Mastery of Design: A Double Clip Diamond Brooch, 1930-1940

Lady Abingdon's Double Dress Clip Brooch
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

 

I thought that this double-clip diamond brooch would be the perfect jewel to conclude today’s posts. 

I don’t need to tell you that this was made between 1930 and 1940 during that luscious period when dense concentrations of diamonds and other gemstones were en vogue. The fashion started in the 1920s and is also known for the use of platinum settings which did not intrude on the look of the piece. 

Brooches like this one were quite popular during this period. Not only were they attractive, but they were versatile. And, in a way economical since a lady could get several looks from one piece of jewelry. The brooch can be worn as a whole or it can be divided into two identical halves which were worn as clips. Diamond clips were placed on lapels or opposing one another on the neckline of a gown. 

This example gleams with brilliant-cut, baguette and square-cut diamonds. It was made in England by a now unknown jeweler. It’s part of the beautiful collection of The Bettine, Lady Abingdon in the V&A. 

Other brooches (with a necklace and earrings) from the collection.  We've studied most of these.

Friday Fun: Santa Claus, Punch and Judy, 1948

It's that time of year again!  Yes, I like to trot this thing out every December.

This edited down version of the 1948 short film, Santa Claus, Punch and Judy omits the rather unnerving Santa Claus bit and some other politically incorrect business and focuses on the performance of famed American Punch Professor George Prentice who is credited with keeping Mr. Punch and his chums vital and relevant throughout the 1930’s and 40’s. Here, you can see some new characters of Prentice’s own creation. There’s a particularly belligerent monkey, and Mr. Punch has some rare interaction with a cat. Prentice very cleverly incorporated popular songs of the day into his show while keeping Mr. Punch’s spirit close to that of his predecessors.


And, so, I give you, Santa Claus, Punch and Judy (minus Santa, but plus one monkey).

Mastery of Design: A Double Clip Diamond Brooch, 1930-1940

Lady Abingdon's Double Dress Clip Brooch
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

 

Since we’re looking at stereoscopes and double images today, I thought that this double-clip diamond brooch would be the perfect jewel to conclude today’s posts. 

I don’t need to tell you that this was made between 1930 and 1940 during that luscious period when dense concentrations of diamonds and other gemstones were en vogue. The fashion started in the 1920s and is also known for the use of platinum settings which did not intrude on the look of the piece. 

Brooches like this one were quite popular during this period. Not only were they attractive, but they were versatile. And, in a way economical since a lady could get several looks from one piece of jewelry. The brooch can be worn as a whole or it can be divided into two identical halves which were worn as clips. Diamond clips were placed on lapels or opposing one another on the neckline of a gown. 

This example gleams with brilliant-cut, baguette and square-cut diamonds. It was made in England by a now unknown jeweler. It’s part of the beautiful collection of The Bettine, Lady Abingdon in the V&A. 

Other brooches (with a necklace and earrings) from the collection.  We've studied most of these.

Friday Fun: Santa Claus, Punch and Judy, 1948

It's that time of year again!

This edited down version of the 1948 short film, Santa Claus, Punch and Judy omits the rather unnerving Santa Claus bit and some other politically incorrect business and focuses on the performance of famed American Punch Professor George Prentice who is credited with keeping Mr. Punch and his chums vital and relevant throughout the 1930’s and 40’s. Here, you can see some new characters of Prentice’s own creation. There’s a particularly belligerent monkey, and Mr. Punch has some rare interaction with a cat. Prentice very cleverly incorporated popular songs of the day into his show while keeping Mr. Punch’s spirit close to that of his predecessors.


And, so, I give you, Santa Claus, Punch and Judy (minus Santa, but plus one monkey).

Saturday Silliness: Little Audrey in “Tarts and Flowers”

I've shared this with you before--a couple of years ago, but I think it's time to trot it out again.

In the late 1940’s when Paramount decided not to renew the license to use the popular cartoon character, “Little Lulu,” they came up with their own variation on the idea of the precocious girl—Little Audrey. Though Little Audrey had an entirely different look than her predecessor, she had similar adventures which were often fantastical—like visiting Santa Claus with a group of multi-racial children or even bizarre like traveling to a land ruled by anthropomorphized cake.

The idea of the “Land of Cake” was a carry-over from the 1920’s and 1930’s when standard cartoon subject matter often featured rather unsettling microcosms filled with knee-bending creatures which were made of the same material as the land which they inhabited.

The viewers of the late 1940’s cartoon, “Tarts and Flowers” are almost relieved to know that Audrey is dreaming about this grotesque land of breathing baked goods. However, that comfort is yanked away in the final seconds of the short.

Enjoy!