Mastery of Design: A Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1930

Brooch
Platinum, Gold, Yellow and White Diamonds,
Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires
Van Cleef & Arpels, 1930
The Victoria & Albert Museum

We’ve seen the transition of botanical-themed jewelry through the ages from Georgian spray ornaments to enameled toad-stools. This was the next step.


Made in 1930, in Paris, this stunning brooch of platinum and gold is set with baguette and brilliant-cut white and yellow diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies. A creation from luxury jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels, this is the height of 1930’s chic combined with the delicacy of the Nineteenth Century.

Reverse

Antique Image of the Day: Clementina, Lady Hawarden, 1864

Clementina, Lady Hawarden and Companion
South Kensington Gardens, 1864
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Isn’t this an odd photo? It dates to 1864 and was taken at the Horticultural Gardens at South Kensington. In left profile, we have Clementina, Lady Hawarden she’s donned fancy dress as a jester or harlequin. Next to her is an unidentified young female companion. Who is this woman? Some believe her to be Marion Lloyd, a close friend and cousin, and the daughter of Lady Hawarden's sister Mary Keith (Keithy) Lloyd. The young lady is dressed in a peasant costume. 

The photo was taken in a photography booth at the gardens.  That's a lot of leg for 1864.

Figure of the Day: Charlie Keith, 19th C.

Bronze Candlestick
Presented to Charlie Keith
London, Nineteenth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

You may remember Charlie Keith’s (1835-1895) from our September look at one of his costumes. This London clown was billed as “the Favourite Clown, Tumbler, Chair and Original Performer,” following in the footsteps of Joseph Grimaldi and his son. In fact, Keith based his white-faced look on Grimaldi’s, even adapting Grimadli’s wig-style, the “three bobble coiffure.” He was so successful that by 1868, he’d opened his own traveling circus. This figural bronze candlestick was presented to Keith in the late Nineteenth Century. The clown figure is likely based on Keith himself. The modeler is unknown.

The bronze is thought to have been given to Keith before his death in 1896. He died in Bury and was buried in Southport. I wonder why he wasn't buried in Bury.  That would have suited him better.

Treat of the Week: Pork Roast, Clove Cake and Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookies

We had quite a feast this weekend when Bertie and I visited my parents’ house. This pre-Thanksgiving treat began with a savory pork tenderloin with a sweet glaze, fresh peas and buttermilk mashed potatoes. I ate far more than I should have, but frankly, it was all so good, I couldn’t help myself. I’ve a special place in my heart for buttermilk mashed potatoes, so, I was quite pleased to return home with an extra serving or two. 

This week’s dessert was two-fold. First we had a handsome and tasty clove pound cake rich with the flavors of spice and raisins. I always like the look of a pound cake—all nicely dusted with confectioners’ sugar. But, then…oh my. My mother made one of my favorite kinds of cookies—her famous chocolate chip cookies with cherries and walnuts. Yum! So fond am I of these cookies, that years ago when I was writing children’s serials, I created a whole year-long sub-plot about them! 

I look at it like this—this treat was a practice run. I’m just getting in shape for Thursday!

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 194

Chapter 194
An Exhibition 


Prince Albert narrowed his eyes and glared at Punch and Robert who sat across from him in some small, dim, cold reception room in Buckingham Palace. For all his many visits to Buck House (both as Julian and as Mr. Punch), Punch had never seen that particular room and wondered if it was, perhaps, a room used only when the Prince Consort was displeased with something or someone.

“You’ve no doubt wondered why I’ve summoned you here today, Fallbridge.” Prince Albert glowered.

“No, Sir.” Punch responded—speaking as Julian. He wasn’t sure how his natural voice would be accepted by the Prince Consort. While Queen Victoria seemed to much prefer Punch’s manner to that of Julian and was surprisingly supportive of it, Punch was quite sure that Prince Albert would not be as generous about the Duke’s newfound informality.

“No?” Prince Albert growled.

“I know very well why Your Majesty has asked us to come this morning.” Punch said as pleasantly as he could.

“You’ve made a laughing stock of me.” Prince Albert spat.

Mr. Punch’s eyes widened slightly. “That was not my intention, Your Majesty.”

“I promised the organizers of the International Exhibition that they would receive three pieces from my personal jeweler, the very celebrated Duke of Fallbridge. And, yet, the deadline has passed us by and the Duke of Fallbridge has not provided me those pieces. I had to send jewels from Garrard’s to New York.” The Prince grumbled.

“My sincere apologies, Sir.” Mr. Punch nodded. “When Dr. Halifax and I sojourned to Aberdeenshire, we’d done so with the intention of allowing me ample time to finish my designs and send them to the goldsmith for production. However, we were beset with much tragedy and confusion. As I’m sure Your Majesty would, I had to focus all of my energy upon my family.”

The Prince Consort’s expression softened a bit. “Yes, I would.”

“Dr. Halifax and I discussed at depth last night just how disappointed Your Majesty must be.” Punch replied, looking to Robert for confirmation.

“We did, Your Majesty.” Robert nodded with ease though he had no idea what Punch was talking about.

The Prince Consort looked to Robert, for whom he had developed an obvious fondness, and his eyes flashed slightly. “Did you?”

“Yes, Sir.” Mr. Punch continued. “However, we concluded that the Americans really do not possess the sophistication to appreciate items that are not simply theatrical.”

“Go on,” The Prince replied.

“They don’t possess the depth of the British. We appreciate fineness while they look only at size. The larger and more overwrought the better. Therefore, in their estimation, I’m sure they’d consider the works of Garrard’s to be quite impressive. They’re sure to praise Your Majesty quite clever to have sent such specimens. Meanwhile, the subtlety of my work would , no doubt, be thought of as quite dull when viewed by American eyes.”

“This is true.” The Prince nodded. “Is this your thought, too, Dr. Halifax?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Robert replied quickly.

“Dr. Halifax and I did have an idea, however, which would serve to not only impress the empire, but also prove to exhibit Your Majesty’s fine tastes.” Punch expertly continued.

“Oh?”

“Of course, my late father was very much involved with Your Majesties in early discussion regarding the Museum of Manufactures. Your Majesty’s Great Exhibition was such a success that it only follows that a museum should be the next phase. I’m sure my father would have been quite pleased to have seen the brilliant exhibitions mounted at both Marlborough House and Somerset House to this end, and would have been so proud of Your Majesty’s idea for a new structure to house the impressive, growing collections. The newly proposed South Kensington Museum would offer an ideal forum for a jewelry exhibition. Your Majesty’s inherent appreciation for both the arts and sciences, after all, is evident in jewelry—using the treasures of the earth and man’s natural brilliance to create something wholly beautiful.”

“Yes.” The Prince nodded.

“Perhaps the South Kensington Museum could feature a permanent exhibit which we would suggest should be named for Your Majesty. This exhibit would feature jewels created in honor of Your Majesties and the little Royals. I would volunteer to not only design—with your Majesty’s considerable assistance—and orchestrate the manufacture of these jewels, but also oversee the machinations of staging the exhibit—a sparkling altar to the brilliance of British arts and sciences. The Prince Albert Jewellery Room.”

“I like it.”

“After all,” Robert spoke up bravely. “It would serve as an international beacon for anyone interested in the truly exceptional. It’s a much more fitting tribute to Your Majesties than a smudged glass case at some American fair.”

“Who would pay for this undertaking?” Albert asked.

“Well, Sir, I’m sure that I could donate a good many pieces and I’d be thrilled to provide gemstones from my own collection.” Punch answered coolly. “You could consider that my gift to the Empire. Furthermore, I’ve not doubt that Dr. Halifax and I could convince other peers and Society families to make contributions. Why, the Reverend Townshend alone would be able to provide a good many gems. If the Crown would make a small investment into the manufacture of the pieces, we would be able to keep the cost quite low.”

Robert smiled confidently.

“I find the idea intriguing.” Prince Albert sighed. “I shall discuss it with Her Majesty, the Queen.”

“I am your servant, Your Majesty,” Punch bowed his head.

The Prince rose, prompting Punch and Robert to do the same.

“You two are to wait here,” The Prince shook his head. “The Queen wishes to see you as well.”

“Oh, I’m so glad to know that, Your Majesty.” Punch nodded.

“Do not mention this scheme of yours to Her Majesty. I shall address the topic myself in my own time.”

“Of course, Sir.” Punch smiled.

“Good Day, Fallbridge.” Prince Albert said sharply. He looked to Robert and with a slightly softer tone added. “And, to you, Dr. Halfiax.”

With that, the Prince Consort strutted from the room.

Robert chuckled under his breath and whispered. “We didn’t discuss any of that, dear Punch. How on earth did you decide to suggest such a thing?”

“I knew he was gonna be angry,” Punch shrugged, replying in a hushed tone. “I knew we had to appeal to his vanity, we did.”

“You could have warned me first.” Robert laughed. “I wasn’t sure what to say.”

“Oh, you did real good, Chum.” Punch winked. “’Sides, I didn’t think of it ‘til just now.”

“You are too brilliant.” Robert shook his head.

“Only in the company I keep.” Punch smiled.

“I will be glad to see Her Majesty and thank her for her kindness in seeing that the house was looked after.” Robert continued.

“Coo!” Punch whispered, “I’d be happy to see anyone other than an angry German prince, but, yes, a visit with the Queen will do us both good.”

They noticed that one of the rigid footmen in attendance had opened the door to the chamber.

Standing, Punch and Robert prepared to receive their Queen.





Did you miss Chapters 1-193 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 195.

The Home Beautiful: The Chateau d'Ecouen Tile, 1542

Tin-glazed earthenware tile.
Rouen, France, 1542
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This earthenware tile looks like the sort made in the Nineteenth Century. When I was sifting through images for this week’s posts, I came upon this object and made a note to myself about the “jester tile from 1840.” But, this is no Victorian tile—it’s about three hundred years older than that. 

The tile was made in 1542 in Rouen, France of buff earthenware with a tin glaze. Image. It’s in remarkable shape for being from the Sixteenth Century. Painted with a pointy-eared jester, the tile is likely to be one of a series of similarly-painted tiles from the workshop of Masseot Abaquesne. Other tiles from that set—made for use in pavement at the Chateau d'Ecouen --bear the arms of Anne de Montmorency impaling those of his wife Madelaine of Savoy. 

It's believed that the jester tile is associated with this group from the Chateau d'Ecouen.

Object of the Day: A Reward of Merit

Click on image to tickle the jester.

How many of these were thrown away since 1880? It makes me sad to think that hundreds of these were likely discarded.

When I was in school, if I was given some “reward” for a job well done, I was presented with a pumpkin sticker or a gold star or some goofy, boring piece of paper with a scrolly border and “Certificate” written on it. I’d have much rather received something like this Nineteenth-Century “Reward of Merit” with its handsome chromolithograph. But, they weren’t handing out antique ephemera in the 1980s. If they had been, I’d even have tried tumbling in gym class.

The card simply says “Reward of Merit.” It was presented to one Jessie Alcorn from James G. White, teacher. I wonder what Jessie did so well. We’ll never know, but, obviously, it was an important enough achievement that Jessie and Jessie’s descendants saw fit to keep this handsome little certificate for well over a century (and then sell it). With its comic image of a jester, this certificate was likely purchased by the teacher as part of a package of other such cards. This one is marked at the bottom as being No. 2400. I’m sure the teacher has his choice of many different images. Here, we have a charming scene with a Punchinello-nosed bloke being tickled by a contortionist child. The jester playfully sticks out his tongue. I just love it!