The few genuine hardware or ironmonger stores still in business form a sharp contrast to the rest of the product world of our day. They may be found in those areas of Europe that have miraculously escaped the culture of Do-It-Yourself store chains. Half general store, half treasury, they hold a multitude of wondrous objects the purpose of which may or may not be guessed. However, their existence in the world would be pleasant even if they had no purpose at all.