Priceless

Long before it was pipelined from one country to another, trucked from river to city or floated by huge barges to desert communities, water was pumped from wells, fed by springs and brought into the home by bucket.

Years ago before it arrived by simply turning on a tap, water was cherished and used sparingly. Beautiful pitchers and large porcelain bowls were part of one's morning cleansing. Some were simply tin or enamel, all functional in order to wash a face and hands.



I have always loved these useful pieces of the past. Complete sets (bowl, pitcher, cup and toothbrush holder) are highly prized and expensive. Some were floral painted, transferware, stippled or the design part of the mold.



Their beauty still very visible they can be adapted to many uses. Holding towels, catching rainwater, and even a cool place for a kittie to lay on a warm summer day make them a perfect item to collect.

One can only imagine the delicate faces that once looked down into these bowls or the tiny little hands that poured the water from the pitchers.



Perhaps someday my small collection will come in handy, as the water we take for granted becomes priceless.