Mastery of Design: The David Thomas Necklace and Chain, 1967-8

Pendant/Brooch and Chain
David Thomas, 1967-8
The Victoria & Albert Museum

In 1960s London, fashions were changing in dynamic and dramatic new ways. This contemporary style found its way to the world of jewelry as well and launched a visual philosophy amongst modern jewelers which focused on asymmetrical contours, splintered surfaces, textured gold and unusual gemstones often left rough or in crystal form.

One of the most prominent proponents of this new London style was David Thomas (born 1938).  Thomas studied at Twickenham School of Art and the Royal College of Art, and was one of the several innovative young jewelers who were included in the “International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery 1890-1961”held at Goldsmiths' Hall in 1961.

This magnificent necklace was commissioned from him by the celebrated model Ann Mollo, who is pictured wearing this pendant as a brooch in her portrait of 1969 by photographer Michael Seymour in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.

We can see Thomas’ aesthetic with this pendant with a raised central cluster of irregular topaz crystals.  From these radiate individually-applied gold wires, some with granular decoration, which are scattered among narrow rectangular garnets.

On the back of the pendant is a hook to attach the chain, and, also, a pin allowing the piece to be worn as a brooch. The chain is comprised of long alternating links in two distinct patterns.

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.

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...

What walks all day on its head?

And, the answer is...

A shoe nail!

As usual, you all came up with some much more clever answers than the real answer.  Come back for another of Mr. Punch's Puzzles on an upcoming Friday!

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.  

Mr. Punch in the Arts: “Sonnet to Punch,” circa 1796

One of Bryan Clarke's
exquisite hand-made
Mr. Punch figures based on
the designs of Piccini as
illustrated by
George Cruikshank.

Sonnet to Punch
Triumphant Punch! with joy I follow thee
   Thro’ the glad progress of thy wanton course;
   Where life is painted with such truth and force,
It’s equal on our stage we never see.
Whether thou kill’st thy wife with jolly glee,
   Hurl’st thy sweet babe away without remorse,
   Mount’st, and art quickly thrown from thy horse,
Or dance with “pretty Poll,” so fair and free;
   Having first slain with just disdain her sire,
   Deaf to music of thy sheep-bell lyre:
Who loves not music, is not fit to live!
   Then, when the hangman comes, who can refuse
   To laugh, when thou his head into the noose
Hast nimbly thrust, while he gets no reprieve?
             Who feigns to grieve
Though goest unpunish’d in the fiend’s despite,
And slay’st him too, is but a hypocrite.
             ‘Tis such a delight
To see thee cudgel his black carcase antique,
For very rapture I am almost frantic.


Scholars of literature, theatre and puppetry have long debated the author of this sonnet which appeared for the first time circa 1796. Though some disagree, it is believed to have been written—in the Italian style—by Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron). Regardless of the author, it’s a very clever poem and one that neatly summarizes the character of our dear Mr. Punch.

Unusual Artifacts: Punch and Jack Ketch, the Hangman, 19th C.

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another hand-colored “magic lantern” glass slide from the set of twelve by Theobald & Co. This one depicts Mr. Punch in jail, being confronted by the hangman, Jack Ketch. It is number eleven in the set.

The following text accompanies the slide during a magic lantern show:

Punch: Oh dear, Mr. Hangman, I didn’t mean to do it, you wouldn’t hurt a poor old man like me. Take that nasty looking thing away, it makes me feel sick. I shan’t enjoy my dinner.

Hangman: Well, Mr. Punch, you deserve to be hanged, but I did hear this morning that the baby is getting better, and you may get off after all, but don’t you never go and do such a thing again. Now off you go quick, here comes the Bogie man.

A Recipe for Punch, Chapter 64

Chapter 64
A Lady Nonetheless



"Auntie," Lennie smiled as she poked her head into the Vermillion Suite.  "May I come in?"

"Oh, please do, Lennie."  Morgana brightened.

Lennie entered, twirling a bit to show off her gown.  "How do I look?"

Morgana gasped.  "Stunning.  Oh, my dear, just...just stunning.  I...oh...you're a delight in your springtime green.  Such a fine color on you.  You're so very pretty.  And those jewels..."

"The jewels and the gown are all owed to my very generous brother."  Lennie chuckled.

"Nevertheless, it is you who give them life."  Morgana smiled.

"So, I don't look like a woman who has just encountered the shade of her dead mother?"  Lennie sighed.

"N...no...not at all."  Morgana shook her head.

"Matthew's just in his rooms."  Lennie sat on the bed next to her aunt.  "You know, Auntie, I find that I'm rather excited to have him here."

"Of course you are.  You are to be wed."  Morgana nodded.

"I'm fond of Matthew.  Truly.  Yet, I do not tend to become excited by his visits.  Not typically.  Perhaps after the horrors of this morning, the idea of anything more pleasant is appealing."

"You do your young man an injustice."   Morgana shook her head.

"That's just it, Auntie.  He's not a particularly young man."  Lennie replied.  "Not that I am aglow with the dew of youth either.  However, he is...well, he's a good deal older.   Perhaps that's why my feelings for him are, at times, avuncular."

"Give it time, my dear."  Morgana replied.  She smiled.  "Oh, you do look so pretty.  How I wish you were my very own daughter."

Lennie looked fondly at her aunt.  "In a way, I am."  She leaned in.  "This is why I very much want you to meet Matthew."  She paused to raise her hand.  "Now, before you say that you cannot, Punch and Robert have already told Matthew about you..."

"Oh dear, whatever did he say?"  Morgana blushed.

"At first, he was slightly taken aback.  I will be honest with you."

"Of course."  Morgana nodded.

"However,"  Lennie continued.  "The Earl of Cleaversworth, while not the most scintillating of men, is kind-hearted.  His world...until meeting our rather..."

"Peculiar?"

"Yes,"  Lennie laughed, "until meeting our rather peculiar family, Matthew's world has been rather narrow.  Still, he's willing to accept and learn new things to which, perhaps, before he would have closed his eyes."

"That's because he loves you."  Morgana responded.

"No, I think that owes more to my brother's influence."

"As charming as our Punch is, it is not his influence which sways your fiance.  Still, I cannot meet him."  Morgana replied.

"Auntie,"  Lennie began.

"My...my dear."  Morgana shook her head.  "On this I must remain firm."

"I'm not asking you to leave your room.  You may stay in your bed.  I shall bring him to you. Once your wardrobe is prepared, then, you can go out more.  And, when we have solved the issue of shoes for you..."

"Lennie..."

"Auntie Morgana, I have no mother.  You've said just now that you wished I was your own daughter.  Please."

"Darling girl, I am a monster."  Morgana began to cry.

"The woman who bore me was a monster."  Lennie answered firmly.  "You are a kind-hearted woman whose hands and leg happen to differ from everyone elses'.  In the hours I've known you...you've been more of a mother to me than anyone who ever called herself 'mother' to me.  Auntie...perhaps I'm being selfish, but..."

"No,"  Morgana replied.  "It is I.  I am being selfish."  She sat up as regally as she could.  "Yes, my dear...d...d...do bring your Matthew to meet me whenever you like.  I am honored t...to do so."

"Thank you, Auntie."  Lennie wiped her eyes.

Morgana nodded.  "No, my...my dear.  Thank you."

"I shall go down to the drawing room.  That's where we're to meet.  After awhile, I'll bring him up to meet you."  Lennie rose and hurried to the door.  "I'm terribly thrilled."

"I'm glad."  Morgana answered.

"I will see you shortly."  Lennie waved as she left.

Morgana sank into her pillows and looked around her rooms, hoping to spot something which would calm her increasing nervousness.

"Pity they didn't leave the Jar of Heads for me."  She muttered.  "No, no."  She said to yourself.  "You're not in a Curiosities Show anymore.  You mustn't think such things anymore.  You're a proper lady.  A lady with pincers, but a lady nonetheless."




Did you miss Chapters 1-63 of A Recipe for Punch?  If so, you can read them here.  Come back Monday for Chapter 65.

The Art of Play: Mr. Punch's Gallows, c. 1900

Gallows
The Victoria and Albert Museum

Anyone familiar with the traditional Punch & Judy shows knows that among Punchinello's many tribulations is a battle with Jack Ketch, the hangman wherein our hero pleads, "Please don't hang me."  Well, the puppet character of Jack Ketch does not hang Mr. Punch; instead, he is hanged by Punch upon his own gallows.

And, here's such a gallows.

This is a property for a Punch and Judy show which was owned, and presumably operated by Will Judge (1882-1960), who was, as I've written before, billed variously as "the Norfolk Comedian" and a "Refined Comedian and Patterer."  Again, this is curious as Judge was famed for his Panto Dame roles, but is not ever recorded as being a Punch and Judy man.  Oddly enough, he had a fully formed set of Punch & Judy puppets and props which were donated to the V&A by Judge's son.

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: Fred Tickner’s “Hangman” from Punch & Judy, 1975

Jack Ketch
Fred Tickner, 1875
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another puppet by the great Punch & Judy man and puppet maker, Fred Tickner. From his group made in 1975, we see “Jack Ketch, the hangman.” 

This puppet comes with his wooden gallows and rope. A glove puppet, jack features a hand-carved and painted face and hands. His head is adorned with brown artificial fur hair. Jack’s character is immediately recognizable. Fred Tickner had a mastery of representing the personalities of his characters. His celebrated work continues to influence puppet makers to this day.