Object of the Day, Museum Edition: “Punch and Judy” by Arthur Boyd Houghton, 1860

Punch and Judy
Arthur Boyd Houghton, 1860
Oil on Canvas
Tate Britain

Painter Arthur Boyd Houghton (1836-1875) was well-known for his small scenes depicting everyday life in Victorian London. His intimate compositions often were teeming with figures meant to show a cross section of the population of London. In this painting from 1860, Houghton uses a scene of a Punch and Judy Show (barely visible on the right) to demonstrate the universal appeal of this form of entertainment to people of all classes. Such public shows were a leveler—uniting individuals from all walks of life—with humor and good-natured political and social satire.


While the show itself is the draw, the crowd is the real theater of this scene. Here, we see a typical mix of the residences of the many sections of London. Two smartly-dressed children stand with their caregiver, should-to-shoulder with a street urchin in rags. A laborer carries a wicker-bound parcel toward an unconcerned gentlewoman. Dressed in fine clothes and a tall silk hat, a well-to-do young gentleman is being chatted up by someone of a different class. Standing out like a character from the pantomime is the uniformed lamp-lighter in his blue and red attire—symbolic of the state’s protection of society from the evils of darkness.

By centering this boiling pot of different circumstances around the common central theme of the appeal of Mr. Punch, Houghton shows us that everyone is equal where it counts.

Gratuitous Bertie Dog Picture: Two Ladies, A Bertie and an Officer Seated at Tea

"I think he's hiding sandwiches under his wig."

Click image to enlarge.

Image:  Two Ladies and an Officer Seated at Tea, Formerly attributed to the Dutch artist Nicolaes Verkolje (1673-1746), Now thought to have been painted in Great Britain, United Kingdom, ca. 1715 (painted), Bequeathed by Claude D. Rotch to the Victoria & Albert Museum.

You know you want to have a Bertie Dog mug, tee-shirt, tote bag or water bottle. You know you do. So, take a look at our online store. 

Mastery of Design: Queen Mary's Ruby and Thirteen Cameo Tea Brooch, Sixteenth to Nineteenth Centuries

Crown Copyright The Royal Collection Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Mary rescued more jewelry from being broken apart than Sting has rescued Rain Forest trees. This brooch of gold, Burmese rubies and thirteen onyx cameos was part of an impressive parure dating back to the Sixteenth Century. Queen Mary was known to wear the brooch for teas and less formal occasions when diamonds would not have been appropriate. The current arrangement of the cameos dated to the early Nineteenth Century when the piece was reconstructed with additional rubies and a mounted hook for a detachable pendant drop. Her Majesty admired the brooch and accompanying suite which had been part of another collection, acquiring it in 1932.

The cameos depict a rather odd assortment of subjects:

1. Two female figures, in long dresses.
2. Seated male nude, possibly Dionysus, approached by a satyr blowing a horn.
3, Male nude running towards a bonfire.
4. Male nude, making a sacrifice at an altar.
5, Orpheus, nude, with a small animal.
6. Female musician with her right breast exposed.
7. The Adoration of the Magi
8. Male musician, wearing a tunic.
9. Cupid, walking to the right, reading from a scroll.
10. Cupid, walking to the left, carrying a vessel.
11. Cupid, facing left, teasing a bird.
12. Cupid, walking to the left, again.
13. Kneeling male nude, offering an object to a seated male wearing a tunic, possibly a slave serving his master.

Treat of the Week: 2013's Annual Valentine's Day Tea

My favorite holiday with my parents and Bertie is Valentine’s Day. Each year, I look forward to February when my mother, assisted by my father, stages a gorgeous English tea to celebrate the day.  You've seen the two past year's Valentine's Teas, and this year's is even more gorgeous!

Our annual Valentine’s tea reminds me of the proper English teas we enjoyed visiting London’s Belgravia and Mayfair, especially at the stunning Basil Street Hotel (now, sadly, closed—the building converted into offices).   Hours and hours (days) of preparation goes into this tea each year, and I genuinely appreciate it. 

Let’s take a look at this year’s festivities.

With the table beautifully set with sterling, crystal, and my mother's wedding china, the scene was magnificently set.  A host of gorgeous tea sandwiches which included rosemary ham, roast beef, turkey, boiled eggs, pancetta, chicken spread, beautiful blue cheese paste, olive tapanade, cucumber and assorted other savories began the festivities.  

 

After these savory delights, lovely tea and Proseco with Creme de Cassis accompanied homemade scones, mocha-topped gingerbread, chocolate-dipped strawberries and apricots, hand-molded chocolates, delicate tarts of French pastry crème and glazed berries and amazingly decorated petifore of creamy pound cake. Rich raisin bread spread with lovely cream cheese added a cool sweetness to the event. 

I think I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. So much work went into preparing for this special event. It truly is my favorite event...

To Serve and Project: The William Grundy Kettle, 1753

Tea Kettle
William Grundy, 1753
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Though we most often associate the act of drinking tea with Britain, tea wasn’t imported into Britain until the Seventeenth Century when it was used more as a mild stimulant or medicinal drink than just a beverage.

As the passion for China and things Chinese grew in Britain, tea became a fashionable and popular drink despite its high cost.  Before the fashion for “tea time” caught on, dinner was served around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, after which tea or coffee were often served.

Tea was always  made at the tea table by the lady of the house who employed an elegant silver or porcelain tea service. Tea kettles became popular at the beginning of the 18th century. At the time, these kettles often featured a small spirit lamp in the base to keep the water hot.  Servants used a tea kettle to bring the boiling water required for making tea from the kitchen to the tea table where it could be used by the lady of the house.

The sterling kettle and stand pictured above were made by William Grundy, who was apprenticed as a silversmith in 1731 and probably died before 1780. The engraved coat of arms is that of the Stacye family.

Until the 1730s, tea kettles (the costliest part of the tea service) were generally plain and unadorned, however, the influence of Rococo taste transformed kettles into a vehicle for extravagant ornament. This kettle by Grundy is chased with Rococo scrollwork and floral motifs.  Its domed lid is surmounted by an elegant finial in the shape of a bunch of grapes—a popular visual motif when this was made around 1753. 

Within 50 years, this kettle would have fallen into disuse, most likely replaced with a more fashionable tea urn.

Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square, Chapter 262

Chapter 262 

Only in This House 



“Here’s a picture,” Robert said, turning a book around to show Mr. Punch.

“Is that them poor blokes? What were their names, then? Zing and Zang?”

“Cheng and Eng.” Robert smiled, tapping the lithograph.

“And, they’re two blokes, are they? Two blokes with one body?”

“That’s correct. They share parts of the same body, but as you can see, not all. They’ve each got their own legs.”

“Only they can’t use ‘em, because they’re…ya know, stuck together. They always gotta be together even though they’re two different blokes.”

“Essentially. Yes, they are conjoined.”

“Ain’t no way to separate ‘em?”

“No. Not without killing one or the other, or both.”

“Strange…” Punch shook his head. “That’s rather what I am, ain’t it?”

“In a physical way.” Robert nodded slowly.

Punch shrugged. “I can’t go anywhere without Julian, and he can’t go nowhere without me. Only we don’t look like two men. We got all the right number o’ things. Only…well, we’re con…con…”

“Conjoined.”

“If we was to look like what we was, then, it’d be somethin’ like that. Wouldn’t it?”

“I can see what you’re suggesting, Dear Punch. However, there’s no comparison as you’re not…it’s just not the same. You… Your state is one of emotion and intellect. Theirs is a physical deformity. An anomaly.”

“I’m an anomaly, too. When I see me-self, ya know, in me thoughts, I ain’t a man. I ain’t the handsome bloke what cuddles up to you at night. I’m a puppet with a humpy back and a large nose…”

“Dear Punch…” Robert started. “You’re nothing like this. You’re essentially two men…living in one house.”

“Two or more.” Punch teased. “In this house.”

“I hope you don’t think of yourself as some kind of…freak.” Robert shook his head. “You’re not like these unfortunate souls.”

“It ain’t a bad thing, Chum. I find it…well, as ghastly as it is for them poor blokes, I feel like I understand ‘em. Are there many blokes born like them?”

“Not many.”

“Are they ever ladies?”

“Sometimes. Most twins born in such a manner don’t usually live to adulthood.”

“Poor folk. What causes it?”

“A number of factors.” Robert replied.

“You think maybe Orpha’s son is like that?”

“Given Ulrika’s interest and the information we found about ‘The Fifty,’ I’d say it’s highly likely.”

Punch looked at the lithograph in the book again. “They don’t look unhappy. I’m glad. I’d hate to think they was unhappy. Maybe they like what they are. I like what I am. Julian likes it, too. For, after all, it were kinda his decision to make us this way. These Siamese chaps didn’t have no say in it, so it’s all the more good that they look happy.”

“You’re wonderful.” Robert smiled, reaching across the library table and putting his hand over Punch’s. “I adore you, my dearest Punch.”

“Dearest,” Punch grinned. “Like me ring what you gave me. Dearest.”

“That’s right.” Robert nodded. The clock chimed midnight. “We’d best get to bed, dear Punch. It’s been a wickedly long day, full of many unpleasant things. Let’s put it behind us.”

“Hard to think we just left Jenny in her final restin’ place not but a few hours ago. You’d never know it now…the house so quiet as it is, all the sobbin’ what we had earlier just on the floor below. I reckon we should go to bed. Lennie’s retired.”

“Kind of her to let Ethel stay with her in her room. Your sister’s been so good with the girl.”

“I know Lennie ain’t gonna get a lick o’ sleep, stayin’ up to watch Ethel like we done when we first brought Colin home. Will Ethel ever come ‘round?”

“I hope so. We must give her time.” Robert stood. “Now, come…let’s ready ourselves for bed.” He paused. “Need we ring for Charles?”

“No, we gave ‘em all the evenin’ off.” Punch shook his head.

Just as Punch and Robert walked toward the library door, it opened and in walked Charles, followed by Speaight, pushing a tea trolley laden with silver and china. Stacked high on tiered dishes were beautiful, little sandwiches of butter and cucumber, olives and cheeses, ham, beef and chicken pate. All of the things Punch loved most. Trays of little cakes, berry tarts, scones and petifore adorned with piped flowers.

“What’s this?” Robert asked.

“Mrs. Pepper sent us up with this, Sir.” Charles responded.

“It’s terribly late,” Robert shook his head. “You all should have retired some time ago. Furthermore…”

“Sir,” Speaight began. “Mrs. Pepper was very worried that neither you nor His Grace nor Miss Molliner took any luncheon, tea nor dinner. So, she prepared this for you.”

“It’s all of the things that Your Grace and you, Sir, like best for tea.” Charles added.

“Look at all o’ them sandwiches and cakes.” Mr. Punch smiled. “And, them scones what I like so very much, with them dried cherries in ‘em. I do love all these things, only it weren’t necessary. Dr. Halifax and I were quite serious ‘bout everyone downstairs takin’ the evenin’.”

“Mrs. Pepper wanted to do it.” Charles replied, rolling the trolley toward the settee by the mantel. “In fact, Your Grace, it was the first time she smiled today. She recalled how she’d taught Jenny to make those scones and how Jenny was so proud upon her first batch of them. She knew how you loved them, Your Grace, and she was pleased to know that she had done something which you’d enjoy.”

“In that case,” Punch nodded. “We’ll sit and have our tea.” He took Robert by the arm and led him to the settee.

“To be sure, I’d not given it any thought, but I am quite hungry.” Robert added.

“Have all of you downstairs eaten?” Punch asked.

“Mrs. Pepper prepared downstairs dinner.” Speaight nodded.

“We all rather picked at it.” Charles answered honestly. “Strange without Jenny and with Ethel not in her place. All of us feeling rather out of sorts, and Gerard worried about their marriage banns.”

Robert looked at Punch who knew immediately what his companion was thinking.

“Speaight,” Punch said quickly. “Is Mrs. Pepper still downstairs or has she gone up to her room?”

“Everyone is still in the servants’ hall with the exception of Gamilla who is in the nursery and the Queen’s driver who retired to the mews.”

“Go and fetch them, then, will you?”

“Your Grace?”

“Violet and Georgie and Gerard—who shouldn’t be out of bed—and Mrs. Pepper. Go and fetch them so we might all take our late tea together,” Mr. Punch smiled.

“Your Grace, we…”

“No protestations.” Robert interrupted. “I know it’s not typical, but, it’s not been a typical day. We should all take this time to comfort one another. Regardless of the floors which separate us, we have all suffered the same loss. We are all joined together. Why should we not take our nourishment together, even if it is just for this one time?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I’ll see if Lennie is still awake,” Punch added.

“We’ve already brought a tray to Miss Molliner’s room, Your Grace.” Charles said. “We thought she would prefer to stay with Ethel.”

“Good.” Punch nodded. “Thank you.” He looked at the beautiful spread which Mrs. Pepper had prepared. “There’s certainly enough here for everyone, there is.”

“I shall fetch the others, Your Grace. And, bring up more cups and plates” Speaight nodded, exiting.

“I’ll be mother, Sir.” Charles suggested, beginning to pour the tea.

“No, I will.” Punch volunteered. “Please sit, Charles. You, too, have had an added shock tonight.”

“I should say so.” Robert nodded.

Charles sighed, thinking of the arrival of his brother and Ulrika Rittenhouse.

“Tea at midnight.” Punch smiled. “Only in this house.”

“It’ll be a celebration,” Robert sat down. “In honor of our Jenny.”

“And our household…which she’ll always be a part of.” Punch added. “Always.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-261 of Mr. Punch of Belgrave Square? If so, you can read them here. Come back tomorrow for Chapter 263.

Unusual Artifacts: A Silver Cow Creamer, 1758

Creamer
English, 1758
Sterling Silver
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here, we see a sterling silver cream jug in the form of a cow. Such items are often referred to by the unsavory name of “spewers.” I don’t like that word, so, we’ll call it a “creamer.”

Creamers such as this came about as the British developed a taste for adding milk or cream to their tea in the mid Eighteenth century. This was considered to be a better alternative to drinking weak tea in the Chinese style. By the late Eighteenth Century, creamers had become an essential part of the tea service.

Taking a design cue from the literal, creamers were often made in the form of cows during this period. Most of the sterling silver examples from the Eighteenth Century bear the mark of John Schuppe, and were made between 1753 and 1773. This example was made in 1758.

Most believe that Schuppe was from the Netherlands where such creamers in the shape of a cow had already been quite fashionable for decades. All of Schuppe’s creamers follow the same basic design of a looped tail and a saddle-shaped lid with a finial in the form of a fly. Cream or milk is poured from the cow’s mouth.

These items achieves an enduring popularity and many are still produced by various manufacturers and in a variety of media.

Now, I must note, that in Twentieth-Century literature, Bertie Wooster (for whom my Bertie is named), the hero of the “Jeeves and Wooster” tales by P.G. Wodehouse, found such cow creamers quite disgusting and they figured prominently in one of Bertie’s adventures in particular. My Bertie Wooster, on the other hand, likes any vessel which is designed to hold cream and has no objection to them.