Masterpiece of the Week: An Enamel and Ruby Bow, circa 1600

Bow
Enamel, Rubies, Pearl, Gold
1600-1660
The Victoria and Albert Museum

Little is known about this beautiful little bow. It was made somewhere in Europe between 1600 and 1660. A masterpiece of enamel work, the bow is beautiful from both sides. The front of the piece is set with sparking rubies in gold mounts while the reverse is hand-painted with enamel flowers.
Throughout its life the bow has been worn as both a pendant and a brooch. The dangling pearl at the bottom may be a later addition.

Mastery of Design: A Gold and Diamond Bodice Ornament, 1700

Bodice Ornament
Spanish, 1700
Gold, Rose-Cut Diamonds
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Curling acanthus leaves form the basis of the magnificent gold bodice ornament which was held by means of two flat hooks at the top of the bodice. Over the hundred diamonds in substantial gold mounts, offer movement and sparkle to the piece. Five large rose-cut diamonds accent the front of this Spanish ornament.

The work is delicate and intricate with fine engraving on the leaves and the drums which holds the largest diamonds.

This impressive bodice ornament came from the Treasury of the Cathedral of the Virgin of the Pillar, Zaragoza among a group of jewels purchased by the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1870, when the Cathedral, in an effort to fund a building project, auctioned off treasures presented to the shrine of the Virgin.

Sunday Morning Special: "Bébé Polichinelle" Musical Automaton by Lambert, c. 1895

Polichinelle

This unusual automaton by the French maker Lambert dates to 1895. The figure of a rather demented looking child moved in time to an internal music box as she manipulates a marionette of Polichinelle—the French version of the Italian Pulcinella (as opposed to his cousin, Guignol) who as we know is Britain’s beloved Mr. Punch.

Coming this Week at "Stalking the Belle Époque"

Over the past year, regular visitors have started to expect certain things each week from Stalking the Belle Époque. Now, as I plan the coming week’s activities, let’s see if I’m satisfying your expectations.



1. Antiques and interesting objects from my own collection? Yes as well as similar items from museums across the world.

2. Cards of the Day? Of course! Seven beautiful vintage cigarette cards depicting the lives of King George V and Queen Mary.

3. Punch’s Cousin? Well, you don’t really think I’d leave Mr. Punch with a Yellow Fever case, do you?

4. A visit to an exciting location? Absolutely! The Palace of Westminster.

5. Gorgeous gems and jewelry? You bet! Some of the most gorgeous. We’ll continue our look at the jewels in Britain’s Victoria & Albert Museum, among some other rare treasures usually hidden from the public eye.

6. Art? Check! Paintings and sculptures and fans—oh my!

7. Unusual Artifacts? Certainly. I’ve got a really odd one this week.

8. A Gratuitous Bertie Dog Picture? That’s not up to me, of course. But, Bertie has assured me that he’s willing to insert himself into another grand work of art.

9. Classic cinema? I’ve got two wonderful films coming this week.

10. Rare antique photos? You bet! And, some nifty frames, too.

11. Visits with two great celebrities who really work hard to make a difference? Two of your favorites!

12. A look at contemporary exhibits that are keeping the spirit of creativity alive and well? Sure thing!

13. Our favorite puppet fellow, Mr. Punch? As always, we’ll take a look at Mr. Punch’s influence on the arts and humanities.

14. The Treat of the Week? It wouldn't be a good week without one of my mother's amazing desserts! This week's offering will be really grand.

15. A Music Hall favorite? You'll find your feet tapping on Saturday!

16. And much, much more? Well, yes, there's always more!

So, there you have it. There’s a lot coming this week. I’m quite excited about all of it. Here’s wishing everyone a fantastic week!

Reminder: Punch’s Cousin will Return on Monday

As Punch’s Cousin reached three hundred chapters last week, the story continued with some exciting twists. Just as Mr. Punch and Robert decided to involve the New Orleans police in their efforts to retrieve the baby, Colin, they were interrupted by the arrival of Gerard and Arthur. This alone would have been enough of a problem, but Arthur was ailing. It wasn’t just a common cold that had overtaken Arthur, he had contracted the Yellow Fever. Despite their hatred for the man, Marjani, Punch and Robert took Arthur in so that they might help him die with some dignity.

While they watched Arthur suffer, Gerard began to realize that he wanted more out of life than the existence of crime he shared with Arthur. Punch encouraged Gerry to improve himself and offered his help. Meanwhile, Arthur seemed eager to make a deathbed confession, but as the man rattled off a tale of being controlled by the Duchess of Fallbridge, Mr. Punch doubted his veracity.

Little did Punch and Robert know, but the child they sought was actually at Marie Laveau’s house along with Iolanthe, Ulrika and Barbara Allen. As Charles tried to free Barbara from Marie’s clutches, a fire broke out. Barbara took the child and ran. Charles tried to convince Barbara to return her son to Mr. Punch and Robert, but Barbara would not be deterred. After Ulrika carried Charles’ wounded brother, Giovanni, to safety and Iolanthe gave up on the whole mess and left, Marie managed to extinguish the fire, sending Louis to search for Barbara. Marie was correctly convinced that Barbara had fled to the St. Louis Cathedral. What will Barbara do as Louis closes in on them? We’ll find out this week.

Furthermore, how will Marie deal with the unexpected death of Nellie who had been found deceased after the fire? Nellie’s death will cause a host of unexpected complications for New Orleans’ Voodoo Queen. And, Punch and Robert have their hands full as Arthur continued to expire in addition to some further complication as they search for Colin.

All this, plus, Adrienne and Robert have a terrible scare that will prove to have far-reaching consequences and Ulrika and Giovanni form an unholy alliance.

Thanks to all of you have been reading Punch’s Cousin since it started over three hundred chapters ago. The upcoming chapters will continue to excite and enthrall you.

Card of the Day: The Marriage of the Duke of Kent

The fifth child and fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary, Prince George, The Duke of Kent never had aspirations to ascend the throne, knowing that his elder siblings (especially, as thought at the time, his eldest brother “David,” later King Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor) would take his father’s place. George was a complicated fellow with a taste for parties and living a fast-paced lifestyle, much to the chagrin of his mother, Mary of Teck, who was always shocked when her children didn’t display the same sensibilities that she held dear.

In 1934, Prince George married Princess Marina of Greece. The marriage—which was also a rather complicated pairing—produced three children, and ended with the Duke’s tragic and early death in a plane crash.

Their marriage is depicted in a card produced for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary by Wills’s Cigarette Company.

The reverse of the card reads:

THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF KENT


Not since the Coronation had so many Royal guests been in London as graced the wedding of the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina of Greece at Westminster Abbey on November 29th, 1934. The event produced the most brilliant week the Capital has enjoyed since the War, and among the most signal demonstrations of affection the Royal House has known. London's uproarious greetings followed the Duke and Duchess of Kent as they left Paddington-where they are her seen-for Himley Hall in Staffordshire, and crowds waved continuously to the speeding train. From Birmingham, the way to the Hall lay under bowers of roses and was illuminated by torches.

This video shows a series of photos from the life of the Duke of Kent and his family.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: An Antique Zither, 1860

Alpine Zither
1860-1867
Franz Lehner, Prague
The Victoria & Albert Museum

When Stalking the Belle Époque began just over a year ago, I shared images of two antique musical instruments in my collection: an autoharp and a psaltery—both in the zither family. The zither has been around for centuries and has been an important part of both musical and art history. A particular strain, the Alpine zither, was developed by one Johan Petzmayer (1803 - 1884) in Munich, Germany, during the 1820s. This type of zither was played on a table by pressing on the five highest strings with a fretted finger board (operated by the left hand) and plucking alternating strings with the thumb and index finger of the right hand.

Here’s an example of an Alpine Zither from the Victoria and Albert Museum. This particular model was made by Franz Lehner (1801 - 1878). Lehner was a violin maker from Prague. He displayed this attractive instrument at the Paris exhibition of 1867.