Saturday, March 1, 2008

A Golden Patina

It may be off season for the Backus-Page House Museum but the Tyrconnell Heritage Society continues to enforce its historically directed mandate. Accession is a year round activity as the committees and board members work to increase the scope of the museum collection.

One of the newest items to join our collection has only just arrived this past week. The piece, a cutlery tray, is so new that the Accessions Committee hasn’t even had a chance to catalogue the item or research its construction or history.


The tray was purchased in Barrie but should fit quite well into the Talbot Settlement 1800’s circa collection at the Backus-Page House Museum. Cutlery trays would have played a prominent role in the diningroom or kitchen of the settler household. In the 1800’s house the cutlery tray would have been left out on the table ensuring the utensils were always close at hand. This tray has a rich patina that can only be acquired through many years of dedicated service. The edges of the handle have been worn smooth with the caress of countless hands.


The THS is confident that this new piece will be a fine addition to our growing collection.


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