Mastery of Design: The Revelstoke Bloodstone Box, 1910

Bloodstone, Gold and Diamond Box, c. 1910
Given to HM Queen Mary by Lord Revelstoke, 1910
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

This handsome circular box is crafted of bloodstone with shaped sides. The center of the cover is surmounted by a chased gold mount depicting, on a field of flowers, Cupid. The outer edge is set with an undulating band of brilliant-cut diamonds intertwined with an enamel foliate border. The hinges and other mounts are reeded gold.

The box was a birthday gift to Queen Mary, consort of King George V, presented on May 26, 1910 by Lord Revelstoke.

Print of the Day: An Etched Frontispiece from Mr. Punch's Pocketbook, 1872

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Frontispiece from "Mr. Punch's Pocketbook"
Charles Keene, 1872
The British Museum

Next Friday, you’ll be seeing another of my Christmas gifts—“Mr. Punch’s Pocketbook” from 1860. So, I thought this week, I’d show you a later example of this pocket-sized almanac to give you a sense of the object. “Mr. Punch’s Pocketbook” was the iPad mini of the Nineteenth Century. It contained everything a gentleman traveling by train could ever need from the names of the Royal Family to the cost of postage. It even was filled with beautiful illustrations, stories, jokes and articles which would keep a gent entertained.

So, today, let’s look at this one from 1872. This example lives at the British Museum. All of Mr. Punch’s Pocketbooks included a frontispiece which unfolded into a trifold scene. In this case, we have an illustration by Charles Keene (1823-1872) which depicts “A Matrimonial Hurlingham” This was a pigeon-shooting match wherein eligible bachelors are the pigeons, and the young ladies shoot. Fair enough. Cupid is assisting the ladies, waiting nearby on the right with a string in his hand to deploy a trap.

Even in 1872, each of this lovely frontispieces was hand-colored with watercolor and touched with white gouache.

I look forward to sharing my own 1860 Pocketbook to you next week. I just have to figure out how best to reproduce it without harming it.

Mr. Punch's Puzzles: The Riddle of the Week

Once, again, Mr. Punch, with my help, is offering up a true Victorian riddle.  The first person to answer correctly--by posting in the comments--will receive public congratulations.  Some week, I may offer a nifty prize from our online store.  (Why do I always say "our" online store, as if I'm more than one person?).  But, this week, I don't feel like it.

So, here's this week's riddle.  We ask that you don't Google the answer.  Mr. Punch would not find that sporting at all.  Give it a shot and see what you can come up with.  Here we go... No cheating...

And, Angelo, this one is especially for you.

What coat has no buttons?

And, the answer is...

A COAT OF PAINT

Laughter ensues.  Shawn and, then, by agreeing, Angelo, offered the "correct" answer.  Well done, gentlemen.  As for the rest of you, if you get any more clever, we'll have to bottle your genius and sell it to less witty people.  Come back next Friday for another of Mr. Punch's Puzzles!

Mr. Punch wants you to always know “the way to do it,” so why not check out our “That’s the way to do it!” products which are available only at our online store.  

Friday Fun: Emanuele Luzzati’s “Pulcinella,” 1973

Regular readers will have seen this short film before.  I shared this with you in 2010, but I love it so much, I thought that, it was time to bring it out again, especially since this year marks the film's fortieth anniversary (and, at the end of this year, mine, too).

Emanuele Luzzati (1921-2007) was one of the foremost Italian animators of his time. A painter, production designer, and film director, Luzzati was inspired by classical theatrical works and music. His short animated film,Pulcinella, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1973. The film shows a scene of perennial trickster, Pulcinella (Mr. Punch’s Italian predecessor) as he struggles with his wife, gets into a little tangle with the law, and embarks on a wild, Punch-like, fantastical spree. The film is set to the music of Il Turco in Italia by Rossini.


This really is quite lovely and charming…

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 224

Chapter 224 
Breakfast 


“Sir?” Charles smiled as Mr. Punch wriggled while the valet attempted to tie his sable-colored cravat.

“Sorry.” Punch stood still.

“Which pin would His Grace like in his cravat today?” Charles asked.

“Breakfast.” Punch muttered.

“Your Grace?” Charles tilted his head to one side, trying not to laugh.

“I said, ‘breakfast,’” Punch replied with a hint of defeat in his voice. “Breakfast, breakfast, breakfast, breakfast. A lovely breakfast of sausages and boiled eggs and savory mushrooms and beans.” Mr. Punch tapped his feet on the ground.

“You shall have all of that, Sir, and more, I’m sure.” Charles nodded.

“Oh.” Mr. Punch inhaled. “Good.”

“The pin, your Grace?” Charles began.

“Dog Toby wants his breakfast, too.” Punch said brightly, glancing at the terrier who lounged on one of the plush chairs by the hearth.

“Dog Toby’s already had his breakfast. He had some fine mutton when I took him out for his morning routine.” Charles answered.

“Did he?” Punch smiled. “Then, he wants seconds.”

Charles allowed himself to chuckle even though his thoughts weighed upon him heavily. He walked over to fetch the Duke’s jewel case and presented it to Mr. Punch. “Perhaps Your Grace would like to select his own cravat pin.”

“Sparkly,” Punch answered. “Dr. Halifax and I must go to the palace this afternoon for tea.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“The Prince wants to present the blue diamond to Her Majesty.” Punch continued. “You know, that were me pa’s diamond.”

“I know, Sir.” Charles nodded.

“Then, we gotta talk with Prince Albert ‘bout them plans for the South Kensington Museum. And, Her Majesty wants to speak with us.”

“I’m sure you’’ll do brilliantly, Your Grace.”

“With all this horrid stuff here…” Punch sighed. “I’m gonna have to rely on you, Charles, to keep them women from actin’ rashly. How I hate to put more on your shoulders.”

“I don’t mind, Sir.” Charles answered, considering, for a moment, telling the Duke of his encounter with Lady Constance. He decided it best to wait until the doctor was also present.

“Lennie’s gonna help,” Punch sighed. “She’s promised to keep them distracted, but, that can’t be easy what with their babies missin’. Should Colin be taken, I’d be inconsolable.”

“I’ve no doubt of it. We all would, Your Grace.”

“Oh, my pin.” Punch said quickly. “Her Majesty always comments favorably on this one.” He reached into the case and removed a stickpin surmounted by an enamel profile of a woman, her diadem set with diamonds and rubies.

“Allow me, Sir.” Charles said gently, taking the pin and affixing it to the cravat.

“Thank you,” Punch replied airily. “Now, breakfast. Breakfast, breakfast. I wanna get down there before the ladies. You say Dr. Halifax is ready?”

“He’s in the nursery with Master Colin, Sir.”

“Right.” Punch said. He looked at Dog Toby, “C’mon, Chum. Time for your seconds.”

The terrier looked up and stretched before jumping from the chair and following Mr. Punch.

Leaving his chamber, Mr. Punch wondered why Charles seemed to be following him to the nursery.

“Was there somethin’ else, Charles?” Punch paused, turning around.

“I had hoped to speak with Your Grace and Dr. Halifax for a moment, please.” Charles replied.

“Oh?” Punch raised an eyebrow. “Certainly, Charlie. Come with me and Dog Toby.”

As they turned the corner in the passage, they stopped in their tracks as Lady Constance came toward them.

“Good morning, Lady Hamish.” Mr. Punch said politely. “I thought that we should speak this morning about your situation. Dr. Halifax and I spent a good part of the night working out a plan which may serve you and Lady Lensdown quite well.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.” She nodded. “May I borrow your man for a moment?”

Punch looked at Charles. “What do you require? Surely Violet can assist you.”

“I was sending your boy, Georgie, to my home to fetch a trunk for me. I’ll need Charles to help him carry it in.”

“Of course, in a few moments.” Punch smiled

“I really do need it now, Your Grace.” Lady Constance replied.

“I shall go at once with Georgie.” Charles said.

“Charles…” Punch began. “You had said…”

“I beg your pardon, Your Grace.” Charles shook his head. I shall speak with you at your convenience before you and Dr. Halifax depart for the palace.”

Punch nodded.

“If you’ll follow me, Charles,” Lady Constance said with relief, “I shall give you your instructions.”

Punch watched as Charles followed Lady Constance.

“Breakfast,” he muttered as Toby wagged his tail. “That, Chum, is not the breakfast I’d planned.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-223 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 225.

Drawing of the Day: The Caged Pope and the King of Naples, 1848

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"The Caged Pope and the King of Naples"
Antonio Masutti, 1848
The British Museum

Drawn by North Italian artist Antonio Masutti in 1848, this sketch depicts Ferdinand II King of Naples with the “caged” Pope in Gaeta. A revolutionary figure stands behind them. 1848 The graphite drawing is one of 106 satirical sketches related to the Roman journal "Il Don Pirlone".

Accompanying materials state that the cage contains Pope Pius IX as a parrot while the King of Naples trains the parrot, using a barrel organ so that the pontiff will speak as the King does.

The King is dressed as Pulcinella, presumably to indicate his mischievous intentions.

Object of the Day: "Punch and Toby," a Children's Book

I received this beautiful book from my parents for Christmas. Since English books before 1970 often didn’t list a copyright date, it’s difficult to say when the book was published, but it’s the work of London’s Juvenile Productions, Ltd., and likely was written and illustrated in the 1940s. Neither the author nor illustrator is named.

The illustrations are truly stunning. I wish I could have reproduced all of them for you, but I didn’t want to risk damaging the book by opening it wide enough to scan all of the pages.

Entitled, “Punch and Toby,” the story explains that Mr. Punch lives in a steam-lined caravan and travels to seaside towns to entertain children. Along the way, he meets a stray dog and decides to call him, “Toby.” After being given a bath (which Punch calls the worst part) and dinner (which Punch calls the best part), Dog Toby is Punch’s friend for life and they travel about together, riding on roundabouts, visiting the marketplaces, and putting on their show.

I’m especially tickled that Punch greets Toby initially with, “Hullo, Chum”—just like our Mr. Punch/the Duke of Fallbridge from “Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square.”