Have a Horribly Happy Halloween!

Here are a few suitably scary, sepia enhanced images from 18th, 19th & early 20th century French printed toiles... Have a horrific Halloween folks!

67 unused miniature French 19thc purse frames

I particularly like this batch of 67 unused late 19th century miniature metal purse frames that I found yesterday as the 3 different designs here are good examples of the 3 main decorative trends of the late 19th and early 20th century: The celtic design is a lovely example of an Arts & Crafts piece both in the bold celtic design and the rounded shape of the frame, the small flowing leaf is a very delicate example of the Art Nouveau style set within a slightly square but still rounded frame-shape, and finally the largest frame is more typically late Victorian, both in its shape and the style of the dainty, more naturalistic flowers.

Measuring about 2"/5cms across, they could easily be turned into period purses.
There are only a handful of the Victorian and Art Nouveau ones, but lots of the celtic Arts & Crafts style. I shall put them on my website later today, please contact me via the website email if you are interested.

www.morgaine-le-fay.co.uk

Two 19th c pelmets possibly manufactured at Nantes or Alsace & Bolbec or Rouen

Here are two early 19th century French printed toile pelmets, one commemorative with some scenes from the history of Mary Queen of Scots, the other showing classical Greek scenes. They both date to somewhere about 1810-30. The red toile is plate printed in a traditional, slightly old fashioned style and most likely comes from Bolbec or Rouen as both regions are known to have produced very similar versions of this design. I am not sure about the purple toile, but I have a feeling it was manufactures at Nantes or possibly Alsace. It may be a bit earlier than the other one as it is a very neoclassical 'Empire' design, simple and elegant.

Both pelmets are currently listed on my website: www.morgaine-le-fay.co.uk

Regency Silkwork c1810-20

I have begun to update the website, here is one of the new pieces listed in the embroidery section, a wonderful framed and glazed Regency Silkwork picture in very good condition.

www.morgaine-le-fay.co.uk

The Most perfect present: Daisy my new English Wooden doll

Imagine my surprise and delight when I opened an unexpected mystery parcel from Canada to find this incredibly beautiful reproduction English wooden doll made secretly for me for my 50th birthday by David of The Old Pretenders who, together with Paul, make the finest museum quality reproductions and restorations of 17th and 18th century English wooden dolls.

We have been friends for a while now and I source authentic scraps of fabric from the period for them to dress their creations wherever possible, and we often chatter away about life, the universe and everything via email. I have always loved these dolls with a passion, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would own one, especially such a beautiful girl, who so reminds me of my daughter when she was a wee bairn! Her name is Daisy, she is about 14"/35.5cms tall, and has the most perfect patina with the most delicate eyelashes and brows. Thank you David, you have made a dream come true...

www.morgaine-le-fay.co.uk