Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Broken Item of the Week...er Century

Why oh why did I come up with this Broken Item of the Week silliness?  I was poking fun at my husband because he is was the major breaker of things in our household.  Well, I guess he gets the last laugh.  Remember this blog post on my beloved family heirloom the Grandfather Clock?

It stood stands so majestically in our front entryway.

Notice the wonderful patina.


The clock face so lovingly restored by my husband.


Today, I decided to be Susie Homemaker and do some cleaning.  I know, it's a shocker and look what I get for my labours.





Yes, in living colour here is the damage.


Shattered glass. 
Emma surveys the destruction.

The clock came all the way from Scotland with my ancestors in 1764.  How could this happen?  I don't know.  I was just standing in front of it vacuuming the floor when all of a sudden it keeled over right behind me. 

Don't worry, Gentle Readers, I'm all right.  Just a glancing blow to the shoulder as I dived out of the way.  I'll be okay.  The clock, not so much.

30 comments:

Unknown said...

Hoping that it isn't as bad as it seems now :(

Blessings!
Gail

Sue Frelick said...

Oh, nooooo! How enbelievably heart breaking for you! :-( I'm sure someone can restore it. Items have been restored for museums after all.

Sue Frelick said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sue Frelick said...

Don't feel it's your fault, my friend. My husband says it looks like the glue let go. He thinks it would have happened whether you were standing under vacuuming or not. I hope that helps a litte.

elegancemaison said...

Oh no! I'm hoping that Sue is correct and that it's just the glue. And the glass can surely be replaced. Anyway it's a lesson for me. I don't do housework, and this just proves me right. Though I'm very sorry for your heirloom of course. We've learnt to be sanguine about such things. Most of my husband's family heirloom furniture was discovered with trees growing through it when the shippers went to collect them from the Scottish island where they were in store. We were too shocked even to weep.

Laura said...

NOooooooo! I remember playing hide and seek in that clock! Don't throw any pieces out! (well, ok, the broken glass is fine to get rid of) but keep the face!! And the frame around the door of the face! We can make some project and keep the history alive.

the gardener's cottage said...

yikes deb. i love your broken item of the week. but this is just sad. hope it can be repaired.

An Urban Cottage said...

Oh, no. That's not at all funny like the other stuff.

Makeminemidcentury said...

Oh good grief! How did that happen? I'm hoping it can be fixed. Surely, it can be fixed.

Is that Emma in the photo? Did she push it over? Is your dog trying to MURDER YOU?! Don't let her near the gun safe.

Anonymous said...

Deb,
I'm honestly sick for you... I don't know what else to say...
hope you're alright! and stop cleaning. :)

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Oh wow, thank God you weren't seriously injured. That's why we should leave cleaning to the professionals.

onbeingaminimum said...

I have always believed that housework is a dangerous activity Deb! I am glad you escaped unscathed and it appears that the clock had maybe come to the end of its days. I am sure it has had a happy and much loved life.
Now, put that hoover away!

Razmataz said...

OMG.....I guess your husband will be busy re-gluing it back together. Better lag bolt it to the wall next time. Poor you. That must be a tough thign to see broken.

Unknown said...

Oh me. Oh my. Oh no.

I broke a clay wreath, on the weekend, made by the male twin when he was five. One of the only artsy craft things he's ever made. I almost cried.

I bet you did.

Mrs. M said...

I'd be heartsick with that loss. Such an incredible piece of history. I am so sorry for your loss. I guess there is no chance it can be repaired.

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness you weren't really hurt badly!
A good woodworker can probably repair most of the case, most of the panels look intact. Even if it has some damage that can't be repaired, the right worker can probably blend it in so it isn't so obvious. Please try and get it into the right hands, there is too much history there to toss, it may lose monetary value, but your value is to your family. Afterwards, whatever you do, have it mounted to the wall, very securely, these types are top heavy. My husband has repaired many, you have no idea how many go over, esp. if the weights are pulled high. Hears hoping for help for both you & your clock.

brismod said...

I've just suppressed a profanity after reading about your Grandfather clock! Whoa. That would've given you the biggest fright.

I hope you'll be able to find a clocksmith who can repair it. xx

Leslie said...

nooooooooooooo That just stinks!!!!
.. but i do enjoy reading your broken items of the week. I should join in, I am the breaker around here.

WrathofDawn said...

Oh, my lord! You must be heartbroken! Is it salvageable?

So glad you're not hurt, though.

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

I'm so glad you're okay, but your wonderful heirloom. Surely it can be repaired, right?

Deb said...

Oh no...sure hope you can fix it Deb! I think that's enough cleaning for one day. ~Deb~

PS...I ordered my chalk paint from California (www.HouseofAnne.net)...they ship to Canada.

Janet said...

Oh dear - I was close to tears when I saw the damage - likely glue letting go and small stresses starting to add up, and as one commenter says - these things are top heavy - hope you can get it restored - would your insurance cover at least some of the restoration cost - such a neautiful and rare heirloom!

Jen Kershner said...

Oh no! That's heartbreaking. I know it's just a thing but I would be so sad! I hope your day got better after that.

Anonymous said...

We had an old chandelier in our old house that one day fell off the ceiling and onto the dining table while we were dining. No one was hurt and after the first feeling of loss we replaced it with one sparkling new design chandelier. We had the old one fixed, but no one knows where it is right now. apparently we weren't so in love with the family treasure after all!!
But I still hope you can get you clock fixed.

candyn said...

Oh my goodness!!! I am glad you weren't hurt. How heartbreaking though. Usually your broken thing of the week makes me chuckle, but this one hurt my heart a bit. Sending hugs!

petals and vintage said...

On no Deb. I wouldn't clean anymore! Hope it can be restored in some way.

Pam x

the old boathouse said...

Oh Deb! That hit me in the stomach and heart. How unbelievably awful! I so hope it can be repaired back to its original beauty. I don't think you could ever top this one in the breakages of items!! cheers Katherine

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

OH my, Deb...this one sure isn't funny...and I'm so glad you are okay! I hope it can be repaired...so sorry to hear this! XO

the domestic fringe said...

Oh, my goodness! I'm so very sorry. This is SO sad for you. I'm glad it didn't fall right on top of you. This is a great example of why I am against housework! It just messes things up. If I were from the South, I'd say "Bless your heart." Only I'm from the North and we have no nice saying for times like these. Wish I were closer so I could make you a cup of tea and clean up all that broken glass. Hugs from NY.
-FringeGirl

Raine and Sage said...

I want to laugh and cry at the same time! Emma is giving the vibe the clock is not salvageable. I cracked a glass salad bowl the other day and thought of you; although it's so insiginificant in comparison.