Mastery of Design: The Diamond Curb Chain Bracelet, 1895

The Victoria & Albert Museum

This bracelet is formed of gold curb-chain links (oval and flattened), some of which are ornamented in diamonds.

Made in Paris around 1890 by Léon Gariod, this bracelet shows the elegance for which the designer was known.  The firm was originally founded by Gaucher and Tonnelier in 1859. Later, Gaucher became sole partner until he was  joined by Léon Gariod in 1875. By, 1884, the firm belonded to Gariod alone.  By the time this bracelet was made, Gariod was celebrated throughout Paris for his articulated bracelets and matt gold chains decorated, as we see here, with gem stones.

Unusual Artifacts: The Baffo Harpsichord, 1574

The Baffo Harpsichord
Italy, 1574
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The Victoria & Albert Museum

Putting aside any preconceived notions of harpsichords that we might have based on Lurch, let’s take a look at one from 1574 which was made in Italy. This harpsichord was built by Giovanni Baffo who was the leading maker of harpsichords in Venice. During the Sixteenth Century, Venice was one of the main instrument-producing centers in Europe. This magnificent instrument is decorated with traditional Islamic patterns. Such patterns were then widely used in Venice. But, the instrument also features the classical motifs, such as Apollo and the Muses--suitable themes for musical instruments—which were fashionable at the time. Through the centuries, this harpsichord has endured a number of changes--including the altering of the range of the notes. This alteration was a sign that even if musical fashions and ranges changed during the next century, the prestige of Baffo's instruments remained intact.

The harpsichord features a pine case with an inner face veneered with rosewood, and is partly inlaid with boxwood with a cypress soundboard. The edges of the instrument, jack rail and base of the keyboard are decorated with ivory studs while the nameboard and inner sides above the sound board, are veneered with rosewood, and decorated with gilt moresques and inlaid with patterns of ivory and boxwood. The maker has signed and dated the instrument on the nameboard.

The inside of the lid is elaborately adorned with a grotesque ornament and two winged putti holding up the three-crescent emblem of the Strozzi family, for whom the instrument was made. The main part of the lid is dominated with a cartouche containing Apollo and the Muses. Further adornment includes masks, bat-wing lunettes and sphinxes and other grotesques. Curiously, the decoration is crudely cut off at a later date.

At the Music Hall: Just Like the Ivy, 1903

 Just watch the ivy on that old garden wall
   Clinging so tightly what e'er may befall;
   As you grow older I'll be constant and true,
   And just like the ivy I'll cling to you. 
 

With lyrics by A. J. Mills and music by Harry Castling, this song first appeared in 1903.  It’s sentimental theme of love and devotion quickly made it a hit on the music hall boards.  These enduring themes have given the song a lasting appeal and it’s still remembered fondly to this day.

The Home Beautiful: Christmas Ornaments by Krebsglas, 1900

The Victoria & Albert Museum

Blown in Lauscha, Germany, in 1900, by the manufacturer, Krebsglas, we see a collection of glass Christmas ornaments.

These Christmas decorations are typical of the east German region of Thuringia which has long been celebrated for its glass-blowing and lampwork. These examples from 1900 are mould-blown.  The spire--intended for the top of the tree--is particularly fine and was most likely from a mould from the late Nineteenth Century.

The Art of Play: A Toy Bird/Christmas Ornament, 1975

The Victoria & Albert Museum

I've looked at this bird about two dozen times. It's a peculiar thing.

So, what is it? It's a toy bird, yes. But, not one that would be too fun to play with. This toy bird, resembling a peacock, is best described as a Christmas tree ornament. At the base of the neck is a small metal loop allowing for an ornament hook. Some of the bird's painted clay surface adorned with fragments of clear glass. The rest of the body and wire legs are covered with pink fur which I suspect is meant to resemble feathers. The head is also covered in glass fragments while the neck is adorned with long glass beads.

Made in China in 1975, the bird was for export to Western Europe.

Antique Image of the Day: The Queen’s Christmas Tree, Windsor Castle, 1857

The Queen's Christmas Tree, Windsor Castle
1857
The Royal Collection

Christmas and Victoriana have long been linked together. When we think of Christmas traditions, our thoughts tend to go back to the Victorian and repeat images straight out of Charles Dickens. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert did much to popularize the decoration of fir trees at Christmastime. They embraced this German custom and actually filled the royal residences with many trees—sometimes one for each member of the family as well as trees for the staff. However, while Victoria and Albert made the custom more common in Britain, contrary to popular belief, they were not the ones to initially introduce the practice to the royal household. That primary introduction came from Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III.


It was Victoria and Albert’s tradition to hand out presents on Christmas Eve. We see here an image of one of their Christmas trees in Windsor Castle, taken on Christmas Eve, 1857. This was the queen’s personal tree and all of the presents that she was to receive were placed beneath it. As we can see, among her many presents were autographed photos of popular actors of the day. Queen Victoria was never shy about showing that she was a fan of something. 

Object of the Day, Museum Edition: A Greeting Card from 1860

The Victoria & Albert Museum

This is one of 158 Christmas and New Year cards which were produced in England between 1860 and 1880. The artist and publisher are unknown for this color lithograph which features paper lace and fabric appliqués.

The card boasts a Christmas tree motif—a symbol which was once again becoming popular in Britain. It shows the ideal Christmas tree from the Victorian era, alive with color and style. Two cherubic children adorn the tree with ornaments typical of the era which also have a bit of Dutch style to them.