Mastery of Design: The Hands and Palm Trees Intaglio, 200 BCE

Intaglio
Rome, c. 200 BCE
The Victoria & Albert Museum

I always wonder who wore these pieces of jewelry, especially these ancient examples whose original owners are typically unknown. This was a jewel which was full of meaning and sentiment. To whom did it belong? How much did it mean to him or her?

Made around 200 BCE, this ring is set with an intaglio which was likely carved in Rome. The intaglio of clasped hands above a branch of palm is carved into translucent orange-red carnelian. The design is a heraldic device known as the “fede.” This image of two hands joined together was a popular symbol for wedding rings, however, such rings were exchanged between friends, and even between captains of armies and nations to show fidelity.

Above and below the hands, the words “Sesichoros” and “Eros” have been inscribed. The setting of the ring is silver which was later gilt, likely in the early Nineteenth Century. It was acquired by the South Kensington Museum (now the V&A) and first exhibited in 1871. 

Unusual Artifacts: A Straw Marquetry Bellows, 1770

Bellows, c. 1770
French in the Chinoiserie Style
Straw marquetry on a wooden frame.
The Victoria & Albert Museum

A bellows such as this would have been used to maintain a fire by puffing air into it in order to add oxygen, encouraging it to burn more fiercely.

This bellows was made in 1770 as part of a suite of decorative, but useful items, designed for use in a fashionable “Chinese”-style interior.  The scene, in the popular Chinoiserie style, depicts two men in loose robes and long moustaches holding a parasol and a cymbal. 

This is a work of straw marquetry—a technique which developed  in France between circa 1760 and 1830. The technique was achieved with straw which was split and flattened, then glued into place on thin paper on which the design had been drawn. This paper was then glued to a wooden carcass, which was usually covered first with a thicker paper. Color would be added to the surface, and then varnished to achieve the glossy appearance of marquetry.

Straw marquetry was most often used for small objects like this bellows, but sometimes, larger pieces of furniture were decorated in this way.  However, because the straw work is very fragile, it is very rare for pieces to survive in good condition.

Treat of the Week: The Most of Christmas Past

Ah! Christmas… It means many things to many people. For me, beyond images of mangers, stars and sparkling trees, Christmas means food. Now, as you all know, my mother treats me and Bertie to a beautiful meal once a week when we visit her and my father. But, on Christmas (and New Year’s Day and Eve), the food is at the very height of its gloriousness. 

So, this week, and next week, for the “Treat of the Week,” we’ll be taking a look back at our sumptuous holiday feasts. It was a grand end to 2012, I’ll tell you! This is especially fitting since the diet has now begun so I won’t be wearing that “grand end” for the rest of the year. I will say that I loved every bite and my motto was, whenever asked if I wanted to eat something, “I want everything I can get.” So, let’s see what there was to get. 

You’ve all already seen the cookies. Oh, the cookies! Lovely, wonderful cookies. But, there was so much more…

On Christmas Eve, we started with a breakfast of homemade scones and scrambled eggs. 

And, that evening, we began the celebration with a wonderful pasta al forno with a sauce of cream, asiago cheese, Romano cheese, mozzarella, parmigiano, fontina, ricotta, Gorgonzola, tomato pureé, cream, basil, and scallions which is then baked to bubbly, gooey perfection. We each had our own personalized antipasto to go with it. This is our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, and I always look forward to it.  This year, we added mulled cider to the mix, and it was quite tasty.

Cookies followed.

And, then it snowed. 

Typically, our Christmas tradition begins thusly--a large Italian feast starts of the festivities. This is a nod to our Italian heritage. In case you hadn't guessed, "Crisalli" is an Italian name. Christmas Day, however, we indulge in a traditional English feast--not because we're English, but because we are Anglophiles. This will come as no surprise to regular readers of this site.

So, on Christmas Day, we stuffed ourselves with herbed prime rib and Yorkshire puddings (one of my favorite things in the world) garnished with a luxurious gravy and whipped cream infused with horseradish. Gorgeous! This is accompanied by roasted potatoes and petite, buttered Brussels Sprouts.  Lovely, fluffy homemade biscuits were an ideal companion to the meal.

Both nights, we open crackers and wear our paper crowns despite the fact that the sound bothers Bertie and he has to be coaxed back into the dining room. 

And, so, once Bertie was soothed and convinced we weren't shooting one another, we sliced into this year's Christmas Cottage Cake.

This ginger spice pound cake, in the form of a snow-covered cottage is painstakingly decorated by my mother who takes great care with it--down to ensuring that each of the four trees are trimmed with little icing ornaments. Each year, one or more of you will always ask if my mom is going to make the “cottage cake,” so, we thought of all of you as we ate it. And, we laughed…because you can’t have any. Okay, I’m kidding about the laughing bit. 

We had a wonderful time and , as usual, we are far too much. But, as the song says, “Christmas Comes But Once a Year.” And, so, I’m gonna get all that I can.

Next week, you'll get a look at our New Year's festivities.  And, I will continue to drink water and lemon and very small portions...

Gifts of Grandeur: A Footed Plateau, 1866-1867

Footed Plateau
France, 1866-1867
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This tazza, or footed plateau, is comprised of moulded earthenware glazed in brilliant blue and painted with enamels with a scene of a female figure holding a daisy. It is inscribed, “A la Belle Marquerite” in the center, and “soi toujours la confidante de nos amours a Marguerite.” Something about always being the confidante of her loves, is Marguerite. Or maybe something about pudding. You decide.

Made in Paris, this sumptuous tazza is the work of Joseph-Théodore Deck (1823-1891). Deck was born in Guebwiller, Alsace, and apprenticed to a traditional stove-making firm in Strasbourg. He would later study in other towns along Germany and Austria, settling in Paris around 1851 when he was appointed as overseer for the Dumas stove and tile firm.

In 1855 Deck launched his own studio and, later, even, his own retail shop, with the aid of his brother, Xavier. The Deck Brothers commissioned a host of well-known painters of the day to provide designs for their wares, and, often to paint them in their own hand. This tazza was painted by Emil Auguste Reiber (1826-1893). Joseph Deck was especially praised for his innovative glazes. He’d spent years researching glazing and color techniques of the handsome ceramics of the Middle and Far East. Just three years before his death, he was appointed as Director of the National Manufactory at Sèvres.

It has something of a "That Girl" vibe, too.  yes?

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 226

Chapter 226:

Ammunition


“Pardon the interruption, Your Grace.” Speaight smiled as he entered the morning room.

“Good morning, Speaight.” Punch replied.

“Sir, I wanted to inform you that the new driver has arrived.”

“Very good,” Punch nodded. “Show him to his rooms in the mews and, if you would, please, make sure he’s fed.”

“Certainly, Your Grace.”

“Pity he’s got to go all the way back to where he’s just come from in a few hours.” Robert smiled.

“Yes, Doctor.” Speaight answered.

“Oh, Speaight, what’s the man’s name?” Punch asked.

“Blake, Sir.”

“Has he a Christian name?” Punch asked.

“I believe it’s Alonzo, Sir.”

“Thank you, Speaight.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Speaight nodded before exiting the room.

“What’s this?” Lennie asked. “We’ve a new driver?”

“I’m sorry, Lennie.” Mr. Punch replied, “I thought I’d told you. After the trouble with Hutchinson, Her Majesty offered one of the young men from her stables. He’s been training to be a coachman and, according to the Queen, he’s quite good. It’s only until we find a permanent replacement for Hutchinson.”

“How kind her Majesty is.” Lennie smiled.

“Quite.” Robert agreed. He looked up at Gertrude, “I do wish you’d try to eat something.”

“I’ve had some kidneys.” Lady Lensdown replied.

“No, you ain’t!” Mr. Punch said quickly, “You only pushed ‘em ‘round your plate. Terrible, terrible. You gotta…” he stopped speaking, his face blanching paper-white as he realized what he’d just done.

“My companion is very passionate about his food, Lady Lensdown.” Robert interrupted. “Sometimes, he loses he senses completely.”

“Yes, forgive me.” Punch said slowly, careful to pronounce each word as Julian might.

Lady Lensdown looked confused.

“It’s a shame that my brother isn’t on the stage,” Lennie spoke up. “He’s such a way with…with…”

“Mimicry,” Robert suggested.

“Yes, that’s it.” Lennie nodded, hastily taking a sip of her tea. “No doubt, you were reacting as you thought Mrs. Pepper might.”

“Yes.” Punch sighed. “Our cook is always one to…” He paused, and frowned. “I can’t continue with this foolishness. Not in me own house. I just won’t do it.”

“Punch,” Lennie shook her head. “Perhaps now isn’t the time.”

“Lennie, dear sister,” Robert smiled. “It’s the only time. As he said, this is his house.”

“Yes.” Lennie nodded.

“Lady Lensdown…Gertrude,” Punch began. “We’ve shared lots of things these past hours. We’ve learned much of one ‘nother. And, we like each other, I think. I always thought you a kind and just lady.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Thank you.”

“Well, then, you oughta know that I’m…different. I’m not just the Ninth Duke of Fallbridge. This is his body, and this is his face and his clothes. But, I’m Punch. It ain’t just an affectionate name, it ain’t. It’s my name. All folk got one bein’ in ‘em. Sometimes that bein’ is good and sometimes he ain’t. But, some of us, we got more than one.”

“All people have different aspects to them. Different facets,” Gertrude nodded. “Different parts which are required at different times.”

“That’s true.” Punch answered. “I sure got ‘em. Only in most folk, one o’ them parts is the one what’s in control all the time and the others ain’t as…well…fully formed.”

“I understand.”

“See, in some folk—and there’s more than just me, it seems—there’s more than one person—fully formed—inside one body. You met Julian, course. But…I ain’t Julian. I’m Mr. Punch.”

“Your Grace,” Gertrude smiled. “I’m not surprised by this and you needn’t say more. Whatever you’re called, and however you speak, you’re still a kind and brilliant man—loved and respected by everyone from the lowest scullery maid to the very Queen herself. That you felt you should alter your natural behavior to spare me some sort of shock is only testament to your true, generous nature.”

“Oh.” Punch smiled. “Well, I say, that went better than it usually does. Thank you.”

“I completely understand why you feel the need to shield yourself from most, but with me, Sir, I’d hope you can feel free to be as you are.” Gertrude continued.

“That’s kind of ya,” Punch nodded.

The sound of Speaight entering the room ended the conversation.

“Again, I’m sorry to intrude, Your Grace.” Speaight said. “However, there’s a letter for you.”

“Thank you.” Punch took the missive from the silver salver upon which Speaight offered it.

Punch held the envelope up for Robert to see.

“The hand tells me it’s what we’ve been expecting.” Robert winked.

“What is it, brother?” Lennie asked.

“The ammunition we need.” Punch giggled. “A letter from someone from whom I’d never thought I’d wish to have a letter.”

“Who?” Lennie asked.

“Johnny Donnan.” Punch grinned.



Did you miss Chapters 1-225 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 227.

 

The Home Beautiful: A Stove Tile, 1561

Stove Tile
Germany, 1561
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Today is one of those days when my Internet connection is being apoplectic and deciding at random points to cut out and make my router blink and flash as if it’s having a seizure. So, forgive the slowness of my communications today. Frankly, I might as well be in the Nineteenth Century. I often wish that were the case. But, then, I remember how much I like antibiotics.

Speaking of times when people could die from a splinter, how about the Sixteenth Century?

That’s when this nifty tile was made in Germany—around 1561. These kinds of tiles were made to enclose wood-burning stoves. These ties were usually rectangular with charming relief scenes on them. This one, for example depicts “Faith,” and it’s from a series of tiles made in Köln to represent the Virtues and Liberal Arts. The earthenware tile shows Faith holding a cross and goblet, which seems appropriate. It is neatly adorned with colored glazes.


 

Object of the Day: Buy Peoria Stoves

She’s looking to her right with an expression that says, “Isn’t my costume a bit…well…Seventeenth Century.” 

She pauses and breaks her gaze.

"What?"  The artist asks.

"Well...it's just that this...collar.  It's rather...out-moded."

“No, no…” The artist must have said. “It’s fine.”

“What’s this drawing for?” She asked.

“I dunno, canned meat…or…I dunno. Kettles or something.”

“Should I smile?”

“Not a lot.” The artist replies.

“Are you sure I’m not over-dressed for kettles?”

“Maybe it’s stoves. I dunno.” The artist replied. “Now, stay still.”

“Oh, if it’s stoves. Then, this is perfect. The hat’s my own. Do you like it?”

“Stay still!”



Above this decidedly over-dressed woman, we see the words:

Buy PEORIA STOVES.

MANUFACTURED BY

CULTER & PROCTOR STOVE CO.

Peoria, Ills.

And, on the reverse, we see…

THE PEORIA OAK

FOR SOFT COAL AND WOOD,

IS THE

PEERLESS LEADER

OF ITS CLASS

     The fire pot for coal is double and heavy. Single Fire
Pot and separate Wood Grate for wood.
     Fire Pot is LOW DOWN, retaining and radiating the heat
near the floor, where it is needed.
     The base Section is ornamental and ventilated, distributing
heat from its entire surface.
     Large deep Ash Pan in base rendering stove cleanly and
convenient in service.
     Mounted with extra heavy, best quality Boiler Iron Drum.
     Every joint made gas and air tight—preventing leakage.
     Check Draft Registers in doors and collar, giving perfect
control over fire.
     Grate shakes from outside, with solid center pull dump.
     Spun nickel and Bronze Urn.
     Full Nickel Trimmed.      Polished Edges.



I do worry about having a solid center pull dump. Ah, the days when cooking was truly, truly dangerous.