Crystal

I am the owner of two heavy crystal platters that I seldom have any reason to use. They were wedding presents for my late wife and her first husband. His family were wealthy so the occasion, it seemed to her, was something of an extravaganza. The platters, along with two substantial crystal bowls, ended up with her after their divorce, and have ended up in my sole possession since her death.

One has a floral design with a hint of Art Nouveau about it, the other, a little smaller but thicker, has abstract patterns cut into the glass. After years of careless storage, both of them are scratched and far from pristine. I can’t imagine they have any financial value. Unlike the bowls, they are at least still intact: if only they were more useful!