Travel Souvenirs

Series “What You Collect”

Vintage Silk Souvenir Scarf - Ireland 1950’s

Take for instance a silk scarf purchased in a second-hand store while vacationing in Ireland. This lovely vintage scarf with an emerald green border and scenes from Ireland really caught my eye. It was only $5.00 and was in perfect condition down to the square “original” ironed creases and gold tag that said “Ireland.” It had such wonderful scenes from notable places in Ireland: The Rock of Cashel, Dun Laoghaire harbor and Dublin bay, shooting the rapids at Killarney, and Twelve Pins Connemara. I love the history of these places:

·        The Rock of Cashel is an ancient royal site of the Kings of Munster and first attained importance as a fortress. Its origins as a center of power go back to the 4th or 5th centuries.

·        The Twelve Bens or Twelve Pins (Irish: Na Beanna Beola; the peaks of Beola) is a mountain range of mostly sharp-peaked quartzite summits and ridges located in the Connemara National Park in County Galway, in the west of Ireland.

·        Dún Laoghaire is a suburban coastal town in the traditional county of Dublin in Ireland. It is the county town of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, one of the three authorities that replaced the old Dublin County Council. The town was built following the 1816 legislation that allowed the building of a major port to serve Dublin

·        Shooting the rapids is a beautiful everyday scene for this area of Ireland. Notice the Old Weir Bridge, found in Killarney, Co Kerry, Ireland.

·        And in the center of the scarf lies the Irish Celtic Cross - a symbol that conjures up all the mystery of the Dark Ages. It is also a popular symbol of faith, whether the belief is pagan, Christian or of any other religion. But perhaps it is most widely known as a powerful symbol of Irish heritage.

This lovely European silk scarf is small, only 11” X 11”. As a decorator I am always thinking of ways I can incorporate it into my home. I could:

• Use it as a pocket scarf tucking it into your jacket pocket
• Tie it onto my handbag (which I did when I was on my trip in Ireland.) 
• Frame it in glass on a creamy silk background. Use a square antiqued frame and hang it in my guest room. 
• Place it into a shadow box with other small trinkets, brochures, photos etc. from my trip to Ireland around it. 
• Center it and hand stich it onto a readymade pillow (pillow made in harmonizing color) That would go nicely on a bed or in a den. 
• When entertaining for tea I could use it at the center of the tea table, think of what a conversation piece it would be. 
• I have used it for St Patrick’s Day Vignettes on my table or mantel too.

Travel souvenirs are a great way to conger up past memories and share your love of travel. No matter how you organize your souvenirs do remember to get them out and use them, after all memories are what drives our happiness.

How would you use this small silk scarf? I think a silk scarf is a lovely souvenir, a piece of vintage history. I’d love to hear new ways I can display or enjoy it. Email or message your suggestions to me on Instagram, Facebook or my email address. I’d love to hear from you!

Until next time!  Jonelle'