Object of the Day, Museum Edition: A Meissen Parrot, 1742

The famous Meissen modeller, J.J. Kändler was recorded in historical annals as having visited the menagerie housed at the royal Saxon hunting palace of Moritzburg briefly after joining the celebrated porcelain factory in 1731.

Kändler took great care in copying from life the rare and unusual creatures that were housed in the menagerie. The menagerie's magnificent aviaries afforded him an opportunity to produce models of all kinds of parrots, parakeets and cockatoos among the more vicious birds of prey which had been collected.

In the Eighteenth Century, exotic birds were admired not only for their exotic beauty, but their rarity. Such birds could only be seen in zoos or in the collections of very wealthy families. Therefore, these animals were considered symbols of extreme wealth. Rare birds were often included in artistic compositions to indicate vast riches and the wonders of the world.

So, it's only natural that Meissen would encourage Kändler to produce figures of the birds he had studied. Here we see one of these endeavors in this hard-paste porcelain parrot. It is very realistically modeled as it sits perched on a white tree stump with applied leaves and nuts or seeds. Its glorious plumage is painted in green, yellow, blue, puce and red enamels.

Gratuitous Bertie Dog Picture: Bertie's Goat

"So, are we gonna eat that thing or...?"

Image: Count Brühl's Goat, Carl Wilhelm Anton Seiler, 1892, The Victoria & Albert Museum.

Mastery of Design: The Spencer Perceval Ring, 1812

Mourning Ring
1812
The Victoria & Albert Museum

A gold mourning ring, enameled in black, this jewel is inscribed on the outside RT.HON: SPENCER. PERCEVAL OB:11.MAY.1812 .AE.49. Inside, it is inscribed, “died by the hand of an Assassin. It bears London hallmarks for 1812-13 and the Maker's mark “SG.”

This ring commemorates Spencer Percevel, who was Prime Minister from 1809 to 1812 and the only British Prime Minister to ever have been assassinated. Percevel was shot in the lobby of the House of Commons by a man named John Bellingham who blamed his financial problems on a casual remark made by Perceval.

History's Runway: A Gentleman's "Teddy Boy" Ensemble, 1951

Suit, 1951
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This three piece suit is made up of a single-breasted jacket, waistcoat and pants of dark grey herring bone wool. The jacket features three buttons, and an inside pocket. It is lined in dark gray twill rayon. The trousers taper to turn up and have buttons for braces. The waistcoat is single breasted with six buttons, stepped lapels and four pockets. It is lined with striped silk and has a dark gray silk back. It was meant to be worn with a bowler hat and waisted overcoat with a velvet collar. This was the epitome of men’s fashion in England in the early 1950s and was adopted as the preferred style of dress by a particular group of fashion-conscious men known as “The Edwardians” because of this throwback to the styles of the early Twentieth Century when Edward VII was reigning. These fashionable men were also known as “Teddy Boys.”


This particular suit was made for a young man in 1951 who ordered it to be an exact copy of one worn by Winston Churchill in 1911 at the end of the Edwardian Era and the accession of King George V.

Antique Image of the Day: A "Vanity Fair" Cover by "Spy", 1900

Winston
"Spy," 1900
The Victoria & Albert Museum

We’ve talked about “Spy” before. The son of two of my favorite artists (E.M. Ward and Henrietta Ward), Sir Leslie Ward used the name, “Spy” when he created his famous caricatures for the cover of “Vanity Fair.”


Here, we see a print entitled “Winston” depicting Winston Churchill, which graced “Vanity Fair” in September of 1900. This is one of a series of portraits published by “Vanity Fair” under the title “Men of the Day.”

Punch’s Cousin, Chapter 390

“What?” Edward Cage spat. “She’s feverish! She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”


“Yes, she does.” Robert smiled. “Do you see, Officer?”

“I’m beginning to.” The officer replied gravely.

“Tell them!” Edward snapped at his ailing wife. “Tell them that you gave birth to the boy!”

Corliss Cage was silent.

“How could you do this to me?” Edward roared.

“Mrs. Cage,” Robert began gently. “From where did you get the child?”

“Iolanthe…” Corliss rasped.

“She has no idea what she’s saying!” Edward moaned nervously. He reached for Corliss’ throat, but Robert and the officer restrained him.

“We bought him…” Corliss sputtered.

“Is it true, Mr. Cage? Did you buy the child?” The officer asked, releasing Edward.

His face red with rage, Edward Cage groaned, “Yes! I bought him!”

“We’ll be leaving now,” Robert nodded.

“Not so fast,” The officer stopped Robert.

“Why not?”

“If Mr. Cage paid money for the child, it seems to me that the child is his property.”

Edward’s face registered surprise, and, then, he began to grin.

“What are you saying?” Robert asked. “Are you suggesting that selling a human being is legal?”

“I don’t sound so good when you say it.” The officer shrugged. “But, Mr. Cage paid for a service and for goods and those goods belong to him.”

“A child is not ‘goods.’” Robert snarled. “Though I shouldn’t be surprised! This comes from a man who works for a government which freely supports the sale of human beings into painful lives!”

“You need to leave my home,” Edward Cage hissed.

“I’m taking that child,” Robert said firmly.

“Try it, Sir,” The officer shook his head, “and you’ll end up in prison.”

Meanwhile, downstairs, Mr. Punch handed his nephew to Adrienne who cradled him while Cecil and Punch spoke to the younger officer.

“When me chum comes back, you’re gonna see that that boy is mine.”

“I don’t want an argument, Sir.” The Officer frowned. “We’re just trying to uphold the law.”

“The law?” Cecil sighed. “Or are you trying to line your own pockets? How much did Mr. Cage pay you?”

“You’re pressing your luck, Sir.” The officer warned.

“Is he?” Punch asked as he paced the foyer, pausing at a sideboard laden with bronze sculptures. He nodded a greeting to the figures.

“He’s a loon, ain’t he?” The Officer laughed.

“He’s a nobleman, and I’ll thank you not to speak ill of him.” Cecil squinted.

“Look at him,” The officer grinned. “He’s talking to the statues.”

Mr. Punch picked up one of the figures and studied it, pausing to look up at the officer. “They got more of worth to say, they do, than you got.”

“I see why Mr. Cage didn’t want him holding the baby.” The officer said to Cecil. “Still, I wonder if the two of you ain’t much better.” The officer looked toward the sideboard and noticed that Punch was no longer standing there. He felt the blow to his head as he slumped to the floor and the room went black.

Mr. Punch dropped the bloody bronze figurine next to the officer’s body.

“Come with me!” Punch said quickly, opening the door as Adrienne and Cecil looked on in horror. “Come on!”



Did you miss Chapters 1-389? If so, you can read them here.

Obscure Book of the Day: Winston Churchill

Here’s another Pitkin Guide. It chronicles the long and interesting life of Winston Churchill and is titled, “Tribute to Churchill: His life, His passing. His State funeral..” This one’s easy to date since it includes photos from Churchill’s funeral which are said to be “recent,” thereby making the publication date 1965.

Among the usual images of Churchill looking grim amongst other politicians and at the scene of battles, it is also peppered with casual images of a jolly Prime Minister with celebrities, Royalty and, as a young man, with his bride. It’s an interesting look into the life of one of the most famous men in the world.

Let’s take a look inside…