Explore the Intricate Beauty of This Forgotten Victorian Artifact!
July 22, 2024
Source: Reddit
Have you ever recall when you opened the drawer then you find some items that you never see it in your life before in your grandparents’ house? It could be a beautiful piece of jewellery, a special pendant or a beautiful brooch that may have meant something to someone. One such find could be a group of Victorian mechanical pencils which are as much a piece of art as they are a writing instrument.
Victorian mechanical pencils are the perfect example of how function and style can coexist in one object from that time period. These writing instruments were not just objects used for writing, but they were prestige items. These pencils were made from gold and silver and they were decorated with gemstones or enamel; these were valuable items that people treasured as they were well made and expected to last a lifetime.
In the Victorian era which is from 1837 to 1901, the mechanical pencils were produced in large numbers and the writing was not just a task but an art. Each piece was a masterpiece with beautiful engravings and the most detail work. The mechanism for extension and retraction of the pencil was one of the best contrivances of the time. However, most of these mechanisms have become rigid over the years, the charm and the elegance of these pencils have not faded away.
During the time when the ball pens and electronic gadgets were not in existence, a good mechanical pencil was worth a lot. This enclosed a person’s status in the society and was frequently presented to the owner at special times or when they accomplished something significant. These pencils were not only applied in writing letters and taking of notes but also in drawing and drafting, thus making them appropriate for use both at the workplace and at home.
Not only were Victorian mechanical pencils useful, they were cultural items as well. It depicts a period when people relied on writing as the chief way of passing information and the tools used to inscribe such information were in themselves valuable. Such refinement of these pencils can be associated with the general culture of beauty and quality workmanship, which was an essential part of the Victorian society.
To this day, these antique pencils are still often collected together with antique jewelries as proof of their continued worth and appeal. It means that they should be handled and stored with a lot of caution so that they remain in the same condition. For those who are lucky to own such pieces they act as a link to the past, a picture of the Victorian age and the pomp that was characteristic of the era.
It is quite possible to breathe new life into a Victorian mechanical pencil and get it back to its original state. When done by a professional or by anyone with keen interest to do it at home, it requires a little scrubbing and oiling to get the model right for the telescoping mechanism. Thus, it can be said that this act of preservation is to make sure that these wonderful pieces of art can still be admired for the next generations.
Not only are these Victorian mechanical pencils functional objects for writing, but they are also a representation of a time gone by and a connection to a certain style that was popular during that time. Such pieces are showcased in a collection of antique jewelry because of their worth, being icons of an era where aesthetics and function came hand in hand.
Thus, the next time you have a chance to use one of these lovely pencils, you should be grateful for the efforts that were made to create it. In a society that seems to be moving toward the use of frivolous items, the stylish and long lasting nature of a Victorian mechanical pencil is a shining example of how the simple pleasures in life never tarnish.