Mastery of Design: The Shepherds and Goats Signet Ring, 200-100 BC

Intaglio Ring
Italy, 200-100 B.C.
The Victoria & Albert Museum

A vertically-positioned oval intaglio of brown-hued carnelian is the centerpiece of this ancient ring which nicely demonstrates the mastery of early Roman gem carving.

It’s thought that this ring was meant to represent a shepherd. The conclusion makes sense since it depicts a young man with a goat which, I’m guessing, represents his flock. It’s hard to carve a whole flock of goats onto a ring. Don’t let the fact that the young man is nude bother you.

Others suggest that since the fellow has no clothes on, he could be the god Mercury. I don’t know if I’d want to be a shepherd with no pants. So, Mercury is a good guess, too, especially since Mercury’s attribute is often a ram and he does tend to be shown wearing the sort of broad-brimmed hat favored by farmers and travelers.

Either way, the goat’s not too happy. Maybe he doesn’t like the pan flute. Goats probably don’t care for pipe music.

The ring was made in Italy circa 200-100 BC. Of course, it ended up in the collection of the Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend (1798-1868), who preferred collecting jewelry to being a clergyman. I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Antique Image of the Day: An Invitation to the Vauxhall Jubilee, 1786

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here, we see a printed ticket for the “Vauxhall Jubilee” of 1786.  This event was a celebration of Spring Gardens' history.  Spring Gardens, Vauxhall, were situated at the south bank of the River Thames, in London.  The location allowed a safe spot for visitors to stroll among the trees on warm evenings. There, they could listen to music and admire sights such as paintings, sculpture and recreated ruins.  Food and drink were plentiful for all of the guests who represented a wide spectrum of society--from royalty to servants.

This ticket has been authenticated with a seal and was signed and dated by Jonathan Tyers--the proprietor of the gardens—the son of Jonathan Tyers (died 1767), who originally opened the gardens in 1732.

The image depicted on this ticket is of the “Dark Walk”--one of several avenues of trees that on the manicured grounds of Spring Gardens.  This avenue was close enough to the festivities that the music could be heard, but far enough removed that  it allowed for less wholesome activities.

Unusual Artifacts: The George Robey Toby, c. 1930

Toby Jug
Royal Doulton, 1930
The Victoria & Albert Museum

This earthenware Toby Jug features a bowler hat as a lid. This is among a popular line of Toby Jugs which was manufactured in the 1930s and based on music hall performers.  This example is modeled on George Robey (1869–1954), who is considered one of Britain’s most successful music hall comedians--a master of comic songs, caricatures and sketches, who became known as “the Prime Minister of Mirth.”

George Robey was known for his trademark stage appearance, a costume which is captured in this jug - a long collarless frock coat, a semi-clerical bowler hat, a walking stick and enormous black eyebrows which he raised quizzically to “great comic effect.”

This glazed earthenware jug  boasts a pale green handle and base, and depicts George Robey, dressed in his usual black suit, a white shirt and a red spotted handkerchief, and carrying a cane under his left arm. His nose is glazed in a reddish hue and he has his trademark crescent-shaped eyebrows. The plinth of the toby bears the incised inscription “GEORGE ROBEY” and the initials “AHCH.F.F.RA.”  It was made in Stoke-on-Trent, England by Royal Doulton.

And, yes, for the last twenty minutes I've been muttering "Robey Toby, Robey Toby, Robey Toby..."

Print of the Day: The Ghost of Benjamin Binns, Twentieth C.

The Ghost of Benjamin Binns
Twentieth Century
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Keep your seat if you please, and don't be afraid, 

I am only a ghost, a poor harmless shade;

I would not hurt any one here if I could, 

And you couldn't do me much harm if you would.

“The Ghost of Benjamin Binns” was written and composed by Harry Dacre. This sheet music cover from the early Twentieth Century depicts music hall star Harry Randall in character as he sang the song. The music was published by Francis Bros & Day and printed by H.G. Banks. 

Sculpture of the Day: A Bust of Handel by Louis-François Roubiliac, 1739

George Frederick Handel
L.F. Roubiliac, 1739
Marble
Given by the sitter to John Christopher Smith
by whom given to King George III
The Royal Collection

Britain’s King George III was a fervent admirer of the music of George Frederick Handel. The composer already had a long association with the Royal court, but George III saw to it that Handel remained the unofficial “official” court composer, even going as far as installing busts of the Handel over musical instruments in the Royal residences.


George III, as a boy, had occasion to meet Handel. After the meeting, Handel remarked, “While that boy lives, my music will never want a protector.” After Handel’s death, he bequeathed a great portion of his estate to John Christopher Smith, the Younger, who had been his pupil and who, also, cared for Handel during his blindness at the end of his life. Among the items that Smith inherited was this bust by French sculptor Louis-François Roubiliac. Roubiliac was celebrated for his portrait sculptures. Handel sat for the sculptor on several occasions.

Knowing that King George III was such a fan of Handel, Smith made a gift of this bust, Handel’s harpsichord and a large collection of the composer’s original sheet music to the King. George displayed the bust proudly in his private apartments.

At the Music Hall: “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now,” 1909

Billy Murray

I wonder who's kissing her now, 
I wonder who's teaching her how, 
Wonder who's looking into her eyes, 
Breathing sighs, telling lies; 
I wonder who's buying the wine, 
For lips that I used to call mine. 
I wonder if she ever tells him of me, 
I wonder who's kissing her now.

In 1909, in the musical The Prince of Tonight, a new song was introduced which would soon take its place amongst the most popular music of the early Twentieth Century. I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now became a music hall favorite and was a poignant reminder to the men who’d gone to fight in World War I that their young ladies might be finding comfort in other arms.

The music was written by Joseph E. Howard and Harold Orlob, and the lyrics were written by Will M. Hough and Frank R. Adams. Enjoy this 1909 recording by the famed Billy Murray as played on a Victor II Gramophone.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: The Champion Clog Dancer of the World Belt, 1883

Dan Leno
Guy Little Theatrical Photography
The Victoria & Albert Museum

In the north of England, in the Nineteenth Century, clog dancing was one of the most popular local activities, particularly in places like Northumberland and Durham. The “clogs” in question were shoes with wooden soles rather than entirely wooden shoes of the Dutch variety.

The style of dancing which was popular at the time was similar to Irish step-dancing in that the dancer’s body remained immobile and the face expressionless while the feet beat out complicated rhythms.  One dancer--Dan Leno—proudly boasted that, with his feeties, he could “put more beats into sixteen bars of music than a drummer can with his drumsticks.”

In 1880, Dan Leno won the competition for “Champion Clog Dancer of the World.”  The contest eas organized by Joe Wood at the Princess's Music Hall in Leeds.  In a curious, but sensible twist, the judges sat under the stage and listened to the beats in order to decide the winner.

The prize given to the winner, Dan Leno, was a gold and silver belt much like this one. Thus began a new life for Dan Leno who had previously only survived with modest performances at local music halls.

According to the V&A, “Geo.Mullon won the title in 1881, followed by Benjamin Ray in 1882 when Leno was on the judging committee.”

Dan Leno would again enter the competition in 1883, but he surprisingly lost.  The audience went wild!  So many people were dissatisfied with the loss that the new champion agreed to a re-match at the People's Music Hall, Oldham. However, the new champion managed to “lose” the valuable belt before the competition took place. Leno was victorious after the six-night contest and was presented with this new belt to mark the occasion.

Dan Leno's 1883 Prize Belt
Silver and Gold
The Victoria & Albert Museum

After this, no person dared to seriously challenge Dan Leno again.

Made to replace the lost belt, this silver prize belt was made, in 1883, in five convex sections which are hinged together. Each section is raised and chased with figures and decorative foliate scrollwork. The central silver gilt section features a shield topped with a lyre, the shield is engraved: “CHAMPION BELT WON BY DAN LENO Champion Clog Dancer of the Worlds AT THE People's Music Hall Oldham AFTER 6 NIGHTS CONTEST May 14th to 19th 1883'.”

Leno would go on to much success on the boards of Music Halls--starring in a variety of shows.