On a pedestal

The problem of what to place on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square has exercised the minds of the good and the great for a considerable number of years.

The current solution is to invite members of the public to make an exhibition of themselves.

On our recent visit to the National Gallery an opera singer was unceremoniously lowered onto the plinth for his few minutes of fame. He chose to sing arias and to persuade the great unwashed gathered beneath him of the virtues of opera. Unfortunately the wind carried his voice far far away, so that perhaps only Nelson could hear him. It also sprayed the water from one of the nearby fountains, adding to the vagries of London's "summer" weather.

The beautiful St Martin-in-the-Fields designed by James Gibbs in 1721 has recently undergone restoration, and its cleaned stone shines brightly in the north east corner of the square.

All of this a brief interlude before facing the inevitable crowds in the gallery, which made for a rather focused visit.

A touch of the vapours

Louis XVI-style Fruitwood Lit du Jour, the cushioned and bolstered seat flanked to either side by a padded and domed end, each end with a floral-carved crest and flanked to each side by a freestanding fluted circular upright, the whole raised on fluted, tapering circular legs ending in peg feet, h. 39", inside w. 32-1/2", l. 74-1/2", outside w. 36", l. 77".

Louis XVI-style Fruitwood Lit du Jour, the cushioned bolstered seat flanked to either side by high padded ends, each end with a stop-fluted crest and flanked to either side by a freestanding stop-fluted pilaster, headed by a pineapple finial, the ends joined by a fluted rail, the whole raised on fluted, tapering circular legs, h. 55-1/2", inside w. 39", l. 77", outside w. 42", l. 79".

Both of these day beds are up for auction this weekend, and I assume by "Louis XVI-style" they are copies, and possibly by the same furniture maker, but I can't help feeling that the top piece is much more in proportion than the lower one. "Louis XVI-style" is perhaps a bit of poetic licence too, as furniture of that period was more elaborate.

Using a daybed as a room dividing device is quite useful, but you would be hard pressed in the case of the latter.

In the pink?

The interest in all things related to hunting as a design theme remains strong, despite the obvious distaste by some for this activity. The stuffed "equestrian" fox doll (30x16x12") rather throws the whole concept into disarray. Is its decorative element sufficient to mask the reality?



A more traditional oil of an C18th rider in his pinks also glorifies the event.




A set of stirrup cups in the shape of fox heads also has a bizarre context.

And finally, a print of a master and two riders before the hunt, from a painting by Sir Alfred Munnings.

Fox hunting with dogs was banned in Britain in 2005, but the law is viewed with contempt by those who live in the countryside, and who derived a living from the activity. As an elitist sport the ban was considered purely as an element of class warfare.

It is likely that the ban will be repealed when the present government is removed next year. For many who live in the country the return of the fox, destroying livestock, would justify this action. Seeing foxes in cities now is not uncommon, where they scavenge from refuse before it is collected, leaving a trail of debris. Domestic animals are also their prey.

A river runs through it

Thanks to the very kind endeavours of Meg at Pigtown Design, I was able to get my copy shop to paste together 6 of the 25 images of the Michel Etienne Turgot C18th map of Paris, and this has now replaced the silk fabric with its multicoloured dragonflies, that used to be in the window panel of my guest loo.

The angle at which I have to take the photograph, (to avoid the wall of mirror that faces you as you enter the loo), means that my shot doesn't perhaps give you the impact that this new effect produces.

But I have to say, I'm very pleased with the result. And very grateful to Meg for her computer and Photoshop skills.

And now a river really does run through my loo. The Seine.

Bubble and trouble

The Widow Clicquot's brew kicked off a a charming and memorable celebration of an anniversary, which was so impromptu in its design that it turned out to be the greatest fun. Waterford in its best form was given justice too!

What were they thinking?

I suppose it's no surprise Waterford went into liquidation earlier this year, when they decided to start producing tat like this. Although as I recall they said it was the lack of tat like this that was the cause of their demise; people no longer wanted to buy the good glass, (which didn't cost peanuts). I shall be using my (Curraghmore) champagne flutes tonight to toast a rather important anniversary, of the partnership variety.

Mrs Thomas Babington regrets

Sir Thomas Lawrence British, 1769-1830), "Mrs. Thomas Babington" (died 1845), circa 1811, half length, wearing a white empire gown with a peach shawl, jeweled brooch, hair tied in a scarf, written in script verso lining and possibly transposed from original: "Jean Babington 1811 Et L3/Wife of Thos. Babington of Rothley Temple Esq. M.P. Daughter of Revd John Macaulay/Sir Thos Lawrence fecit", oil on canvas, 30-1/8 x 25-3/8 in.; period carved and formerly gilt wood Maratta frame (frame style used by Lawrence); in 1787 she married Thomas Babington of Rothley Temple, Leicestershire. She was the aunt of the historian Lord Macaulay".


My endeavours at the auction house on Saturday fell short, and this Lawrence slipped through my grasp. Bidding started at USD15,000 and the estimate suggested an upper range of USD30,000. It sold for USD41,000. I believe this is a fair market value, but it exceeded my limit by a sufficient margin. Another Lawrence (of the Earl of Abercorn) in the same sale sold for USD27,000, and although within my limit, was not sufficiently pleasing (to my eye) to bid on.

Columnist regrets too.

Show of strength

This powerful picture by Albert Herter (American, 1871-1950) of Mohamed Ben Hadge Abdeslam Djedidi/A Tunisian Portrait, c. 1925, oil on canvas, 45 1/2 x 26 in. (115.6 x 66.0 cm) sold yesterday at auction by Skinner of Massachusetts for USD20,000. It's opening bid price was a mere USD400 and it was estimated to achieve USD800-1,200. Although I placed a bid substantially over the estimate, what it has achieved is remarkable, and probably quite realistic. I was attracted to other works by Herter, and my research led me to believe that there was some likelihood that the price might run away. It certainly did.

In proportion

These two images of a gallery (above) and cupola at the Victoria & Albert Museum demonstrate in a monumental way the power of height in interior spaces. The substantial columns only enhance that effect.

The two architectural models from the Architectural Exhibition Gallery at the V&A were only two of many that caught my eye. I had hoped to purchase an architectural model as an interior design piece, but these rather diminished those available in the retail sector.

Less monumental, but in proportion are these two images of the drawing room and dining room at the castle where we stayed in August, bathed in their subdued lighting. I so miss the ceiling height that these Georgian interiors offer, and which make any space very forgiving of whatever style or interior design you choose.

O-nine-o-nine-o-nine

Public convenience

Whilst in London recently a shopping quest, for something of insignificance that I can no longer recall, required a visit to the King's Road. It coincided with a call of nature, and I remembered from last year's visit that the Saatchi Gallery, at the Duke of York's HQ, just off the King's Road, had rather good lavatorial facilities, (which as most people know, are not easy to find in any city). Accordingly, that public convenience led us to very briefly explore the exhibition currently on show at the gallery, which included these two "pieces". I really don't quite know how else to describe them. Anyway, I thought the main purpose of the visit to the gallery and these exhibits therein were ironically very suited.

This theme was ably assisted by passing by this shoe shop either to or from the gallery, which must have been the message the two artists in the gallery had in mind for their audience when they conceived these two... (fill in the blanks).

Aberrations these certainly are!

As they ask in London: "are they 'avin' a laugh?!"

Beloved Albert

Queen Victoria's devotion to her beloved Albert is well-recorded in her journals, and great swathes of London are dedicated to his memory, including the Albert Memorial (above, glinting in the afternoon sun) in Hyde Park, opposite the Albert Hall. My picture seems to have given it a Pisa-effect, but there is no subsidence, and only my astigmatism to blame.

The memorial to both husband and wife, or queen and consort in their case, is the instructive and visit-worthy Victoria & Albert Museum, where I whiled away a couple of hours, in particular to view the Architectural Exhibition Gallery, but also the art collection, and the very many other beauties on offer.

It amuses me slightly that I lived only a few minutes away from the V&A, when I was beginning my career in financial services, as a trainee for an international bank at the tender age of 18. I know I did visit the museum then, but not with any great enthusiasm, and certainly not with the passion I have for these establishments now. I know too I wasn't completely averse to culture per se, (I believe these characteristics are innate), but the impatience of youth, and the tendency not to go and see and do the things right on your doorstep made me attempt these excursions gingerly.

Happily this imbalance can be rectified quite easily today and have given a great deal of meaning and pleasure to this part of my life, albeit at the expense and inconvenience of long distance travel.

I thought the exquisite Dale Chihuly chandelier was a beautiful juxtaposition with the lit ornate neo Gothic gilded panel, as depicted in the other two pictures, displaying one of my favourite themes, of mixing the very best of modern and antique. Clearly others disagree...

Not unlike a naive 18 year old trainee banker with a polished sophisticate. Oh, whatever! Clearly the jet-lag is still affecting my brain.