Of peace and plenty

If one needs a message one the eve of the new year, (and OK, you probably don't), mine would be a wish for peace, symbolised by the dove, and conveniently for my purposes, the symbolism of "saving" as represented by these dovecotes.

Now, you'll have to bear with me here. A dovecote, or doocot, (Scotland), columbarium, (Roman) actually housed more pigeons rather than doves, but this inconvenient fact would defeat my argument for peace. (Who ever heard of the pigeon of peace?)

They were built in the grounds of monasteries and manor houses and proved to be a highly valued source of food, when the normal supply was seasonally scarce.

These images show the internal workings of the structure, as well as one of the many varied shapes from the outside. They were found all over Europe, and not surprisingly they became associated with power: droit de colombier.

Beloved find

Eight years ago this anonymous portrait of the Dutch scholar Erasmus was sold at auction for EUR2,000, and was attibuted to one of the many imitators of the great German court painter, Hans Holbein the Younger.

It now appears that the private collector who bought it got himself a bit of a bargain. Experts now believe it is by the great man himself, and is therefore worth millions.

Lightening rarely strikes twice in the same place, but this picture, more easily associated with Holbein is by a "FOLLOWER OF HANS HOLBEIN Portrait of King Henry VIII (1491-1547), half-length, in a gold-embroidered doublet, fur coat and an embellished hat, with a feather inscribed 'Æt 53' (upper left) and dated '1545' (upper right), oil on fine-weave canvas, laid on panel 25 x 19 in. (63.5 x 48.2 cm.)" and is for sale at Christie's at an estimate of GBP3,000-5,000.

Not Ibsen's

And then there are these, which clearly are doll's houses, up for auction at Christie's in late January.

Top: AN EARLY VICTORIAN SIX-ROOM DOLL'S HOUSE CIRCA 1840. Modelled as a brick house, on stand, the interior including Walterhausen pieces, Grodnerthall dolls and a collection of doll's house furniture. 61½ in. (156 cm.) high; 39 in. (99 cm.) wide; 17 in. (43 cm.) deep, estimated at GBP2,500-4,000.

Lower: A REGENCY OCHRE-PAINTED SIX-ROOM DOLL'S HOUSE EARLY 19TH CENTURY Modelled as a villa with pilasters and balustraded double staircase, the interior with a large collection of later doll's house miniature furniture. 65½ in. (66.5 cm.) high; 72 in. (182.8 cm.) wide; 32 in. (81 cm.) deep, estimated at GBP6,000-10,000.

Although of approximately the same period of manufacture, the architectural design elements happily demonstrate, (however superficially), the beauty of neoclassicism over Victoriana.

And as with the other doll's house mentioned in the previous post, the Regency style house would make a very bold design piece if it were placed on a complementary stand.

Store it in style

Although obviously quite different, there are some similarities in these two pieces of furniture, with their inspiration from the neoclassical.

The top piece was designed by John Minshaw for a flat in London's Belgravia to reflect the building's grandiose classical facade, designed by Thomas Cubitt.

The second piece of furniture is up for sale at Christie's in early January and is described as a painted doll's house/bookcase, with rusticated front with glazed windows and hinged door, enclosing two shelves, and is estimated at GBP1,000-1,500. As it's of recent manufacture, you might be inclined to ditch the base and create something more eye-catching.

But with both, I think you will agree there is a desirable beauty in the structure and execution.

Moody blues

Bing & Gronhdahl 1895

Bing & Grondahl 1908

I was feeling moody and blue, with a touch of 'flu and these two of several Christmas plates up for auction on the 30th December (top, estimated at USD 1,000-1,500) Behind the frozen window, the first ever produced by Bing & Grondahl, and the plate for 1908 (lower, estimated at USD75-100) St Petri Church, Copenhagen seemed to reflect the way I was feeling.

But a happy and long conversation with an immediate family member in a far off land has brought some much needed Christmas cheer, proving that the smallest things are very often the strongest.

Now all I need is a bit of that Christmas spirit that comes from a bottle...

Frangipani

Although unrelated to Christmas, and white in the normal sense, these black and white photos of frangipani and their heady perfume are certainly a seasonal reminder for those of us in warmer climes, where they grow prolifically.

To those who celebrate this festival, and all the joy it brings to them - a very happy Christmas. To all others - peace and goodwill.

Gold, scents and mirror

Indulge me a little longer in my Christmas week word play on the three items allegedly brought by the three wise men/kings. But I shall avoid too much reference to the biblical, lest it offend. It's merely my attempt at decorative humour.

These demitasses are by L. Bernardaud & Cie, in Limoges, and the scents a wide variety of the usual suspects, including my favourite, Vetiver by Guerlain; the dressing table with mirror is Arts & Crafts.

Three wise

St.Matthew 2:1 tells us: "...Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem . . ." This Bible passage doesn't state how many wise men actually came from the east nor does it mention their names or their method of travel. It is only assumed they traveled by camel and they could have easily traveled by foot. The Bible doesn't claim these men to be kings, however it is speculated they were at least learned men and perhaps even astrologers.

http://www.merry-christmas.com/stories/wise-men.htm

In today's parlance it is appropriate that wise men should include wise women, and if not kings, perhaps a queen. There are of course more to choose from, but if you could invite anyone for dinner, wouldn't these three warrant an invitation?

A boxing day

In yesterday's post I was showing some decanters. But as I don't actually keep alcohol in them, and the drinks bottles reside on a tray in the kitchen, one pretty alternative to contain bottles is this "temple" box on the left, which holds 6 bottles. The other classic building boxes come in a variety of styles, from Venetian to Palladian, and make attractive conversation pieces.

And then there is this Burlington architectural planter, made in white Dolomite, terracotta, lead or stone finish.

Boxing clever, indeed.

Crystal carols

Tinkle bells, tinkle bells...oh, indulge me in my silly season Christmas week wordplay.

I mentioned that visitors to our house were more likely to be served from a glass receptacle than a silver one, (to accommodate the tinkle of ice over glass), and here is a selection of some to choose from.

I stopped using decanters some years ago because of a fear of the lead in the crystal seeping into the alcohol; well, not my fear, but that of someone important in my life. Whether that theory is true or not, I now actually really like empty decanters, as their effect enhances the silver and black and white theme in decorative objects throughout the sitting and dining area. And they work so well with artificial light, (including and especially very dimmed overhead halogens).

Silver belles

I have continued to collect silver from a young age, and these are pieces I liked and thought would be essential kit in everyday living.

The small set of milk and chocolate is Birmingham 1920.

The tea service is Sheffield 1909, in the Georgian style. The water jug doubles as a coffee pot.

Unfortunately as one's lifestyle develops I find I neither drink afternoon tea, nor do I participate in the ritual of inviting friends "for tea". Invitations to drink something in our house revolve around the cocktail hour. But fear not, collecting glass is another passion, so that activity is well-catered for.

The water jug/coffee pot used to be wheeled out more frequently for coffee after dinner, but even that pastime seems to have gone out of vogue, and it's certainly not one I participate in, unless I'm planning a very late night, otherwise my tendency to insomnia gets a huge boost. And who needs that?

And it's not that the silver doesn't get cleaned. I'm in the happy position of having someone to do that with enough regularity that it shines as prettily as it should.

A silver four piece bachelor's coffee service, Richard Comyns, London 1931, in George I style, each piece of baluster, pedestal form, with fretwork detail, comprising a side pouring coffee pot and hot water jug, 18cm high, a sugar bowl, 5cm high, and a cream jug, 7cm high, total weight approximately 35oz (4), sold for GBP320.

Oarsman and awesome

Rare sculpture of a man with oars by Demay and Fraisse. Excellent condition. circa 1930.Very high quality. Size is 18" EUR950

Hard to find D H Chiparus sculpture of a man. Wonderful bronze antique patina. Marble base. Circa 1930. Size is 16.5" x 10" x 4". EUR680

These are two sculptures for sale from one of my favourite stores, French Cab Gallery in Vichy: http://frenchcab.com/

Although I've often said that I'm not a huge fan of the Art Deco period, I am constantly drawn to the sculpture from that period, and I think these two pieces demonstrate that timeless quality.

When a copy becomes collectible

These two antique figurines were sold at auction recently for USD1,000. They carry what looks like a Meissen mark.

And these two figurines are ones I bought a very long time ago, which carry the "Chelsea" mark.

Actually neither pair are by Meissen or Chelsea, but they are the work of Samson of Paris.

Ironic really when it is possible that Samson was a forger. He began his career in the 1830s, essentially to make service and set piece replacements. The history is slightly muddied, suggesting that the company either drew "inspiration" from other factories, or directly copied them. He was "inspired by" Meissen, Sevres, Chelsea and Derby, and the firm also copied famille rose and famille verte, and Imari.

It is believed that Samson did not set out to deceive, and all copies were distinctly marked to avoid confusion with the originals, but many products have been passed off as originals.

But, as fashion changes, the auction price achieved suggests that these copies are now considered collectible, and obviously quite valuable.

I am pleased to note that I paid less than USD100 for my pair, and their display went out of favour (in my eyes) many eons ago, and they have remained wrapped in tissue and boxed, until I photographed them today.

A happy find. But they've gone back in the box!

These are a few of my favourite things

Panels formed from two wallpapers, one a negative of the other, separated by a border of paint.

Fretwork panels mirror the rug, and the classic mix of blue and yellow.

Black and white and red all over.

Black and white doors and bold stripes of linoleum make a bold impression.

All images from House & Garden, chosen by Wendy Harrop and Gabby Deeming.

The use of geometric pattern is highly effective, and for someone who likes symmetry, very desirable.

The other Venice

Bangkok used to be referred to as "the Venice of the East" because of its canals, or "klongs", most of which are now sealed. The first three images are of the Royal Barge Procession which marked the 60th Anniversary of the Accession of the King of Thailand in 2006, and which on this and other occasions, takes place on the appropriately named "River of Kings", the Chao Phyra river, upon which the city was founded in 1782 by the first monarch of the existing Chakri dynasty, when the capital of Siam moved from neighbouring Thonburi, and prior to that from Ayutthaya.

With my recent references to Venice, I thought it might be interesting to share a comparison, which is more easily discernable in the Canaletto "A regatta on the Grand Canal" c.1733-4, from the Royal Collection (of Queen Elizabeth II), which includes 50 paintings and 150 drawings by Canaletto, purchased by George III in 1762, from the British merchant banker and later consul, Joseph Smith.

A different perspective

Apart from its justifiable acknowledgement as one of the great architectural wonders of the world, Venice is probably the city most painted by artists, with results both good and bad.

Whilst I enjoy Canaletto's many perspectives, these two by John Bratby RA (1928-1992) are for sale at Christie's on 12 December, and worthy of mention. Top: From a gondola, Venice estimated at GBP8-12k. Lower: Canal Bridge, Venice estimated at GBP8-12k.

Apart from the stunning architecture, interiors and art, the food, if you avoid the obvious traps, rarely disappoints. One evening after dinner, and in a pliable mood from good vino, we were persuaded by a gondolier to take a journey through the darkened canals, which however corny it may sound, was a truly romantic experience. And yes, he sang O sole mio too.

Provenance makes perfect

From the same Christie's auction this picture by Sir Winston Churchill, A view of Marrakech is up for sale with an estimate of GBP400-600k. A name to conjure with, clearly.

That sinking feeling

Chiesa dei Miracoli

Basilica della Salute

Punta della Dogana

Venice, one of the great architectural wonders of our time, has experienced its worst flooding in more than 20 years with 95% of the city submerged, and tourists in St Mark's Square left thigh deep in icy water. Vide:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5266829.ece

Images: hand printed cards by Rosario Morra

Welcome

The pineapple has long been a symbol of welcome. Native to southern parts of Brazil and Paraguay, it was spread by peoples in these areas to other parts of South America and the Caribbean where it was discovered by Columbus, who brought it back with him to Europe, and through European colonies, (such as the Philippines), it was cultivated in other areas of the world.

It was grown in hothouses in Europe, and the first picture, by Hendrik Danckerts, shows the first home grown pineapple in England being presented to Charles II in 1675.

Pineapples are grown locally in Thailand, which is the largest producer in the world, and when juiced make a nutritious start to the day. My over sized cut glass goblet, (second picture), is an entirely suitable and fitting receptacle for the fruit before it undergoes its dissection prior to juicing.

In Scotland, the Dunmore Pineapple in the grounds of Dunmore House, was a folly built in 1761 by the Earl of Dunmore, who had previously been the governor of the Bahamas, where the fruit is also grown.

Its rarity made it not only a symbol of hospitality, but also of power and wealth. It was incorporated into architectural elements, interior decoration, fabrics and furniture.