Without limit

As in not within my limit. I was rather taken with this picture of a Lady with a Plumed Hat, attributed to Gainsborough Dupont, the nephew of Sir Thomas Gainsborough. But, as always, I had strict parameters for bidding, and sadly my limit was eclipsed by the winner. But only just. Another "one that got away", but I take a fatalistic view of these things - it was not meant to be. Back to the drawing board. Or the canvas, in this case.

Papering the walls

A SET OF EIGHT CHINESE WALLPAPER HANGINGS EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Decorated with various birds, butterflies and insects amongst bamboo and trailing flowers, above peony bushes, backed on later paper scrolls, seven with moulded end-strips attached for hanging purposes

106 x 46 in. (269.5 x 117 cm.) (8)

I noticed Christie's have these 8 panels of wallpaper for auction at their sale in London on 14 April, with an estimate of GBP8-12,000. Unfortunately not much additional information about where they were manufactured, but I suspect these things were not so well catalogued for an item that was fairly mundane.

My own Treasure Hunt

The National Trust, (England's premier heritage charity) "protects and opens to the public over 350 historic houses, gardens and ancient monuments...they also look after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages...etc"

Little Augury introduced me to the excellent blog written by Emile de Bruijn, and I have recently been in touch with him on a number of subjects. He mentioned that he had seen the Chinoiserie wallpaper fragment I have framed in my dining room, (above), and the similarity between it and that in the bedroom of Belton House, in Lincolnshire. His post Visions of the east shows that wallpaper, and detail from it. There do appear to be similarities, in some parts.

Now I need to conduct a treasure hunt of my own, to establish provenance and context.

Thou shalt not escape "columny"

Ornament: A Social History Since 1450, Snodin and Howard. The discovery of the Corinthian, engraving from Roland Freart de Chambray, A Parallel of Ancient Architecture with the Modern, from the 1723 edition of John Evelyn's 1664 translation of Freart's book, pub. Paris 1650, from a V& A book.

I am indebted to Little Augury for sending me this delightful engraving showing the discovery, (or creation) of the Corinthian capital. According to the architectural historian Vitruvius, the column was created by the sculptor Callimachus, probably an Athenian, who drew acanthus leaves growing around a votive basket.

At the same time, this rather pretty water colour  by Louis Comfort Tiffany (American 1848-1933),  14" x 10", 'Roman Temple Ruins' is for sale at auction with an estimate of USD7,000-10,000.

I have bastardised the line from Hamlet:

If thou dost marry, I’ll give thee this plague for thy dowry.

Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, thou shalt not

escape calumny. Get thee to a nunnery, go.

 

to invent my columny*.

*although this would suggest otherwise.

Coals to Newcastle

This C19th bronze Mandalay Burmese Buddha in the top picture was purchased in Bangkok more than 10 years ago and lived with us very briefly in Hong Kong before we moved to Edinburgh. The four begging monks (C19th Burmese) were also purchased in Bangkok about 18 years ago, had a longer stint in Hong Kong, (where these photographs were taken), and then they too were shipped to Edinburgh when we moved in 2000. They form part of a small collection which we decided not to bring with us, when we came to live here nearly 7 years ago, as I wanted to avoid creating an interior that was too Thai in Thailand. At the time it seemed too much like Coals to Newcastle, or indeed Buddhas to Bangkok.

Yes, I know, Burmese Buddhas aren't exactly Thai. But many interiors here are decorated with a mass of Thai and South East Asian antiques, and I wanted to avoid going down that road.

As time has progressed we have both missed these artifacts, which along with a few other pieces, including this pair of C19th red lacquer Peking wedding chests, are in storage in Scotland. Whilst there are many Buddhas for sale here, of varying degrees of authenticity, I have never been tempted to buy another for myself. And indeed, it is rare to find one with a similar face. For me buying a Buddha statue has always been about the face, and the smile. Ours has a smile of peace and tranquility, which is extremely rewarding, and I suppose is the whole point of them.

There now appear to be a profusion of begging monks in the large antique resource here in Bangkok, at the River City shopping complex, but all of recent creation, and none of them with the sincerity that is evident in the craftsman's endeavours, visible in the four that we are fortunate enough to own.

Recently I came across this Chinese Buddha for sale at auction:

Chinese Ming - Qing gilt wood Shakyamuni Buddha

with right hand pointing to the floor (a sign of victory against the evil), with red ground. Provenance: From the collection of Victor Oppenheim, the "Father of Columbian Geology." 25"H, Circa - 17th - 18th C.

Whilst undoubtedly an extremely beautiful piece, I am very surprised at the sale price of USD45,000 - well above its top estimate of USD15,000.

I also noted in a recent House & Garden the begging monks of Sir James & Lady Dyson, (of eponymous vacuum cleaner fame, although "I'm just going to Dyson the sitting room" doesn't quite have the cachet of its more famous, though arguably less efficient counterpart).

Image: House & Garden

Whilst these monks are visually pretty, and Deidre Dyson has created much more interest around them by the clever use of blues on the pillars in the flat, I have a feeling they are circa yesterday. Or possibly more recent.

Re-posted with new images.

Art imitating life

William Brigham (Am., 1834-1863), "Fiducits"

Wm. Doyle Galleries New York, NY; Prominent Private Collection.

This picture is based on the German song Fiducits, ("Cheers"), and was sold at auction yesterday for USD7,000. Finding its listing coincided with a decision in our household to go on the wagon, so the last verse, loosely translated herebelow, seemed particularly apt.

I was only partially taken with the picture, as I thought the look of fear whilst interesting, was not really something I would like to view regularly.

(7) As the glasses clinked three others
And were gradually empty:
 "FIDUCITS, gay brother!"
Who drank not a drop more.

from

Fiducits by Elias Salomon

Escape

Well, you rather hope so anyway. This is one of several new items from French Cab, a purveyor of exquisite Art Deco pieces.

A cover up

These images are from January's House & Garden, and show the London house of Annabel Astor, one of the founders of OKA, which provides useful and relatively stylish items for the home by mail order, rather like a Pottery Barn equivalent.

Lady Astor, who may soon become the mother-in-law of Britain's next Prime Minister has extensively used a device that others have employed - covering books with monochromatic colours, as explained under "3" of House & Garden's "Copy That" page, above.

I've often thought of doing the same myself, but wonder whether I can devote enough time to a fairly mind-numbing exercise, and indeed whether the effect created is too contrived. Well, of course it's contrived, but is the visual impact pleasing enough? I can't make up my mind, but as I noted, it would be a rather long and laborious endeavour only to discover at the end of it that I rather preferred my books with their own covers.

What would you do? 

Desire

Unusual Blonde Oak and Slate-Top Architectural Center Table, the rectangular charcoal slate top raised on a base in the form of a classical temple, the frieze of traditional form with triglyphs and metopes raised on a series of fluted Doric column supports, the base in the form of a stepped floor, h. 33-1/2", w. 62-1/2", d. 30-1/2".

One way I could happily commemorate my second anniversary date for blogging, today, would be to buy myself this stunning table, at auction next week. But then I'd have to stump up USD7,000-10,000 that it is estimated to achieve, which would be wildly extravangant, to say nothing of the shipping from New Orleans to Bangkok. So, unless someone surprises me, a more realistic alternative, will be to make it a virtual gift to myself. Much more practical really, all round.

Coromandel

Coromandel Screen

Ming Dynasty Coromandel screen

In her usual inimitable style, Cote de Texas wrote about Rose Tarlow in this post, which has resulted in some lively exchanges. However, what particularly interested me was Tarlow's use of Coromandel screens in two design schemes, (pictures 4 & 5 of Cote de Texas's post, reproduced here below). Screens generally, but Coromandel screens in particular are a very effective design device. I particulary like the depth that is provided by the rich textures and dark colouring.

The creation of these screens originated in China in the C16th, and the name derives from the Coromandel Coast in India where screens and other furnishings from China were loaded onto ships carrying goods to Europe, in the C17th.

Six panel

Twelve panel - much more impact and drama.

Outside the box

The benefit of balconies around the entire apartment is not always immediately obvious in this climate. We have airconditioning on all the time, and it is too hot to sit outside during the day. But at night, there are often great breezes, usually from the west, and during the low humidity months it is delightful to sit and enjoy the bright lights, big city views.

The other very important feature that the balconies provide is the protective shade from the sun, afforded by the overhang of the one upstairs, and the sense of security to anyone who suffers from vertigo. These elements seem to be missing from newer buildings being constructed, which have floor to ceiling glass, and no sun visor and a sheer drop, which makes for very hot rooms, or even higher electricity bills, and a certain amount of trepidation, even to someone who is unaffected by the phobia of looking out over great heights.

Putting on the Ritz

A visit from an old friend we haven't seen for seven years, (at the funeral of his long time partner), galvanised us out of our lethargy as far as giving dinner parties. Fish pie as the main course allowed for not too onerous service by the hosts and this was nicely complemented by Pinot Grigio. Several bottles, it would seem from this morning's clear up. It's good to catch up.

Sadly the candles misbehaved and one of the candleshades fell and sliced the top off the antique ladle in the centrepiece tureen. But it's a clean break and Superglue will come to the rescue. Hardier candles are hard to find in this neck of the woods. 

Funnily enough I had a premonition that this might happen, but in my imagination the damage was to one of the glasses, and replacing this Waterford pattern is not an easy task, so I am relieved, even if my sensory perception is failing.

Changing faces

This article from today's Daily Telegraph provides for me one of the most appealing aspects of art - the historical context. It's not surprising to note that there was recycling, even to the extent of changing the face of the subject. If this likeness of Queen Elizabeth I is a true one, there is also perhaps a better understanding of why she remained a "virgin". The detail of her dress is exquisite, as if to underscore the failing in her beauty.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch

Ice in the river

Frozen lake, (foregound)

Lake to the right

View from the castle

View from the castle

Castle view, west

These pictures from Scotland are evidence of the severe winter they have been enduring, which involved a loss of electricity for two days, and an inability to leave the castle because both drives were impassable. It's a reminder that the reality of country living can be hazardous, however romantic the notion.

Black & White

This image, from Uniquely Singapore shows a black and white house, many of which still exist in Singapore, and which are a legacy of the British colonial empire in Singapore and Malaysia. I wrote recently about one such house here, and another is featured in the New York Times piece here, and from which the following picture is taken:

What is obvious in the house featured in the NYT article, even if the decoration doesn't overwhelm you, is the spaciousness, and the obvious grandeur of the Twenties' architecture.

Singapore was my birthplace, and here is a photo of me being wheeled around the garden - rather unkempt by the look of it - by my "black and white" amah, a fiesty woman who joined our staff when I was born. By all accounts, she protected me like her own, (although she never had any children, in observance of the tradition of celibacy).