased at an antiques show near Colmar, France 1985.

Tin candle stick with snuffer. 7 cm x 10 cm. Purchased at the Chelsea Antiques Show with Vicky Palau, London 2005.

Folk Art Cow Collection

Carved cow jumping over a heart signed Tom Kelly 2001, 24 cm high. Purchased at Kane County Folk Art Fair, 2002.

Carved wooden folk cow signed Sparger 1986. 10 cm high. Purchased at Virginia Beach Folk Art Fair 1986.

Carved wooden folk cow, signed Ted and Reb Nichols, 1987. 10 cm high. Virginia Beach Folk Art Fair 1987.

Carved wooden folk cow signed L. Koosed 2001, 15 cm high. Purchased at Kane County Folk Art Fair, 2002.

Wooden carved folk cow, 12 cm high. Signed H. C. Sieburth 79/500, 1992. Purchased at an art fair in Pensacola, FL, 1992.

Carved wooden folk cow signed Sparger 1987. 10 cm high. Virginia Beach Folk Art Fair 1987.

Sargent brand Kentucky cowbell, No. 5, N[ew] Haven, Ct. U.S. 9 cm. Purchased at the Sandwich Antiques Fair, IL 2003.

Carved wooden folk cow signed R. Tinker 1988. 16 cm high. Purchased at Pensacola Art Fair, 1988.

Carved wooden folk cow signed Robert Kauffman, 8 cm high. Purchased at Pensacola Art Fair 1988.

Carved wooden folk cow jumping over the moon, signed V & S Rawson 1994. 32 cm high. Purchased at Kane County Folk Art Fair 1994.

Antique German toy farmyard cow, 6 cm high. Purchased at the Stuttgart Antiques Fair 1984.

Vintage cardboard toy farmyard cow, 4 cm high. Purchased at Sandwich Antiques Market, IL 1996.

German pasteboard "Schule" house, part of a children's toy town c1870. 5.5 cm. Purchased at the Stuttgart Antiques Market 1984.

German miniature bear, late 19th c. 17 cm, jointed and stuffed with excelsior. Purchased at the Stuttgart Antiques Fair 1985.

ABC, c1850. Small wooden box with sliding lid bearing inlaid carved ABC label. (5 cm x 7 cm x 3 cm) Containing 26 small ivory blocks (1.5 cm x 1 cm x .5 cm) handcarved with a letter of the alphabet. Purchased at the Heritage Book Shop, Los Angeles 2002.

Child's wooden top, 8 cm high. Purchased at Stuttgart Antiques Market 1985.

Catch the Ball Clown, English late 19th c. 21 cm, turned wood, handpainted, with original ball and string. Purchased from Leatherwood Antiques, Sandwich MA 2008.

German Elastolin marching band soldiers, late 19th c. 10.5 cm. Purchased at Stuttgart Antiques Fair 1984.

Alphabetical toy panorama scroll, c1860. New York? Wooden barrel with crank (8 cm x 4 cm). Upper case alphabet with appropriate phrase and picture printed on coated canvas (5 cm x 125 cm). Purchased at Upcycled/Upstyled, Lawrence KS 2014.

Tin ABC Shaker 19th c baby rattle with whistle in handle and raised alphabet arond the barrel. 13.5 cm x 3.5 cm. Purchased on Etsy 2011.

Wooden ABC blocks with faded letters and images, 5 cm cube. Various sources.

Wooden Mold Collection

French wooden butter mold with latch and hinge. 13 cm x 11 cm. Purchased 1984.

French wooden butter mold with 2 latches. 14 cm x 15 cm x 6 cm.. Purchased 1985.

German deep wooden shell mold 13 cm across. Purchased 1984.

German wooden cookie mold. 13 cm x 11 cm. Purchased 1984.

German wooden butter mold. 33 cm x 9.5 cm. Purchased 1985.

Butter molds 10 cm and 8 cm, and cow stamp (8 cm) 19th c Pennsylvania.

Hand carved cow butter stamp 19th c. Pennsylvania. 11 cm. Purchased near Gettysburg PA 1994.

French wooden cookie mold. 12 cm x 10 cm. Purchased 1984-5.

Small condiment bowl with Arabic script. 9 cm. Removed from the table at Tanjia Restaurant on the edge of the mellah Marrakesh 2011.

Puja bowl from Haridwar where we attended the Kumbh Mela. It was given to me by Raj, a waiter at Haveli Hari Ganga who had seen me admiring it earlier. Filled with pencils collected from the hotels we've stayed in since George and I have been married. Haridwar, India 2010.

Pottery mini model of Three Sisters Houses, where we stayed in Tallinn. 8 cm x 9.5 cm. Purchased in Tallinn, Estonia 2017.

Gurdwara Data Bandi Chorh Sahib where we purchased this Kara bracelet. It is worn to constantly remind the Sikh to remember that whatever he or she does with their hands has to be in keeping with what is right. Gwalior, India 2009

Uzbek Bread Stamp, 15 cm x 7.5. Purchased from this old man who helped me pick out the best one. Khiva, Uzbekistan 2016.

Antique personal icon of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, 7.5 cm x 6 cm. I purchased this, after I had climbed the steps to visit the famous icon, at Antikvariatas, Vilnius, Lithuania 2017.

Folk doll from Iran, man with scroll in his belt. 26 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Folk doll from Iran, 26 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Folk doll from Iran, 26 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Folk doll from Turkey, 26 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Palestinian doll with dagger. 30 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Folk doll from Turkey, 26 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Woman from Yugoslavia, now Slovakia, 32 cm. My father purchased it when he went to see Tito in Bled. c1950.

Turkish Sultan, 37 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Woman from Yugoslavia, now Slovakia, 32 cm. My father purchased it when he went to see Tito in Bled. c1950.

Turkish Pasha, 33 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Greek woman in scarf, 22 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Greek woman dancer, 28 cm. Purchased by my father for me c1950.

Japanese Meji pure silver engraved box c1885 purchased from Didier Antiques of London, 2006.

Sterling monogrammed serpentine box with heavy engraving on top and bottom, London, Charles Rawlings,1819. Em bought it for me in 1997 at the English Speaking Union Antiques Show in London.

Sterling repousee and cut glass heart box. Purchased on eBay 2012.

Sterling silver heart box with repousee and chased work, engraved monogram. 7 cm x 7 cm x 3 cm. Em purchased it from Britannia in 1997 and gave it to me in 2017.

Tiffany sterling heart box engraved with "Suze", 6 cm x 5.5 cm x 3 cm. Given to me by George 2012.

Tiffany sterling heart box designed by Elsa Peretti and engraved "SRH" given to me by George 2014.

Arts

Silver

& Crafts box with opal, 7 cm x 5 cm x 2 cm. Purchased from Didier Antiques of London 2006.

Art Nouveau sterling silver overlay on glass perfume bottle. c 1900. 9 cm x 4 cm. Given to me by Em 2018.

Lalique lead crystal heart ring dish from France 9.5 cm x 8.5 cm x 2 cm. Given to me by George on Valentine's Day 2000.

Tortoise shell and sterling pin box, c1900. 3 cm x 10.5 cm 3.5 cm. Purchased from Hampton Antiques, London 2009.

English hallmarked chick pincushion purchased in London and given to Em who gave it back to me in 2012.

English hallmarked porcupine pincushion purchased in London 1999, on my first trip after Houston's death. It reminded me that I am resilient.

Sterling shaker turned into weighted pin cushion by Michael Guastadisegni, Chicago 2014.

Crummels Enamel / Frederick Warne Beatrix Potter pin cushion and matching thimble featuring Tailor of Gloucester mice 1988-1989.

Sterling shell dish given to my parents on the occasion of my christening. Engraved "“»¯¿³ 30.6.1949". 9 cm x 6 cm x 3 cm.

Tiny silver Maltese bus, 2 cm x 1 cm x .5 cm. Purchased in Valletta, Malta 2006.

Sterling and cut crystal dresser jar that belonged to Edith Hanes, Houston's mother. I added my monogram in 2018.

Sterling and cut crystal dresser jar that belonged to Edith Hanes, Houston's mother. I added my monogram in 2018.

SIlver kohl applicator with Berber design, 13.5 cm x 6 cm. purchased at La Porte d'Or, Marrakesh 2011.

Empress Gloss papier mache advertising box, c1880, made in Germany. Purchased in London 2000.

Sterling and cut crystal dresser jar. Purchased at Skippy Musket, Pensacola, FL. Gift from Houston 1993.

Three-piece soap dish marked "Bouquet T.H." bought at an antique shop in Martha's Vineyard before Mike and Jen's wedding, July 2002.

Art Nouveau sterling silver hand mirror, 28 cm x 14 cm. Purchased in Islington, London 2002.

Sterling and cut glass Asprey dresser comb box, 17 cm x 3 cm 3 cm. c1890. Purchased in London 2007.

Stack of old leather books/ hidden three gilt-painted bottles. 11 cm x 13.5 cm x 8.5 cm. Purchased in London 2005.

<Same Box>

Polished mahogany and brass correspondence box, "Answered" and "Unanswered" c1880. Purchased in Chicago 2002.

18th c rosewood box with decorative escutcheon and key; handle on lid. 23 cm x 13 cm x 13 cm. Purchased in Esslingen on my final solo antiques venture before leaving Germany, Nov. 1985.

19th c rosewood inlaid perfume casket "Odeurs",14.5 cm x 9 cm x 8.5 cm. Purchased on eBay 2009.

Burlwood box with ivory escutcheon and key, c1840 18 cm x 8 cm x 9 cm. Purchased at R. M. Worth Antiques, Chadds Ford, PA 2005.

Music box bought in 1946 in Switzerland by my father for his mother. When she died in 1970, his sister Mary asked to have it. After her death in 1999, my parents gave it to me for Christmas 1999. 19.5 cm x 7 cm x 11.5 cm.

<Same Box>

My Jewelry

African beads with stone from Afghanistan. Purchased at a private show with Liza Antelo in Chicago 2007.

Necklace of antique agate calligraphic seals set in 24k gold with 24k earrings designed by Umit Berksoy at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul 2007.

Turquoise and 24k gold necklace and earrings designed by Gurhan. Purchased from Umit Berksoy at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey 2007.

Semi-precious bead necklace purchased in Goa in 2010 (blue calcedoni, rose quartz, amethyst, silver). These have been offset with Rudraksha seeds (used as prayer beads in Hinduism that I carefully picked out at the Kumb Mela in Haridwar 2010) by Michael Guastadisegni in Chicago 2010.

Silver necklace featuring miniature painted Indian gods and goddesses, pruchased in Udaipur, India 2009.

1. Moon God, Chandra; 2. Lord Shiva and Parvati; 3. Goddess Lakshmi; 4. Lord Krishna and Radha; 5. Hanuman; 6. Goddess Kali; 7. Goddess Durga; 8. Goddess Lakshmi; 9. Goddess Saraswati; 10. Shrinathji; 11. Ganesha; 12. Sun Goddess, Surya.

Folk necklace and earrings. Purchased at Urgut Bazaar, Uzbekistan 2016.

Silver and brass necklace. Purchased in Jaiselmer, India 2009.

Silver spiked necklace purchased at Anjuna Market, Goa, India 2010.

Pearl choker purchased from Anglo-Tex Hong Kong Ltd. and given to me by my parents for my high school graduation from National Cathedral 1965. Earrings are pearl and diamond, made from George’s mother’s jewelry into gifts for the women in her family. He wanted me to have them, too. The simple single pearl earrings were a gift from Houston that I wore on our wedding day.

Pearl necklace given to me by Lan Lan, mother of IWA friend Elizabeth Jia, who, with her husband Donald welcomed George and me to Beijing 2017.

Netted faux pearl necklace. Purchased at the Clarke Museum gift shop, Williamstown, MA 2017.

Necklace of coral beads with silver shell from China. Purchased in Wismar, Germany with Dagmar and Klaus Stark in 2019.

Red amber necklace purchased in Kaliningrad, Russia and red amber and silver earrings purchased in Vilnius, Lithuania 2017.

Necklace of speckled amber beads (Bernstein in German) purchased at Das Bernstein Zimmer in Binz with Dagmar and Klaus 2019.

Necklace of golden amber purchased in Kaliningrad, Russia 2017.

Necklace of multi-colored amber purchased in Bratislava, Solvakia with Carter Hanes, when we took the train there from Vienna 2015.

Necklace of jade beads purchased in Urumqi, China at the Xinjiang Museum and set with an antique coral and silver fastener by Micahel Guastadisegni, Chicago 2017.

Necklace of interlocked copper, brass and stainless steel by Charizzma, the husband and wife team of Werner and Ellen who live in Mulheim and Heilbad Heiligenstadt. Purchased in Binz on the island of Rugen, with Dagmar and Klaus 2019.

Necklace by Welsh jeweler Carrie Elspeth, purchased at Conwy Castle the day before we learned of Em’s medical emergency and aborted our trip traveling through England and Wales to rush home to her 2019.

Antique "Evil Eye" glass pendant with silver bale and inscription on back, "InshAllah" (God willing). Purchased in the Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Turkey 2007.

Large decorated silver bead Navajo necklace from Spirit of the Red Horse at Midway Airport.

Purchased 2010.

Long and short silver bead Navajo necklace from Spirit of the Red Horse at Midway Airport.

Purchased 2016.

Long and short rounded silver bead Navajo necklace from Spirit of the Red Horse at Midway Airport.

Purchased 2015.

Small rounded silver and tourquoise bead Navajo necklace from Spirit of the Red Horse at Midway Airport.

Purchased 2011.

Narrow silver bead Navajo necklace, purchased from Spirit of the Red Horse at Midway Airport 2012.

Silver and tourquoise bead necklace, purchased from Spirit of the Red Horse at Midway Airport 2014.

Silver necklace by Marc Petit. Mayan glyphs inserted on leather straps. Purchased at Hacianda Chichen Resort, Chichen Itza, Mexico 2008.

Christian Dior costume jewelry, 1956. Worn by Em when my father was serving as Assistant Secretary of State, who gave it to me.

Sterling and black onyx brooch marked LDV (designer Laurence DeVries) bought at the Women's Athletic Club in 2006 and made into a pendant with the Caxton Club logo by Michael Guastadisegni in Chicago and engraved on the back, "Susan Hanes President 2013-2015". Gift from George Leonard at the completion of my Caxton Club presidency.

<Same Piece>

Silver "Figa" hand with detail work and "BRAZIL". Purchased in Rio when Houston and I first visited my parents at my father’s new post as US Ambassador 1971.

Silver asyk (heart shaped) pendant with detailed work and a red agate made in Turkmenistan, c1900. Purchased at the Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar) Istanbul, 2007.

Aleutian stone pendant. Purchased in Dutch Harbor, AK 2015.

Canadian ammonite pendant. Purchased at the Ammonite Musuem near Canmore AB 2015.

Silver and onyx stone pendant. Purchased from Georgios Popodopoulos, Delphi, Greece 2012.

Silver and slate pendant representing Grinning Man, an ancient Alutiiq mask we had seen in the musuem. Commissioned Alutiiq artist Doug Inga to carve it for me and send it to Chicago. Purchased at the Alutiiq Museum, Kodiak AK 2015.

Black Lalique crystal heart with silver bale. Gift from George Leonard 2011.

Red Lalique crystal heart with gold bale. Gift from George Leonard 2009.

Tagiamonte Vicenza Murano glass and 18k gold pendant with 3 small rubies. Purchased in Taromina, Sicily 2006.

Sterling Silver Russian Orthodox Pendant "St. George and the Dragon“ 14 K gold plated, by Dona Dei and master jeweler Yuri Federov. Purchased at the Tufenkian Hotel gift shop, Yerevan, Armenia 2016.

18k gold collar given to me by Em.

Gold, silver and brilliant necklace designed by Avendy, motherdaughter team Avril and Cindy in Atlanta. Good friends of Maggie, who gave it to me for Christmas 2018.

"Tennis" necklace 825 silver with matching earrings. Not real diamonds. Purchased in Oak Park, IL 1995.

14K white and gold choker to display pendants. Purchased from Oak Park Jewelers, Oak Park IL 1997.

Etruscan Revival 24k yellow gold necklace. Purchased from Michael S. Haber, Wynnewood PA at Mart Antiques Show, Chicago 2005.

Yellow gold chain with charms from gold charm bracelet started in the 1960s, up to 2014. Charms from over the world and gifts from friends, my parents, and Houston and George.

Amethyst and gold pendant and matching earrings that my father’s bodyguard gave to me in Brazil 1971.

Jade, gold and ruby pendant I commissioned from my friend, Veenu Chopra, to represent Chandra, the Moon God, as a Wilkie Collins souvenir of our first trip to India. The face is copied from those of Chandra on a shield at the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur 2009.

Gold, diamond, and moonstone pendant made by Chicago Jeweler Michael Guastadisegni from the diamonds in a ring left to me by Anne McDowall and a large cat's eye moonstone I purchased from Mr. Bharany, the jeweler in Kolkata's Oberoi Grand Hotel arcade during our return trip to India 2010.

Detail of Chandra (Moon God) on shield at Mehrangarh Fort.

Antique silver Coptic cross from Egypt, c1790. Purchased in Kotor, Montenegro 2012.

Ethiopian silver cross. Purchased ifrom Primitive Arts in Chicago 2004.

Silver and garnet necklace, c1930. Purchased in San Juan, Puerto Rico 2010.

Silver and orange bead African necklace, purchased with Jen when Mike was in graduate school at Cornell in Ithaca NY 2004.

Kirsten Muenster oxidized brass box chain necklace. Purchased in San Francisco while visiting Mike and Jen 2013.

Judith Jack sterling and marcasite choker and matching earrings (925 silver). Purchased from Neiman Marcus 2005.

Patricia Locke choker goldtone necklace with multiolor stones. Purchased at Art and Artisans in Chicago 2005.

Patricia Locke brasstone necklace with geometric design and natural colored stones. Purchased at Marshall Fields in Chicago 2005.

Small amber heart purchased in Vilnius, Lithuania 2016.

Mammoth ivory and amber necklace and mammoth ivory heart. Purchaed in Homer, AK 2009.

Silver pendant with Berber design purchased at a roadside shop near Boumaine, Morocco 2011.

Petoskey stone and silver pendant with coordinating earrings. Purchased in Petoskey, MI 2011

Labradorite and silver pendant, purchased in Alaska 2009 and Labradorite earrings, purchased in Vieques, near Puerto Rico 2010.

Labradorite and silver pendant. Purchased in Gros Morne, Newfoundland 2010.

Blue bead necklace, given to me by Dee Cermak 2010.

Cloisonne necklace. Purchased at China Arts, Guam 1981.

Ammonite and silver brooch made in Alaska. Purchased in Ketchikan, AK 2009.

Sterling and stone brooch and earrings purchased in Williamstown, MA 2010.

Seattle 2006.

Teri Logan necklace of stone and metal. Purchased in

Teri Logan necklace and earrings of stone and metal. Purchased in Chicago 2006.

Silver and obsidian necklace and earrings from Lipari, Aeolian Islands 2006.

Silver earrings with various designs and stones. Purchased at the Jewelry Bazaar in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.

Diana, the administrative assistant at the Solom Inn, took me shopping for earrings at the Jewelry Bazaar. Bukhara, Uzbekistan 2016.

Silver charms that were made into earrings for me by Soni Laycha while we had dinner with his son in Jaisalmer, India 2009.

Antique silver earrings that I bought in the gift shop at the Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel in Xian. I had a warm conversation there with Jia, who told me that we had experienced yuan fen. Xian, China 2017.

Aquamarine, white gold, and diamond earrings. Made in Brazil. Gift from my father 1971.

18k gold earrings given to me by my parents, 2009.

24k gold and 9 garnet earrings that George purchased for me at Rambagh Palace, Jaipur at the end of our first visit to India 2009.

18k yellow gold Victorian Etruscan Revival urn-shaped drops decorated with gold beading and fine wire work. Purchased from Lang Antique Jewelry 2006.

Traditional gold Croatian military aibenik buttons purchased from Memento John, Dubrovnik, Croatia 2012.

Bracelet I bought in the tiny shop housed in the Hanging Monastery, dating from as early as the 4th c and located 65 km southwest of Datong. 2017.

Baleen and mammoth ivory bracelet. Purchased at the Sea Lion, Homer AK 2009.

Gold 14k cuff bracelet by Haida Carmen Goertzen (1963- ) featuring Raven and the Moon. Commissioned on Haida Gwaii 2015.

Gaspeite and sterling bracelet by Wazo. George bought it for my birthday in Perce, Quebec 2010.

Trillion-cut Kunzite and 18k gold brooch with 7 diamonds, purchased by my father for Em in Brazil from Franz Flohr, Rio. 1971. Gift from Em 2019.

Lalique clear moulded glass broach in metal mount with pink foil and blue staining. Signed "RL" with sword and "Lalique". Purchased from Didier Antiques, London 2006.

Silver 925 dagger in a sheath with three small green stones, marked "made in Palestine A Stanetzky". Purchased by Em when she was serving on the Anglo-American Committee on Palestine where she met my father, 1946.

Tiffany sterling heart designed by Paloma Picasso. Given to me by Houston on Valentine's Day 1995.

Heart of 14k yellow gold with 21 diamonds that I commissioned, by Meme Gaudyn of Oak Park, 2000.

South African gold proteus with topaz that my mother purchased in Pretoria in 1968 and gave to me in 2017.

Diamond brooch that my father commissioned for my mother after his retirement from the Foreign Service. He asked their old friends, Ambassador Nadim and Margaret Dimeshkie, Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S. and his wife, to have it especially made in Beirut. He gave it to my mother in the 1980s.

Copper shaped gold oendant with Haida Design. Marked on back "Sweewa 1997”. Made by Salish Sweewa a Sewtskem’. Purchased at Spirits of the West Coast Gallery 2009.

Guilded 19th c Georgian silver ring (that I converted to a brooch) with five carnelians and four hearts. Purchased from Nino at the Marriott Hotel in Tblisi, Georgia 2016.

Mexican silver and rose quartz brooch with garnet in the center. Purchased at Midway Airport 2006.

Cat's eye and gold metal brooch/ pendant that my father gave to his mother, my Grandmother Rountree.

Cameo that belonged to my Grandmother Susie Wilson Skinner, given to her by her own mother, Ella Pollard.

Gold and tourmaline brooch designed by my father, who had it made for me in South Africa 1968.

18k solid gold bangle my father had made for me. 1965.

Tourmaline and diamond ring made in Brazil and given to Em by her own father in 1972.

My engagement ring from George Edward Leonard III. 14k yellow gold and platinum ring with 1 brilliant-cut diamond 1.5 cts. and 2 trilliant diamonds .48 cts. Given to me September 2001.

My Very Special Things

Gold thimble belonging to Susie Wilson Skinner, my grandmother. Given to me by my mother, 2019.

Baby ring 10k gold, belonging to Suzanne McDowall. 1 cm. diameter.

Garnet ring worn by my grandmother until her engagement and then by my mother until her engagement, and then by me until my engagment.

(Photos are of my grandmother, Susie Skinner, and my mother, Suzanne McDowall)

Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity pins belonging to Suzanne McDowall, DE Chapter, Univeristy of Utah 1941 (with pledge pin) and Susan Rountree, EE Chapter, Emory University 1966 (with chapter pin). Our certificates were both signed by Clara O. Pierce, Executive Secretary. Both housed in the original box (1941) of the KKG official jeweler, Burr, Patterson, Auld Co., Detroit, MI.

“Fairy Cross” of twinned staurolite crystals, given to me by my Grandmother Clyde Rountree in Atlanta, c1955.

Gold ring designed after the one that my father wore as long as I can remember. (He is wearing it in this picture.)

Michael Guastadisegni melted his ring together with Houston's wedding band and created a woman's version of my father’s ring, down to the lion detailing on the sides. Chicago, 2013.

Silver and tourquoise "poison ring" given to me by my father, c1956. He gave it to me with a dot of green Prell shampoo in the hidden compartment. It was supposed to look like poison. So cool, I never forgot it.

(Photo of my father with my Grandmother Rountree)

Antique faience donkey beads. My grandfather, John McDowall, bought these beads in Egypt and always had them hanging from the radio knob in his Cadillac as a good luck charm.

Cajun brand wooden duck call that belonged to my grandfather, who loved to go hunting.

Army issue New Testament that belonged to my grandfather Colonel John McDowall. It includes Psalms that my grandmother, Susan Skinner, wrote out for him. He has inscribed it to his only child, my mother, Suzanne.

(Photo of my grandfather was taken when he was posted by the Army to Newfoundland.)

Houston's university of Florida ring, BSCE 1971, Lambda Chi Alpha and his Tau Beta Pi key.

The Tau Beta Pi Association is the oldest engineering honor society and the second oldest collegiate honor society in the United States. It honors engineering students in American universities who have shown a history of academic achievement as well as a commitment to personal and professional integrity.

24k yellow gold pendant special order in the shape of a Chinese lock with names "Susan . Houston" in Chinese characters and flowers. Ordered from China Arts, Guam 1983.

Tiffany Spanish 750 gold heart designed by Elsa Peretti. Houston and I picked it out together on January 9 for him to give to me for Valentine's Day 1999. He had it gift wrapped and told me not to peek. He died on January 19, 1999, before he could give it to me. I wore it to his funeral.

Olive wood cross that hung from the bookmark in Houston's Bible, given to him by Dr. Edward McLeod, the minister at King's Grant Presbyterian Church when he was ordained as an elder. Virginia Beach c1987.

(Photo is of Houston with Mike in Pittsburgh in 1976. It is my favorite “Dad” picture of him.)

Teddy that Mike made for his bear Theo, that Em made for him, c1980.

Cow carved by Mike for my collection, Virginia Beach 1986. (When he realized how fat the cow was turning out, he knocked the legs off but I pursuaded him that I loved it the way it was and we glued them back on.)

Cloisonne box from Mike [Frog] Hanes, Guam, Christmas 1982.

Cloisonne box from Chris Hanes, Guam, Christmas 1982.

"Milo" by Chris, Guam 1982. He has brightened my kitchen ever since.

Box Chris made for me and decorated with my monogram and a poem, in which I keep particulalry special treasures, including those on the next page. A copy of the poem is inside. A gift in 1997.

Envelope and heart on tiny cloud quilt. On back: Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved you with an everlasting love." Made for me by Katheen Brooks after Houston's death 1999.

Glückschwein or Good luck pig that Dagmar put next to my bed at their home in Stuttgart before I left to join George for our 10,000 km trip in the Balkans 2012.

A tiny handstitched doll, made for me by Sharon Connor as a gift when I left Germany in 1985.

Mexican coin cut into a three-heart puzzle. Jen gave a piece to Maggie and to me and kept the third one. Christmas 2019.

A ring that was carefully chosen for me by Wesley, along with an explanatory note from Maggie, c2009.

Red gumdrop of WV glass, a gift from Betty Maier Culwell on my wedding day to George Leonard, November 24, 2001, with the note, "May all of your gumdrops be red," referring to my red Chuckles that was stolen when we were in boarding school together.

Our 2020 World

Cover: From Vladimir Markov we bought a tiny Russian book, Symbol of Faith, published by Dubna Phoenix, that had been taken into space aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. (3 cm x 2.5 cm x .5 cm). Moscow 2017.

Left: A tin-type that George made of a picture he took of me in 2000, soon after we met.