Finding 21st century Heirlooms

[sergeilavrov]

So much now seems to be closer to disposable than in the past (not that it should be, or has to be - before I get torn a new one - just that things are often made with price over quality in mind.) So, if you were going to buy something now in the hope that your great grandchildren would use it, what would it be? Tell me all the secret shops to frequent!

I've inherited a much loved 19th century Steiff teddy bear with the most beautiful, though loose, amber glass eyes; some special parts of our family history in terms of books from the secret publishing house we hid in the war and engagement rings etc, but most of the heirlooms I've introduced myself come from places I've visited for work: antique books and afghan/persian rugs, knives, menorahs and tapestries.

I've been on a silversmithing course and hope some of the pieces I've made might survive me.

Books and fountain pens, definitely.

Some of the art on my walls - most is commissioned from friends. And I'd love to think some of my own images might survive me too?!

Otherwise genuinely not sure and you've made me think!

Also... Secret publishing house?! Tell us more?!

Silversmithing must be a lot of fun, I bet you create some wonderful things. I suppose people may have turned to making their own things specifically for ensuring something lasts a long time. I suspect a lot of my lack of usable heirlooms is in the absence of sewing skills in our household - blankets get replaced, not fixed.

One side of my family hid Jewish people across their properties when their country was taken over in the war; we hid a Jewish printing press in the basement of one our houses and helped distribute Hebrew books and religious passages for children to keep learning their culture. They spent all of their wealth doing this, so the last few diamonds we had were put into an engagement ring between my grandparents. The books are crumbling, made out of materials that wouldn't draw too much attention so not good quality paper, but they were passed back to our family by the Holocaust Memorial (Yad Vashem) in Israel. I speak Hebrew, so I've managed to translate them and understand the history a little.