Gifts of Grandeur: A Warriors’ “Bravery” Brooch of Diamonds, 1750

Brooch
Rose-cut Diamonds Set in Silver
Western Europe, 1750
Given as a trophy.
Victoria & Albert Museum

Extravagant diamond pieces were not reserved exclusively for ladies prior to the Nineteenth Century. Men often wore opulent jewels not only as adornment, but also as symbols of their station. Going into the Nineteenth Century, Royal gentlemen (such as Prince Albert) continued to wear gemstone badges and brooches, but the practice fell out of favor with people not associated with royalty. Pity.


This diamond brooch from 1750 is a good example of a gentleman’s piece of jewelry. Made in Western Europe, the brooch contains dozens of large rose-cut diamonds set in silver. The design is based on military weapons—a canon, pistol, arrows, axe, flag and plumed helmet. Such a piece was given to a man as a symbol of his bravery and as a trophy of battle. He would wear it proudly to remind himself and others of his accomplishments.

Treat of the Week: Special Double Edition

This weekend was not only Memorial Day; it also marked my mother’s birthday. In order to celebrate, we enjoyed two delicious meals and two exceptional treats of the week. A “White” lasagna of cheese and spinach was my father’s main course offering to the festivities. My father cooks only on Mother’s Day and my Mother’s birthday and always does a great job. He even baked his own bread. This year, he baked and decorated a beautiful lemon cake filled with lemon curd to celebrate my mother’s birthday. Many pieces were enjoyed by all.

Next, we enjoyed a delicious very-American meal of Panko-breaded, Buttermilk chicken, buttermilk herbed mashed potatoes and a carrot and raisin salad. Homemade angel biscuits rounded out the meal. Since we already had a cake, my mother added a lighter baked good to the event with these adorable snickerdoodles (see below). Tender and bursting with cinnamon, these cookies are so beautifully delicate that, when held up to the light, you can almost see through them.

With such good food, fun and the promise of wonderful things in the future, it was certainly a time for much celebration.

The Belle Époque Today: “The Cult of Beauty” at the Victoria and Albert Museum

The Cult of Beauty

The Victoria & Albert Museum has launched a special exhibition which chronicles the history of the Aesthetic Movement (circa 1860 to 1890) and demonstrates the progression of the movement as well as its many influences. The exhibition, “The Cult of Beauty,” is a visual treat with examples of Aesthetic Movement fine and decorative arts from the museum’s permanent collection. Among the items on display are paintings, sculpture, photographs, furniture, decorative home goods, china, clothing, jewelry, prints, drawings and books.

Charger
William De Morgan, 1888
The Victoria & Albert Museum

For purposes of the exhibition, the Aesthetic Movement is defined by four ideas: The Search for the New Beauty, Art for Art’s Sake, Beautiful People and Aesthetic Houses, and Late-Flowering Beauty. The exhibit runs through July 17, 2011. To learn more about visiting this remarkable installation at the V&A and to see examples from the exhibit, visit the Web site of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Mrs. Luke Ionides
William Blake Richmond, 1882
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Punch's Cousin, Chapter 257

Julian’s body tumbled down the stairs as Mr. Scaramouche continued to bellow.


“Julian!” Barbara gasped, rushing toward the figure of her brother. Scaramouche snarled at her and she stepped back.

“I am not Julian!” Scaramouche growled as he dragged himself off of the bottom step and onto the floor of the foyer. “Stay away from me, Barbara Allen! If you think you can repay me what I’m owed by showing me some false kindness, you’re sorely…” he groaned as he gripped Julian’s head again, “…mistaken.”

“What’s happening to him?” Barbara asked Cecil.

“I’m not sure,” Cecil replied rigidly, unsure as to what to do.

“I’ll tell you,” Scaramouche spat, “Your timid brother and that scoundrel, Mr. Punch, are trying to overtake me from within. Fools! Now that I’m free, they’ll never stuff me back into that horrible little place again—that place where I grew and boiled and sweated.”

A clattering sound and voices in the back hallway startled both Barbara and Cecil. As Cecil walked toward the door to the back passage, and whooped when he saw his brother and Marjani emerge.

“How ever did you get past Edward Cage?” Cecil rushed forward, embracing Robert.

“It wasn’t easy.” Robert laughed. “Marjani is quite clever.”

Marjani clucked her tongue. “No more so than anyone else, Sir.” She smiled. “I done crept into places unnoticed many times when I was nursin’ sick folk. Some of them plantation owners in Marionneaux didn’t want their slaves to get nursed. Couldn’t just let ‘em suffer, so I learned how to make myself real small.”

“Thank you,” Cecil smiled.

“Doctor, do hurry,” Barbara urged, pointing to the spot where Julian’s body writhed on the floor.

“Dear God!” Robert gasped. “What’s happened? Mr. Punch!”

“He’s not Punch,” Cecil said quickly.

“Julian?” Robert hurried to the man’s side.

“He’s not Julian either,” Cecil added, following his brother.

“Whatever do you mean?” Robert frowned. “He must be one or the other.”

“No.” Barbara interrupted.

“Are you telling me that there’s a third—a third entity inside of him?” Robert asked.

“If not more.” Cecil sighed.

“I’m Scaramouche, Doctor!” Julian’s face groaned. “Only to you I’m ‘Mr. Scaramouche.’ I don’t want your quackery. Leave me! If you want to help, find me pretty things and put them in my satchel! Leave me to this battle for it does not concern you!”

Robert sighed heavily and looked with wet eyes at Marjani who frowned sympathetically.

“You were correct,” Robert whispered.

“I didn’t want to be,” Marjani said.

Meanwhile, within their shared body, Mr. Punch hollered loudly.

“Master!” Punch shouted. “Our chums are here!”

“I know,” Julian said calmly.

“Robert!” Punch screamed, hoping his enthusiasm would make their body’s mouth move. “Chum! We’re in here! We been tryin’ to overpower him, but he’s strong, this Scaramouche! He’s a man of anger, and ain’t nothin’ stronger than anger! Find us! Please!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-256? If so, you can read them here.

Goal for the Day: Take One Thing at a Time

If you try to pour more water into a funnel than it can handle, it will spill over the sides and have no chance of getting through. The same applies to our minds. When you try to force too many details, problems and issues into your head at one time, you’re only going to end up covered in an unpleasant stew of thoughts which is all the more difficult to clean up.


Today, as your day’s trickle of information turns into a flood, take on only as much as you can handle at once. Sometimes, it’s better to deal with one issue thoroughly and intelligently than it is to half-heartedly solve all of the world’s problems.

The people who respect and support you, will understand that you’re doing your best and the rest can fall in line where they may.

Object of the Day: An Antique Sapphire and Pearl Stickpin

Since we’re starting off another week of sparkling jewels here at Stalking the Belle Époque, why not begin with an antique stickpin from my own collection?


Set in 15 karat gold, this English stickpin dates between 1860 and 1890. Its delicate workmanship tells a tale of the sensibilities of English Victorian jewelers. With delicate open-work gold, and a deep-blue, shimmering sapphire, this stickpin is given one final, perfect touch with a seed pearl mounted at its tip.

The perfect accessory for a gentleman, this stickpin would have been as appropriate for a day in the country as it would at a smart dinner party.

Happy "Decoration Day" and Spring Bank Holiday!

Here's wishing all of you a relaxing Memorial Day, and, to our friends in the U.K., a peaceful Spring Bank Holiday.  We'll be back with updates tomorrow!  Have a great day!