Friday, October 29, 2010

Mystery box opened!

For all of you waiting with bated breath....you can let go now! Whoosh....! The suspense is over. The mystery box that belonged to my great grandmother (the lady holding the baby in the pic below, the baby is my mom, the other lady is my grandmother)has stayed locked for 50 plus years has finally been unlocked.
The locksmith arrived early - that in itself was to me a good omen! I mean who EVER comes on time, leave alone early, in Hyderabad?????? Then he attacked the box with a vengeance.....he brought out all his keys, big, small, round, tapered, narrow, with a hole, without a hole and methodically tried them all! After about half an hour of valiant effort, he sat back and pronounced it impossible. He said the box was so old they didn't make keys to fit them any more......! I almost cried. He must have sensed my disappointment, cos he said he would go back to his shop, scrounge around, ask his locksmith buddies and try to bring back a key which he could file down to fit the keyhole! We had been chatting all the while and I think he realized his role in the big mystery....and how many fellow bloggers are dying of curiosity.

Well, true to his word he showed up in the evening, and after finding a key to fit the keyhole, he drilled it, he sawed it, he cut it, he filed it...and then when he was satisfied, he put the key in, turned it clockwise.......it was so silent you could hear a pin drop.....we heard a little click, he asked me to lift the lid off! Voila! It opened! And this is what I saw....

OK, so I am a wee bit disappointed. I had visions of mysterious things hidden there....maybe some valuable coins, jewelry, photographs, money, letters, secret compartments....! It had none of those but it did have 4 compartments, and I am glad we got it opened. Just to have a box that is close to 100 years old, which my great grandma used is reward enough! Its in amazingly perfect shape, no scratches, sturdy hinges, brass hardware..all in good condition.
So now what shall I use it for? The locksmith fixed the key too, so it can be locked/unlocked. For now I have kept some of my silver bling bling in it...



So we can all relax now.... It sure was fun for me to have you share in my anticipation :-)

16 comments:

GB said...

See? It was a treasure box---one you could fill with your own treasures!! Good thing it hasa lock on it, or a certain magan blogger might be tempted to fly across the seven seas to raid it!!

Shanthi said...

Cool Cool!!!!! now we are all cooled. A treasure handed down thru' genrations and I am sure Rajam would be smiling.Those silver treasures you have seem to belong there. :-)

brinda nilesh said...

oh finally!
i guess inheriting something as old as this in itself is a wonderful thing!and the jewellery looks stunning against the dark contrast!!:)

PreeOccupied said...

What gorgeousness unearthed. That also gives us a peek into your own treasure. I love your silver.

Anonymous said...

The interior is in such pristine condition that it might have actually held jewelry belonging to your great grandmother. It looks lovely filled with all your jewelry.

Sound Horn Please said...

Finally! Wow! It is actually in such mint condition. And like Gagan I might be tempted to steal your jewellery :)

Anonymous said...

happy that you were able to open it...and i agree with all the others who've said versions of what i want to myself... it looks great with your jewelry so maybe you should use it as a jewelry box. :)

Emreen said...

Wow! a 100 yr old box with compartments to hold jewellery,....!tatz' great...!May be u can also pass it over generations ;-) ;-) Waiting to see the completed DIY project...!

Sudha said...

super cool Kamini :)

it sure feels proud to own a piece of family history...the box is so beautiful...and looks so well made.

Laura said...

So, it was full of *potential* ! :) Nothing to be disappointed about at all, hehe.

It looks lovely with your jewelry inside. :)

Bhargavi said...

Wow!! love your bangles and trinkets inside that treasure chest.. and the box itself looks gorgeous..

Anonymous said...

*sigh* Thats precious!! If I was near by.. Id come.. and steal some stuff off you.. *wink* really... I would!! You are so so blessed!! Treasure it all!! :-)

Unknown said...

Lovely Kamini...doesnt this call for buying more jewelry...:-) and btw, i covet some of those pieces...:-))

Sensuous2Spiritual said...

Your choice of picture frame is just perfect.

I have a similar jwellery chest (bought it from Pondicherry but lucky; you inherited it!) in which I have stored shringar for my laddoo gopal but your jrwellery display is just so perfect that I will look at re-arranging today.

Love your idea's...

Rekha said...

What a relief, I loved the idea of storing treasures in a treasure box...makes me want to hunt for something similar.

Unknown said...

Can't decide If I am falling for your chest more or is it you stunning jewellery!