Decor Trend: Bordallo Pinheiro Cabbage Plates

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Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage plates are made in Portugal and started in 1884. The artist created everyday objects in the Majolica style. However when Portugal’s borders closed due to dictatorship, other artists such as Dodie Thayer emulated his style. Now borders are open and his designs remain extremely popular today – and i would argue are reaching new heights in popularity as they are currently displayed front in center at Williams Sonoma.

peony table setting

Now I don’t own Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage but I do have some of his other green plates, as pictured above! Below is from Williams Sonoma! I LOVE IT!! It is so perfect for Easter or Spring!

Now the cabbage plates don’t just come in green… but multiple other colors too! I love the blue and deep purple/aubergine!

photo sources: top left // top middle // top right // large bottom

Read my earlier post about Lettuce Ware here

Article source for historical info in first paragraph at House Beautiful.

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A lesson on Hankies #4 Appenzell Swiss Whitework Embroidery & Appenzell Style Hankies

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Some of my most popular posts are when I write about my fascination with hankies.  I wrote about hankies in the following posts:

Hanky Primer #1 Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #2 More Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #3 Embroidered & Petit point Hankies

I am not sure when my fascination with Appenzell began, but all whitework embroidery always catches my eye.  I think I was the only person interested in buying hankies at estate sales for years, and I tried to keep it a secret, I mean who buys antique hankies?

What is it?  That is my question.  Appenzell?  Madeira?   Reticella?   Hong Kong?  China?

Most people call this Appenzell, while some say it is from China.  The Tourism Board from Appenzell has a video on Youtube describing how embroidery is done.

Click here to see on You Tube

The video discusses the history of embroidery in the region.  In Appenzell, Switzerland, embroidery has been a cottage industry for hundreds of years.   In the early 1800’s, whitework embroidery really gained foothold.  Famine in the country made it possible to earn a living embroidering.   According to annatextiles.ch, two Frenchwomen gave an embroidery course in Appenzell in 1818.

The work would go to spa cities, where the wealthy would place custom orders.  Example of hanky from the St. Gallen Museum, 2nd half of 19th century.

from annatextiles.ch

Appenzell hand embroidery really gained foothold around 1820, with the women of farm families doing the work. Machine embroidery was developed in 1850 which did the work of 40 people.  Hand embroidery was still done with 70-90 stitches in use.  Many different individuals would work on the same piece, with each person specializing in a certain technique.

By 1880, fine hand embroidery was on the decline, and was confined to Appenzell Innerrhoden.  By 1920 half the women in the region did the embroidery to bring income into the household.  Most farms were too small to support a family with income, so more income had to be generated.   By WW2 there were 3500 women embroidering, with school girls working 3-7 hours a day on school days, and 12 hours a day on holidays.  After the war, embroidery began to fall from favor, and the number of embroiderers dropped to 2000.

The ink you see is caused by a pricking device used to punch holes in the finished drawing.  Graphite dust was then placed over the holes, to transferring the design to the cloth.  It was then fixed with something to keep it from smearing.  The video shows them spraying it.

The video talks about how the designs were limited by the artist, and people profiles were added after 1914 after the influence of an artist.

Some photos of work from the video are displayed below.

I feel the photos above are of items made in the 19th century, based on what I saw in the museum.

In the 20’s, a hanky would sell from 50 to 500 Swiss francs depending on the complexity.  I couldn’t find a way to convert that to today’s dollars.

Earlier this year I managed to add a trip to the Appenzell Museum in Switzerland to a trip itinerary.
I did not have a lot of time to plan the trip, so I picked the Appenzell Museum because of the film I saw above. (If you are planning a trip, please add St. Gallen Museum to your list, I didn’t have time, but should have added it due to their much larger textile collection.)

We had a car so it was nice to wander through the Austrian countryside to Switzerland.   The weather was typical spring– rain.  That is not unusual, and just reminded me of Portland, Oregon.

I love exploring  the countryside rather than trying to drive in big cities in a foreign country.  I do love traffic circles, so much that sometimes we have to circle twice trying to figure out which way to go.
Of course, no drive through the country is complete with out pictures of cows…

goats…..

sheep…..

frolicking……

We made it to Appenzell.  The museum does close at noon, so this was literally a 20 minute tour.  There are many floors, but I asked to be pointed towards embroidery, and off we went.

I had to speed tour the exhibit.  I was looking for “true Appenzell” embroidery, so I could be able to recognize it.   What I am about to share with you was photographed through glass so the photos are not very good, but they are better than nothing.

Fist I would like to share with you a photograph of a woman from the turn of the century in costume, beautifully embroidered.

Check out some of the details on one of the collars.  Notice the motifs and embroidery techniques used.  They loved using these little needle lace wheel inserts that looks alot like reticella.   They are excellent at padded satin stitch, and many types of buratto work (that open lattice looking work)
Below is another collar.
Click on the photo, and then right click on it to get the popup menu and select “Open in new tab”.  You can then click again and see the photo enlargement.

The collar below has bunny rabbits embroidered on it–how charming.

I couldn’t find dates on each collar,, but one date in this display cabinet said from the 1840’s.

The needle lace “wheels” in Appenzell embroidery remind me alot of Italian Reticella lace.  In one display they had a number of pieces of Reticella:

I can’t read German very well, and alot of my photos turned out blurry without a tripod, so we have to make do with what I have here.   (Sammlung means collection).

It was very popular to insert needle lace, and here is a fine example of inserted “wheels” (my words).

The wheel below has 4 of those circles in the center of the wheel.  Notice the “petal” structure in the cloth below– it is same as the collar above.  However the leaves below are very artistic, with half padded satin stitch, and half seed stitches.  I see this technique used on alot of Madeira embroidery.

In addition to the little needle lace inserts, you see a lot of open type buratto work, drawnwork in the background.   The sampler below is a great representation of technique.  Don’t forget to right click on the photo and open it in a new tab so you can blow it up and look at the different techniques.

In the museum and in the video, they reference the need to indicate authentic appenzell work with a label

I’ve seen hankies with this label, but labels don’t always survive, so I thought I would share with you hankies I saw in the museum.   I notice that the work from the 1800’s is different from the work in the 1900’s.  The fabric is different, more of a sheer batiste vs. linen, and the designs are more ornate.

This group of hankies is from the 1870’s:

I am not sure of the age of the hankies below.  It is similar to many hankies I own.

Aren’t these hankies lovely and delicate!

The hankies below are from the 1900’s

The item below is not a hanky, but typical Appenzell– a tablecloth.

The hankies below do look like some of the hankies we see today on Ebay.

I kept digging.  I am looking for hankies that say Appenzell, and found one on the internet from an old Ebay auction.  This did not have an Appenzell label that I recall, but it did have a Swiss box.  It may have had a label, but I didn’t save the photo. Stoffels was a textile company in St. Gallen (the marketing HQ for Appenzell, basically).  Original box, tissue and ribbon.

The next photo is of a hanky that has an original label on it:  It has two labels, one says Hand Work Brode Main, and the other Schmid-Linder 6000 Lucerne Switzerland.  It came in an original envelope that says Appenzell Swiss Made Alba. 

As you can see, these two examples are two degrees of quality– both likely from the 20th century.   The top hanky is truly typical of many that you see on Ebay as Appenzell.   I remembered I had an Appenzell box called Appenzell effect.

The embroidery is cute, but not the same type that I am trying to research.  However it does show you the style of flower that was embroidered.

I tried to see if anyone else has made the comparison on the internet.  I found Elizabeth Kurella, on her website, did have a comparison of Appenzell vs. China:

Lacemerchant.com

Click to enlarge

Chinese / Swiss

She notes that Chinese fabric is more open, less stable, the thread less silky, the stitches not consistent, the ladderwork looser, motifs more graceful.  The petals are tapered on the hanky on the right.  ( I purchased her Whitework hanky book, a great book if you collect 19th century hankies.  I’ll settle for owning at least one in her book!!!)

So where were the hankies made that were imported from the 20’s to the 60’s?   Well, the answer lies with a company in Hong Kong called the Swatow Lace Company, incorporated in 1924 and dissolved in 1964. There is a pinterest board that has more information on the Swatow Lace Company.  They have a photo of a hanky with a label.  The hanky is marked $18.50

. Honestly, I’m not too impressed with the level of detail.Detail, embroidered linen handkerchief.

Here is another hanky with the same label, ebay auction.
Here is a vintage box with a Swatow label from Ebay:

The Swatow Lace Company marketed hankies from a town of Swatow, which was 180 miles from Hong Kong.  I found an article here about the town of Swatow and how the embroidery trade stopped when it was taken over by the communists in 1949.  This was a cottage industry,  embroidery made by farmers families, just like in Appenzell, Switzerland.   Prior to that, Swatow produced 24,000,000 handkerchiefs a year!  The fine hankies would sell for $50/dozen wholesale, and sold in the U.S. for $20 each.  That was a lot of money in the ’40’s.  So roughly half of the hankies on the world market came from Switzerland, and half came from Swatow.

Everyone says that this embroidery is a lost art and almost no one has the skill to do it anymore.  I keep thinking about how that may not be true.  I went looking for current imports of hankies and look what I found made in China:






It appears that the new hankies are more over the top– they are completely covered with embroidery, right through the center.  Much of the embroidery has a Asian design influence, cranes, etc.  The designs seem a bit more angular than the older Swatow/ Appenzell hankies.  They certainly are worth looking at for purchase– the amount of labor that it took to make these is incredible. 


I think my hankies are vintage and look different from the new stuff coming out today.


I have been studying my hankies to see if there is a difference between them, the embroidery, the linen, etc.

The China hanky is on top.  (above).  Below, is a closeeup of the China hanky.

How do I know?  Well I bought it because it has a label in it.  From a San Francisco dealer.  Given the age of China town, who knows how old it is.  I think the linen is equivalent to hankies I see with Irish Linen stickers on it.  The sticker below really looks vintage, doesn’t it.


The take-away that I have from all of this research is that there were two embroidery centers a world apart, and not only were their labors over hankies the same, they had the same family life, of growing up in a farm setting, unable to make ends meet with farming, and women and children sacrificed everything making beautiful works of art.

Here are some of my hankies that I think are Appenzell 20th century.   They are totally encrusted with embroidery.   You can click on the hankies and look at enlarged photos.  (Right click the second time)

I really like the circular design of roses on the one below

I think the one below may be early 1900’s.

Comparing the linen to the older Appenzell hankies, all the ones below look like the tight weave of the early hankies.  Remember, they also look the the hanky in the Stoffels box from St. Gallen.

I used the one below to make a ring bearer pillow.  We added a silk peony on top for fun.  (A great wedding idea!)

Ring Bearer Appenzell Hanky Pillow

My conclusion is that each hanky must stand on its own merit,  Unless you actually have a label, you may not be able to determine the origin.  If you love the design of the hanky, the workmanship stitching is well done, you should consider it for that reason.

If you are interested in purchasing an encrusted hanky on eBay, they are often listed as “pulled thread” hankies or Appenzell hankies.  Using those words in a search should help you find one that you love.  They are a fabulous present for a bride to carry.  I made the ring bearer pillow out of an Appenzell hanky.  You can purchase them for as low as $35, although many websites sell them for as much as $400.   The average price on eBay is in the $80- $100, at least this year.     I am talking about the 20th century hankies, not the 19th century hankies, which range from $150-$600.

Thoughts?   Please keep in mind I am not a professional researcher, I am merely a linen lover who is trying to figure out what I have. I am amazed that I was able to get as far as I did without help. Anyone have an Appenzell catalog or a Swatow catalog to share?

I have focused on 20th century Appenzell hankies.  I would like to follow up with an article on 19th century hankies.  If you’d like to continue reading about hankies, here are links to my other articles.

Hanky Primer #1 Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #2 More Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #3 Embroidered & Petit point Hankies
Hanky Primer #4 Appenzell & Appenzell Style Hankies

If you have any information on these Appenzell or Swatow hankies, please let me know.

 

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A Lesson on Hankies #3: Embroidered and Petit Point Hankies

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.
Photos are copyrighted and may not be used without my permission!
 
Your guide to learn all about antique monogrammed hankies. This is the third post of a series of four on antique hankies and linens. This is a repost of an old blog post for those that may have missed it the first time around.
This primer is about embroidered hankies.  There is very little written on collecting embroidered hankies, and I feel that sharing a huge amount of photos is the best way to educate you on hankies.  Many people are concerned about where a hanky was made.  I am more concerned about the quality of what is in my hand, rather than whether it still has a label attached.   However, if you’re not able to judge well, buying hankies with a label is a way to start a collection.

A collection doesn’t have to be 300 hankies–you can just purchase a dozen to put in that antique box.  Think about your guest room.  What do you have in the nightstand drawer?  A box on the dresser?  How about that top drawer in the dresser.  Wouldn’t it be amazing to open it up, and have a wonderful display of hankies in there.  Think about being a guest, and you’ve gotten up too early, because you’re on a different time zone.  You’ve already read the magazines in the room, enjoyed the water and snack left on the desk.  You don’t want to disturb anyone, but every drawer in the dresser is laid out with all these gems!

Who cares if they think you’re the crazy hanky lady.  It’s alot less work than the crazy cat lady.

Click here for Primer #1, and here for Primer #2.  Click here for using hankies under centerpieces at a wedding.   On more linens, here is a link to using antique tablecloths at a wedding.I do petitpoint myself, so admiring fine petitpoint and embroidered hankies was a natural extension of that.

Don’t forget to click on the hanky if you want to view an enlargement.

Petit Point Hankies
I have only found Switzerland stickers on petit point hankies.   They may be made elsewhere, but I’ve not seen other labels.  The fabric used to make petit point hankies tends to be a linen or cotton lawn fabric.
The photos below have 3 hankies.  The quality of all three are very high.  Check out the workmanship.  The edge is very well done.
Pansies are very popular to collect.  Think about the Victorian era and the popular flowers then–and you’ll find them on a hanky!
This is a wonderful hanky.  I’ve shown a tiny spot in the photo, but it is inconsequential based on the beautiful work–and the fact that it is embroidered in 4 corners.
This is a combination of petit point and crewel embroidery.  It is very common to combine the techniques.
This poppy is very well done.  The floral spray is very large, worthy of the best collection!
This is a wonderful hanky.  I sometimes wonder if a hanky with drawnwork isn’t made in China.   So I look for high quality work.  This passes the test.
Awesome work!  Iris is a wonderful old-fashioned flower.
Poppies are a popular theme too.  Great quality, nice colors.
I love the fact that there is a simple rose in each corner.  Nice quality, even though it is only one tine rose in each corner.
Violets are popular, they fly out when I find them.
Wonderful made in Switzerland hanky set.   I love the tiny colored embroidery.  Notice the edging isn’t as high quality is Madeira hankies.
Crewel Embroidery Hankies
These are made all over, from Switzerland to the Philippines.   Again, look for quality in the workmanship. They are works of art, so look for the thoughtful design.
Nice work,  quality embroidery.  This gets a thumbs up.
I totally love this hanky.  It’s definitely one of my favorites!  There is a border woven into the fabric,
an interesting design.  I sure hope I kept this one… it’s got to be somewhere.
These 3 hankies are a good quality.   The center hanky is interesting–you often find a single rose the the stem going from the center of the hanky.
This hanky says “ALL COTTON” MADE IN SWITZERLAND.  It’s a nice quality of heavy crewel embroidery.  You can feel the difference–it is not on linen.  Notice how the bouquet starts in the corner.  I’m baffled as sometimes they make the spray upside down.
This one is a favorite!  Don’t you just love the garden scene someone did?  I think this was amateur embroidered, but very well!
This is a wonderful hanky with applique bows, and bullion technique embroidered flowers.
Beyond cute! Between the little bird and the flower faces, who could resist?
I took the label off because I washed this adorable hanky.
Good quality, extremely fine work, great quality cloth. A real winner.
Very heavy embroidered pansies on a cotton cloth.  It’s sort of boring as the decoration is small,
but I liked the work because it is very well done crewel.
The cloth is very distinctive–made in Switzerland.  The embroidery is a nice quality.  I’ve
seen this fabric on a lot of Swiss hankies.  It’s almost like a mini-calico printed linen.
One caveat is that the edge isn’t as nicely done, it looks machine-finished to me.
Great quality on the flowers, but this is machine made. I wish I had taken a photo of the back.
Interesting, looks like someone did one petit point flower, and then switched.  It’s a really fine quality linen cloth.
This is an interesting boxed set.  They always charge more if there’s a box.  I got the set because I loved the birds.  Isn’t it cute!
Very Victorian Basket.  The crewel rose is well done, as is the basket.  However I don’t think the flowers
are a great quality. The overall look is nice.
Machine embroidered silk flower.  Really nicely done for a machine! It looks like a Royal Society Silk embroidery.
I totally love these!  Any hanky with an animal is a winner for me!
Hankies with Embroidered Borders
Embroidered borders often wind up as a bridal hanky or gift.  They can coordinate with wedding colors and are great for the bride that hates lace–and you can’t find a monogram.
Both of these are winners.  The work is amazing.   Hard to find!
I’ve seen work like this with Madeira, Switzerland and China stickers.  Look for quality work.
Similar to the 3 above, but likely Madeira.

Possibly Hong Kong or Madeira? Similar to the 4 above.
These tend to be sold as Appenzell.  If they have the grey pencil underneath that doesn’t wash out, I wonder if they are from Hong Kong.  These don’t, the two top ones are more elaborate expensive Appenzell.  They often sell on Ebay as pulled thread hankies.  I did see one on Ebay once with an Appenzell sticker.
Madeira Organdy
Made in Switzerland. Superfine quality.  Check out the work that went into attaching the border.  Hard to believe you can pick this up on Ebay for under $20.  The original price was probably around $75.
Beautiful quality work! Swiss.
Totally fabulous border! Almost always Swiss.
Madeira Applique, Shadow-work and Embroidery
Madeira hankies are very distinctive. While they are best known for the monograms, there are some very fine floral hankies.
This has applique leaves, organdy inset–alot of work. A little funky for me.
Really fabulous high quality embroidery.  Notice how the bow has an organdy insert–right through the border. I think the wheat stock is unusual. Probably has some meaning to be included in a bouquet.  Notice the border.  When you have a hanky that has a border woven into the fabric, it is almost always a more expensive hanky.
Fantastic hanky with embroidery in every corner.  Could be Madeira, could be Swiss.  The edge is hand-rolled and hand-hemmed.
You want that.  Newer ones are machine hemmed.
OMG!  Isn’t this cute.  Living in rain country (Portland, Or has only 60 sunny days/year)  I had to have this one!
It’s a Madeira hanky.  Notice that it has a border woven into the fabric.
Has the Burmel label, made in Madeira.  The most common look in Madeira floral hanky.
Slightly less elaborate than the previous Madeira hanky.
Another applique hanky.  The applique rose was enhanced with embroidery to give it more of a 3D look.
Maderia 3D Organdy Applique Hankies
These hankies are really fun.  Some collectors look only for these.
Really fun hanky–stuffed cherries.
This hanky had the original Madeira sticker.  Tough to find.  Love the grapes!  Definitely a show hanky!
Isn’t it wild!
I have to say this is my favorite—what an unusual motif!
Great blue roses!
Monster pink rose!
Care & Cleaning of Hankies

 Sure, you can throw it in the laundry in a laundry bag.  I know, most people think that’s sinful.  Just don’t put it in the dryer.  If you don’t put them in the laundry bag, they wind up going the way of the missing sock.  I will actually iron them while they are still damp.  That’s about 10 minutes out of the washer.
For serious hankies with lots of embroidery, just soak in the laundry tub for 5 minutes to 5 days in Biz.  They’ll come out good as new.  I rinse with a bit of vinegar to make sure all the soap is out.   I never use starch with linens, they say it attracts bugs.  The reason I don’t like starch is it gets on my iron and is nasty to clean up.  If you must use starch, spray it on the reverse side of the item you are ironing. I prefer to use sizing (not as heavy as starch) if I’ve got trouble with an embroidered piece that isn’t squaring up.  Don’t forget to iron it embroidery side down with a (once) fluffy towel underneath.
I don’t know if I’ve inspired you to collect hankies.  Think about carrying an emergency hanky in your purse. It can be folded up in your wallet or makeup bag.  It’s much smaller than a pack of tissues, and alot more durable.  I’m not a blow-you-nose kind of girl, but I am a cry-baby, so even if it’s a just a bad pollen day, I’m not going to dab my eyes with a pile of lint from a tissue that has started to fall apart in my purse.  Besides, it dries in-between sobs, hee hee.
A vintage shoe-holder used to display print hankies.
Hanky Primer #1 Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #2 More Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #3 Embroidered & Petit point Hankies
Hanky Primer #4 Appenzell & Appenzell Style Hankies
You can find me from time to time selling antique linens on Ebay: antique-monograms— I need to share some of my fabulous finds, I don’t have room for more!

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A Lesson on Hankies #2: More Monogrammed Hankies

A Lesson on Hankies #2: More Monogrammed HankiesWe use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.
Your guide to learn all about antique monogrammed hankies. This is the second post of a series of four on antique hankies and linens. This is a repost of an old blog post for those that may have missed it the first time around.
Photos are copyrighted and may not be used without my permission!

I am continuing from the previous post–it got so large I needed to break it up.  Why am I doing this?  Because when I first got interested in hankies, I couldn’t find anything on embroidered hankies.   There are books on print hankies, but nothing to give you an idea of what is out there.

Monogrammed hankies require that you discern between machine made newer hankies, recent imported hankies (just look at the ones on Ebay for sale from China), and low quality hankies.

The finest quality hankies are always on a handkerchief lawn fabric–basically this is a very thin linen fabric.  Sometimes it is a cotton fabric.  There are hankies from the 50’s & 60’s, I think by Desco, that are a cotton poly blend.  Normally I would say, “Pass”, but actually, if you use a hanky, this blend hanky is kinder to a very sore nose.  Tuck a hanky in your purse or wallet for emergencies, it takes up less room than a pack of tissue, doesn’t get tattered and is a lifesaver when you need one!  Many have high quality embroidery, so that is what I judge them on.  They have a softer feel to them, and it smells different when you are ironing it.  It is always easy to tell the differnce by the smell!

I attended a wedding last weekend, and I could see why grandma tucked a hanky in her bra…it would have been handy…except can you imagine the fun my nephews and nieces would have if they saw me do that!

There a photos on the internet of hankies used on bouquets in a wedding.  Search on brides bouquet wedding hanky, you get a bunch of photo’s on Google. I think Martha Stewart wrote about this somewhere.  Use the hanky wrapped around a bouquet with ribbon. I’ll have to do one so I’m not “stealing” anyone’s photo’s.  Check here, I’ll add it later.

I wrote Hanky Primer #1 HERE.  There will be a Primer #3 in the future.   The whole hanky collecting thing got started for me when I purchased an antique hanky box.  It is in my guest room.  What do you put in an antique hanky box if not hankies?   Imagine spending the night and opening up the box and finding all these wonderful treasures to look at!

 Plain and Simple Monograms
There are alot of monogrammed hankies that have a wonderful script monogram, but not a bunch of fussy embroidery.  This may be a consideration for a gift for a bride.   When considering a hanky for a gift, try to get the first  initial.  Most women would use a hanky with their first name initial, but if you’re getting a hanky for a male, use the inital of his last name.
Great monogram–a little fun with the flowers–a great French style script complete with the flowers.
This is a great hanky.  Very simple.  It is by Marghab in their Simplicity Pattern
One of my favorite plain hankies.  The workmanship is amazing.
This hanky has a smaller monogram on it.  The edge is unusual, they are usually a rolled hand-stitched hem.
Is this fun or what!   There are little dolphin heads on this monogram.
Purchased at the same time as the previous hanky, this was a cute hanky!
Not super-plain, but all the embroidery is associated with the monogram, very French in style.
Can you see the quality of this hanky?  The drawnwork, the double monogram, simple elegant, wonderful!
The Skinny Monogram
I put these in a category by themselves.  They are a good design for a gift if someone doesn’t like things too fussy.  A good choice after the plain monogram.
Hmmm.  When I see too much grey, I wonder:  Imported Hanky?  It’s sort of skimpy, even though it’s nicely embroidered.
Test:  This is a machine-made hanky.   Remember to turn it over if you think it may be–and look for that bobbin thread.
This is a winner in the category.  A  narrow N on openwork  surrounded by fine embroidery.
I like the script embroidery of this L.   Just a bit of flair to “jazz it up”.
The embroidery is wonderful–a double monogrm filled with embroidery on a background spray of flowers.
I love the  “relaxed look” of this R.
Hankies with Embroidery on One Side
These tall skinny letters are intriguing to me.  I think that they are in a class by themselves.  They are a distinct style.  Do you suppose one person in Madeira made all 3?
The nodding applique flower is really pretty.  Unusual too.
The open cutwork making up the “D” is very nice.
Great quality.  The rosebuds are very unusual!
Floral Letter Hankies
This is a distinct category–there are alot of hankies where the letters are out of flowers.  Some of them are petitpoint, others crewel flowers.
I put this in the simple category–because it’s just an A monogram–no extra embroidery.  It was a quality hanky with a wide drawnwork hem.  These tend to be Victorian.  This one is AWESOME!
 
Not as fine a quality as the previous hanky, but still a nicely done hanky on a beautiful linen lawn hanky with a ribbon border woven in the fabric.
 
This M is a shadowwork M, with embroidery on top.  It’s one of my favorite in this category (ok, so I have lots of favorites)
Not sure what category to put this in, it is a simple E, but has petitpoint flowers around it.
A Frnch style script monogram, with petitpoint flowers around it.
Testing:  Can you tell that this is a machine-made  hanky?  I should have photographed the back for you–that’s where you can really tell.  A hand-embroidered hanky will not have a second thread which comes from a bobbin–and it’s usually white, by the way.  Notice how the stitching isn’t exact on the flowers.  Looks a little sloppy even though the overall effect is pleasing.
Silk Embroidered Hankies
It seems like years ago these were super expensive.  Now you can find them on eBay for really reasonable prices.  I tend to sell them as wedding hankies.  They are nice because they tend to be a cream color rather than a stark white, matching cream wedding dresses.  I assume silk hankies are from Asia, either Japan or China.
I can’t believe I sold this hanky.  It’s the same design on both sides.  That is quite a feat if you’re embroidering hankies.
A monogram hanky.  I don’t think this is a very high quality hanky, looks machine stitched,
except the edge has sloppy hand-stitching.
Silk hanky, more typical design that you find vs. the first one shown.  Slightly higher quality than the last one, even has some drawnwork on it.
Silk monogrammed hanky.  It is a higher quality than the 2 previous.
You find this type of hanky more often on  eBay.
It’s a nice monogram, ranges in price depending on the dealer.
Men’s Monogrammed Hankies
I don’t really find that many men’s hankies.  I suspect that is because they were used and worn out!  I get alot of requests for hankies for men’s tux pockets in weddings.  Really tough to find appropriate ones though.
A very casual hanky with the color, but a nice large hanky with a triple monogram
Men’s monograms tend to be plainer, more masculine.
A monogram in a square is pretty common in a man’s hanky.
Almost the same as the previous hanky, but look closely, it is different.
Another monogram in a square “D”
A monogram in a square.
Men’s hankies are great even for women–if you like to carry a hanky for use in your purse!Personalized Name Hankies
Don’t give up, you can find personalized hankies if you are looking for them.  Here is a selection…some are fun, definitely Grandma’s old-fashioned names.
A wonderful punchwork hanky someone has personalized.
“Amanda”.  This was probably done by an individual.  It is well done, but it’s not the heavy French script .
“Anne”  is a really fine monogram.  It’s got the heavy padded satin stitch and multiple
colors of embroidery.  The flowers are forget-me-nots, which are very common on Madeira hankies.
They are always well done.  The branches are pretty skimpy though.
“Elsie”   This is not a Madeira hanky.  I don’t really know where it is made.  I have had hankies like this made in Switzerland,  Hong Kong, Ireland and China.
This was a wonderful Victorian hanky.  It is huge–I tend to see what you would call Victorian whitework on
larger hankies, I think they’re from England or Ireland.
“Eleanor” – fabulous quality, superfine linen.  Madeira.
“Gertrude” had a wonderful hanky!
“Gladys” – Simple, with a flair at the bottom
Sort of unusual to see the last initial “Joan M.”
“Katherine”.  This went to someone with a new baby “Katherine”.  It falls into my “Fabulous” category.
“Lillian”  Notice the extra L’s worked into the design.  Wonderful.  It has some  grey pencil.  Japan?  The linen is great, and the L is a fine French script.  I wouldn’t pass this up because of the grey pencil.
Can you tell the superfine quality of this linen?  It isn’t as heavy of a monogram as the “Katherine” hanky, but it’s a fabulous hanky for “Margaret”.
“Mary” has a wonderful hanky.   A hint of grey from the pattern.
Monogrammed Hankies with Lace or Cutwork
These hankies tend to be from Brussels if they have lace.  Cutwork is a Madeira trait often used.  Some others are from Ireland or England.
A small monogram with an extremely fine drawnwork lace edge.
Looks like this is a Madeira Hanky.  V’s are hard to find even though I’ve shown quite a few.
This isn’t cutwork, this is eyelit work, wanted to show you the difference.
This has cutwork scrolls
More cutwork scrolls, wonderful script B, with applique rosebuds.
Monogram F, a smaller monogram, with cutwork leaves in the forget-me-not flower embroidery.
I don’t think this is a Madeira hanky.  Looks more like an Irish or Belgium hanky.
I usually think Swiss when I see this type of openwork on the basket.
You really don’t see it much on Madeira hankies.
Very well done embroidery and cutwork.  It’s a small monogram.
Original Brussels hanky in box.   Notice the openwork / lace bottom.  Look closely
at the embroidery.  Can you tell the difference between this one and the ones from Madeira?
This has the Burmel tag showing it is made in Madeira.
Another  hanky like the Burmel hanky above, Madeira.
The only “O” hanky I’ve ever seen!  Olivia?
Cutwork on the border.  Madeira.
Lace border hanky.  Shadowwork.  Madiera?  HMM.  Ma
kes me wonder if someone added the lace?  Very professionally done if they did.
Madiera hanky with cutwork on the bow.
Very unusual hanky!  Love it.  I’ve never seen a design similar to this.
Cutwork Letter
Cutwork Letter

OK, So we’ve viewed alot of hankies here.  I want to finish up sharing a few that didn’t seem to fall in the other categories.

All the Rest!

I didn’t put these in any of the previous categories, but want to give you lots to look at.   Enjoy.  Don’t forget to click on a hanky to view the larger photo.

This hanky looks like it is on cotton. The fabric is thicker.  Can you tell by the photo?  It’s important because alot of eBay sellers can’t tell the difference. In fact, sometimes I can’t.  A linen lawn fabric is very thin and delicate.
I really liked the colors in this one,  the French style monogram gets me every time.
Great quality Madeira Hanky.  Very clean crisp design.
Desco tag says Linen Madeira.  Great cutwork.
You have to love those script monograms.  They’re the same as the fancy French sheets, only a fraction of the price!
A wonderful Victorian Hanky.  This is probably an Appenzell hanky (Swiss).  It is stunning!
Don’t you love the way the “H” is part of the bow?  I don’t think this is Madeira, could be Irish.
Has a double monogram, two colors, plus some shadowwork.
A Kimball label shows Madeira.  This is a very simple design with the bow and sprig.  A very elaborate script K
Very simple classic “C”
These wonderful nodding flowers got to me.  The label says ???? wish I could read it.  It has that grey pencil
underneath, but the flowers are so cute, who could resist?
Unusual Red Embroidery.  I save these for xmas.
Great M! surrounded by embroidery
Sort of modest embroidery, love the circular design.
Pink and Grey again, wonder who did this?
This is a Madeira hanky with a label showing Poly content.  Remember what I said about poly.  It’s softer on your nose.  However,
it can ball up as it ages.  The quality of the embroidery is high.
Wow!  I totally love this hanky design and color!  Can you imagine the hours it took to make this?
A simple design.  Do I see some grey under those dots?
Gee, I wish I could read the writing.  The style indicates Madeira.  A great hanky.
Love the N with shadowwork and heavy embroidered satin stitch.
An interesting stylized C with intricate flowers in 3 colors.
Test:  This hanky says Made in Hong Kong.  When you look at it you realize it is machine made.
Another hard to find letter “I”.  The design is a bit unusual.  Definitely Madeira.
Appenzell Hanky.  Design all around.  Wonderful.
This hanky embodies everything I love about a Madeira hanky.  The linen is wonderful, has sort of a translucent sheen to the fabric.  The monogram is super crisp, as is the embroidery.
Another M Madeira.  Great pink hanky!
Some greyness underneath, drawnwork.  I really love the design.
This design has the W at the top, with more design below.  Beautiful!
Another fantastic N.  I’m a sucker for a design with a bow.

I am not done.  There is more to write:  floral embroidered hankies, hankie holders, boxes, etc.

You can find me from time to time selling antique linens on Ebay: antique-monograms— I need to share some of my fabulous finds, I don’t have room for more!

Hanky Primer #1 Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #2 More Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #3 Embroidered & Petit point Hankies
Hanky Primer #4 Appenzell & Appenzell Style Hankies

Photos are copyrighted by myself and may not be used for your book without my permission!

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A Lesson on Hankies #1: Antique Monogrammed Hankies

A Lesson on Hankies #1: Antique Monogrammed HankiesWe use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.
Photos are copyrighted and may not be used without my permission!

Your guide to learn all about antique monogrammed hankies. This is the first post of a series of four on antique hankies and linens.

These posts were on an original blog made with my mom that is closing. I’ve moved the posts over here and knew my readers at Petite Haus would enjoy them. Now, on to the post…

I’ve spent alot of time drifting on my blog–you get whatever is happening in my life.  However the purpose was to share my knowledge–or what I like about antiques.  First and foremost is my love of antique textiles.

Not many people understand my fascination with hankies–except other hanky lovers.  To me they are fine works of art on a 10″ x 10″ square of the finest linen.   To purchase a hanky with the same level of detailed hand-embroidery would cost you several hundred dollars today.

While hankies were made all over the world, my favorite workmanship are hankies made in Belgium, Switzerland and Madeira.
You don’t have to be a hanky collector to appreciate a nice hanky.   The non-collector purchases a hanky most often for a gift–a bride being the number one recipient.  Brides often buy from me, and use the hankies as gifts or part of a gift basket for bridesmaids, in addition to using the hanky for “something old” and “something blue” if it has blue embroidery on it.
If you see a fabulous hanky damaged, make a sachet out of it.   Don’t let the fine embroidery go to waste.
I’ve attempted to categorize hankies in a way that you’ll understand and encourage you to spot a fine hanky.
 
Applique & Shadow-work Hankies
Madeira hankies must have invented the use of applique and shadow-work.  Applique is when they take a piece of fabric and stitch it on top of the hanky–hence “applique”.   Shadowwork is when they put the fabric underneath, or stitch underneath, to create a “shadow” on top.  I don’t think I’ve seen a Swiss hanky that has this.
The blue flowers are the applique-work on this hanky.
Note that the L is made up of embroidery and shadowwork, making a large monogram.
White version of the L hanky
Like the L hanky, the W below was made by the same manufacturer.
same hanky in pink

Below are some variations, possibly by the same manufacturer.

A variation of the L hanky
A pink variation of the B hanky above
Note the flowers are the same for the last 3 hankies compared to the earlier ones.
The embroidery on the hankies with the applique letter can become more elaborate.

Rather than applique, this hanky has the letter done in shadowwork and embroidery
Similar to the D above, only in white shadowwork
Don’t forget to click on a photo if you want to see the enlargement.
This is another variation of a spring bouquet around the monogram.

The hanky below is a real favorite of mine.  It has pale grey embroidery and a separate organdy flower with loose petals not attached to the hanky.  This design with the flower is a whole collecting category by itself–which I will share with you later.

Note the attached organdy flower on the corner.

Hankies can also have the letter be an applique, instead of embroidery

M hanky with a nice drawnwork hem, in a medallion of delicate stitching.  It has a 40’s look to me.
Doesn’t this hanky remind you of the 50’s monogrammed sweater (the “L” on LaVerne’s sweater?0
While this is simple, notice that the appliqued fabric is enhanced with embroidery
Below are some appliqued monograms that are more elaborate.  The K in this hanky has leaves that edge the hanky.

The hanky below has the label “Madeira” and has some wonderful bellfowers accenting the somewhat modern-looking angular H.

The hanky below is an M done in a french script style.  I love the detailed embroider surrounding the M.

Click on photo for enlargement.  Notice the applique flower has some openwork, buratto I believe.

Lastly, I’d like to share my favorite applique monogram, complete with embroidery and a lace edge.

Beautiful!
This next section of applique work shows applique flowers in combination with shadowwork and french style script monograms.
The bows are shadowwork, the R is french script in heavy padded satin stitch, with an applique flower in the corner.
Another example with applique flower in the corner.
Applique flowers in the corner

The next group shows hankies with applique flowers surrounding the monogram–making more of a “medallion”.

The applique flowers are a creamy satin – interesting texture.
One of those unusual hankies with the all-white applique.
I hardly ever see red in a monogram.  I love the contrasting grey stitching.  The flowers are applique.
Applique flowers make a medallion.
Unusual V Hanky–V’s are hard to find.  White creamy applique flowers.
Simple medallion with one applique flower, shadowwork and embroidery.  I like the pink G monogram
The lavender monogram looks great, I think all these flowers are shadow-work.

Most of the shadow-work tends to be colored, although not always.  They are Madeira hankies, I don’t think I’ve seen any good Made in China knock-offs. Below are two examples of P Monograms.

Below are more examples of shadow-work.  Don’t forget to click and view a photo if you want to see an enlargement.

Simple shadow-work making up a medallion.
I totally love the brown embroidery. I can’t seem to keep any of the blue, brown or grey in stock, everyone loves them for weddings.

I t

This hanky is unusual with the flowers on one side of the B monogram.  I love the applique and shadow-work flowers
The shadow-work bows are really sweet.  Great for a wedding hanky.
Another example with grey shadow-work, some cutwork and pale aqua contrasts beautifully.
I love the brown on this hanky!
Applique medallion with shadow-work leaves.  Great aqua blue embroidery
Isn’t it interesting that they managed to have such a classy combination of grey complementing the pink!
Great wedding color, don’t you think?
I love the shadow-work medallion on this monogram, plus a shadow-work edge on the hanky.  Beautiful!
Organdy Flowers
The hankies below are really special.  They have organdy flowers/ butterflies attached to create a 3-D effect.  The organdy is light and delicate.
Butterflies look like they landed on the hanky for the photo shoot!
Note the petals of the organdy flower are not attached.  Hanky has Madeira label.
Fabulous hanky with loose organdy leaves surrounding this R monogram.
Monogrammed Hankies – in a Circle Medallion
The hankies below are all hand embroidered with a french script style monogram, padded satin stitch.  There are various designs, all circular.
Shadow-work medallion of circles
Simple delicate blue embroidery makes an elegant statement
A bit of shadow-work, and wonderful Madeira flowers.
A small medallion of flowers and scrolls enhance this B
The C monogram is on an organdy insert, enhanced with the grey scroll embroidery.
A double row of padded satin stitch makes a great enhanced script monogram.  love the daisies, french knots and scrolls.
This is too cool!  I love the cicular design around the H!
Unusual D hanky with eyelit embroidery making a cicular medallion with pink embroidery
Another great pink/grey combination.  The french script R stands out in this circular medallion of scrolls.
A great hanky with cutwork border, lots of padded satin stitch and Madeira forget-me-nots.
Unusual find, a triple monogram hanky in a medallion of flowers and scrolls.
The next 4 hankies are still a circular medallion, but the monogram is not the heavy padded satin stitch–the monogram is done with embroidery making the letter wider.
This A monogram has a border with cutwork.
This monogram is a combination of padded satin stitch and embroidered fields filled with tiny french knots.
This F monogram is great–I love the double circle of embroidery.  Notice the detailed embroidery  on the bell flowers.
The bright blue monogram combined with the white embroidery really makes the monogram jump off the  hanky.
The two hankies below I’ve owned years apart.  They are the same, made to look like a rose petal, with the outer leaves out of organdy.  Beautiful!
Great W monogram
M Monogram with organdy leaves inserted and cut out to make them sheer.
Organdy medallion, cutwork on the border, shadow-work bows and flowers.
Square and Oval Medallions
 
Square R Medallion, original label.
Probably my favorite “square” medallion.
The next 11 hankies are monograms surrounded by a heavy square of embroidery.  I have noticed there is a distinct style of hanky that is filled with scrolls and flowers.  It is likely the same manufacturer.
Looks very much like Victorian Whitework embroidery
Talk about scarce, an “I” monogram.
This is one with the scrolled embroidery I was talking about.
Has some shadow-work leaves
Distinctive Madeira forget-me-not flowers surrouning this F monogram
Another heavy whitework Victorian hanky
Scrolls and flowers make up the medallion
Unusual green F monogram
I can’t resist the field of flowers on this hanky!
Hankies with Double-Wide Monogrammed Letters
Some of these hankies don’t have huge monograms, but the embroidery on the lettering is extra detailed.  Some of them are two-color, for a shadow effect, and others are letters filled with embroidery.
Hanky reeks with quality embroidery.  OK, reeks is not a good word, but you get the drift.
Wonderful French style script monogram.
The embroidery is delicate on this hanky, but has a wonderful effect with the bouqet.
OK, I threw this in as a  test.  This hanky is NOT hand-embroidered.  It is NOT antique, err, at least by my standards.  It’s still not bad for a machine made hanky. Check it out, you need to know how to tell the difference!
Can you see the quality difference in this hanky vs. the last one?   This one is a fabulous hand-embroidered hanky.
Another unusual hand-embroidered hanky.  It is not Madeira, but still wonderful!
Your red Christmas “I” Hanky.  Wonderful!
The double lines of the R add to the graceful look of the monogram.  The ribbon intertwined with flowers is unusual.
There are 3 colors of embroidery.  Doesn’t it add to the beauty of this hanky!
Simple forget-me-nots enhance this monogram.
The colored embroidery is extremely high quality–look at it closely!
All white embroidery, tiny french knots inside the monogram.
Great looking whitework!
Go back and check out a B hanky earlier in the post.   Very similar to this one.
This was as 13″ hanky, huge, wonderful embroidery!  Open cutwork in the monogram.
I think that the previous W hanky was made by the same manufacturer.  The grey pencil lines underneath the embroidery suggest that it may have been made in China.  At least that’s what I think when I see them.
Great blue ribbon border with those Madeira forget-me-not flowers .   The H is a french script  double-wide on the right.
I love the detail on this hanky.  Great design.
The green embroidery is a very unusual find!
Check out the quality on this hanky–isn’t it wonderful!   I don’t think I’ve come across a pink lawn hanky.
OK, another test.  this is a machine made hanky.  The colors were fun so it got purchased.
This is an English Victorian Whitework  Hanky.
Looks like a design from the 50’s or 60’s.  Still great.  The embroidery is an extremely fine quality.

This blog is so big, I’ll continue this later with Hanky Primer #2.   So what is your favorite hanky that I’ve shown today?

Here are the links to all of my hanky articles:
Hanky Primer #1 Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #2 More Monogrammed Hankies
Hanky Primer #3 Embroidered & Petit point Hankies
Hanky Primer #4 Appenzell & Appenzell Style Hankies

You can find me from time to time selling antique linens on Ebay: antique-monograms— I need to share some of my fabulous finds, I don’t have room for more!

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It’s all about the Bavent

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

I recently picked up some Bavent pottery from a sale. Have you heard of it? I did some research online and there is not a lot written about it. It comes from France from a factory called “Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent”. It was started in 1842 by Maurice Comptet. It is a tile factory that produced, well, tile. It also produced pots and finials. The clay finials would go on top of the roofs of local businesses to show buyers what they had to offer. Of course there is whimsy.

They also produce many animals – many of which are meant to sit on the roof! Haha! I had no idea! This just cracks me up! Since they are made of clay, they are actually quite tough and can survive the elements. The pictures below are from the Bavent boutique.

But production slowed with D-Day. Bavent is only 10km from the D-day beaches. Like many villages in Normandy, most of the town of Bavent was destroyed. The art of this pottery was almost lost – until one day, in the 1960s, Martine Kay Mouat decided to purchase and restore the business. She was an apprentice the factory and the skills were continued on. Her daughter, Monique, still operates the business today.

The factory is still in business. Here is their website. If you’re in the area, you can visit!

They produced a lot of pigeon, rabbits, ducks and chickens. I would say they were definitely inspired by the local animals!

1st dibs source
1st Dibs source

So, from my limited research, it seems there were two periods of production 1842-1940s and then 1960s-today. How do you know if you have an antique piece? Well, that I do not know. Sometimes it just takes skill to figure it out – does it “feel” old? The pieces though should all say Bavent on it, either stamped in the pottery or painted.

Chairish
Madelena Antiques

A few final pictures of the Bavent animals on random rooftops in Deauville, photos from 365 Things I love about France. There is not much written about this and why the locals did this. I will tell you why – because it’s funny! Now I’m off to figure out how to affix my faux pigeon to my rooftop… the pigeons that live on my roof will be very confused!

update… 1/20/23. I was looking through my Normandy pictures from my trip some years ago and spotted this house I took a picture of… with Bavent birds!


Article Sources:

Normandy, Then and Now

Wolf’s Gallery

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Design Crush: Maison Bagues

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

When I saw my first Maison Bagues light it was instantly love at first sight! Originating in Paris in the 1860s, Maison Bagues is known for its beautiful bronze and rock crystal sconces and chandeliers, often with whimsical motifs. It is most well known motif is the bird, which appeared in its designs in the 1920s and has not left.

Via @sourcemyeyefordesign

Aren’t they just beautiful? What makes these unique is that they are made from rock crystal, a type of quartz. This is different from traditional crystal which is glass.

Via @courtneyagostiinteriordesign
Via @wendykonradadidesign

I love this birdcage chandelier! oh my!

Maison Bagues

They also did many floral and vine motif sconces.

Via @baguesparis
Via @mccaffreydesigngroup
Via @alexanderinteriornashville

I love this big chandelier!

Via @brownrigguk antiques

There’s something interesting about pairing a fancy sconce next to a weathered mirror.

Via @lizziebennettfarley
Via @urbanegallery
Via @whitehallantiques

They also designer other whimsical shapes. Such as this ship pendant chandelier which is in Kirsten Dunst’s home as seen in Architectural Digest.

Kirsten Dunst’s Home as seen in Architectural Digest

I love these unusual sconces with the arrows and wreath.

Image via @ericarthurbysdahl

Below are a pair of unusual candelabras sold at a Sotheby’s auction

Image via Sotheby’s, s

Are you drooling yet?! Well, I linked a few for you… in case you have a few $$$ you want me to help you spend…

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Current Design Crush: Decorating with Laurel Wreaths

We use affiliate links in our posts and our site. This means if you make a purchase using these links, we may earn a small commission. You don’t pay a cent more than you would otherwise! Our full disclosure is available under About.

Today I’m talking about decorating with laurel wreaths! The Laurel wreath has been used since the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The motif was repopularized in the late Neoclassical style because of Napoleon I.

Napoleon I encouraged the French furniture/textile/porcelain artists to produce furniture with motifs that represented fame and victory. What better motif than the laurel wreath! Laurel wreaths were rewarded in Ancient Rome to successful commanders in triumph; used in Ancient Greece for decorating the Olympians. The tradition continued on to symbolize victory and achievement. “With laurel crowned as conqueror, there he lived in joy and honour” -Geoffery Chaucer, The Knights Tale, Circa 1385

Antique crown, ca 1900 via Alhambra Antiques

I love the laurel wreath motif and am showing some examples of it used in decor!

Laurel wreath motif on Gustavian side board, Tone and Tone

Laurel wreaths are sometimes hidden on barometers, clocks or mirrors!

Laurel wreath motif on antique French barometer, photo is mine!
antique Empire mirror, via Walter Smith

A modern take on the laurel wreath.

via Randi Garrett Design

Laurel wreaths are the design of this room’s wallpaper.

design by Amelie Handegan, as featured in Architectural Digest
wallpaper by Sandberg Wallpaper

Antique French Andirons

Via One Kings Lane

It is used in porcelain patterns.

antique Limoges plate

Real Laurel wreaths are made from the Bay Laurel plant. Below is a wreath made from real bay laurel, painted gold.

By Sarah Tucker

I like this tutorial from Craftberry Bush for a DIY standing laurel wreath. I am going to do something similar…. with bay laurel from my garden!

The motif is still Very popular today!

lamp sconce
Laurel Wreath Pillow
Laurel Wreath pillow
metal laurel wreath
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Battersea Boxes – Friday Favorites

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Let’s talk about Battersea boxes. Have you ever heard of them?

They are little boxes, about the size of a pill box, usually made of enamel or porcelain.  They were given as sentimental gifts, and that’s why I’m featuring them near Valentine’s Day!  Some of the themes of these boxes are of love!  There are many other themes too.

They were made under Sir Stephen Theodore Janssen at the York House in Battersea from 1753-1756.  They had a unique way of printing called transfer printing.

An impression was made from an engraved metal plate that had been brushed with enamel colors and then transferred to a box. Factories in nearby towns, such as Bilston, also produced similar boxes.  They are sometimes called “Bilston Boxes”, but the original method of transfer printing started in Battersea gave them their name “Battersea Boxes”.

Original Battersea boxes can be very pricey.  It is very hard to find an antique one that is not cracked either.

If the cracks bother you, there are new ones made to this day by Halcyon Days.

They were used as pill boxes, snuff boxes, hold make up or other little trinkets. They are all very small – no bigger than 2″ I’d say.  Most of them are about the size as a half dollar.

From Philadelphia Museum Art

Source for original information – Chicago Tribune

Unfortunately I could not find the original source for many of the pictures.

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Antique French Barometer

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So excited to share my antique French barometer today. There is a wall in the mudroom that had nothing on it.  Until recently. When we found this.

antique french hallway

Isn’t the antique French barometer beautiful?! I don’t know anything about it. Other than it’s French and it’s old. Oh and it doesn’t work. Who cares! I love it.  This reminds me since it has mercury in it – do you remember the old mercury thermometers?  I remember as a child when one would break, we would play with the mercury. It was so interesting to play with.  They’d never allow that these days, now would they?

antique french barometer

I actually have dreams of a beautiful French settee to go under it… but for now my outdoor garden bench will do.  It is a mudroom after all. Seems so silly to call it a mudroom – don’t be flinging mud on my barometer! Eventually I am going to add more to the wall – probably some little plates above the pictures and barometer.

antique french barometer

This bench has turned into the catch all when you walk into the garage. I had to clear it off to take a picture.  Yes, it’s back to being messy as I write. I’d take more pictures of the house… but that requires me to clean! On these hot Summer days I’m anything but motivated, preferring to lounge around instead.

antique french hallway

Blog land pictures make life seem always so perfect… I assure you, life is far from perfect!

 

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Using Your Antique Linen

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Do you have vintage or antique linen?  Now, ask yourself, do I use my antique or vintage linen?

If the answer is “no”, my question is… why not??

Antique linen is extremely durable – it was meant to last a lifetime and to be handed down to the next generation.

In the dining room, I’ve just left it on the table for my own enjoyment. No parties here, just me, the husband and the cat.  Oh dear, that reminds me of a story what I’m calling, The Great Accident. We’re off on a detour.

There is a problem with using tablecloths when you have an animal at home.  See the table below?  One morning my cat decided she was going to sit on the chair and bat at the tablecloth that was dangling down.  I had taken this photo the day before the Great Accident. However, her claws got caught in the lace, she got spooked, and she took off… yes, the table was set.

I had taken off the goblets and plates, but my tulipiere remained.  When she took off, the tablecloth went flying with her.  And so did the tulipiere. My husband knew how much I loved this vase and dove across the room trying to save it – however the vase is in three pieces. So he couldn’t decide which one to catch, and all three went crashing down separately and broke.  I was sleeping, and all of the banging woke me up.

I climbed out of bed and came out to see what the ruckus was.  There were tulipiere shards everywhere, flowers and water scattered on the ground, a tablecloth with a few new holes, and in the middle of this mess was my husband laying on the ground bleeding from somewhere. The cat… nowhere to be found. My husband didn’t respond to me at first so I started panicking.  Then the first thing he says “is the cat okay?”  Uh, yes. She is busy pretending she didn’t do this.  So, we cleaned up the mess. I did a little home laceration repair with old medical school supplies on my husband’s cut hand, but the vase… broken forever. And discontinued.

About a year later, we were able to find a new tulipiere at a local store, they had still had one in stock despite it being discontinued from Juliska… yes it was pricey, frankly that’s probably why they still had it in stock!  But alas, I have my tulipiere and THIS time I don’t leave it on my linens unless we are in the room, otherwise up on the counter it goes!  When not in use – in the cabinet, away from the cat!

Okay, back to talking about antique linens.  Yes,  I know I didn’t iron my tablecloths in these pictures –  but I just set them up for me so I don’t care… for a party, fine, I’ll iron them for guests.

Laundry tips for napkins: Don’t do a heavy spin, it leaves creases in the napkins!  If you happen to have a mangle, run through at the mangle. If not, iron – sometimes if you have a difficult wrinkle, I recommend getting your piece wet again and ironing it when it is wet! 

If your textiles have holes that are unrepairable, repurpose them to make sachets or throw pillows.  Also, if you gently tug on a piece and it comes apart in your hand, it has dry rot! It needs to be thrown out. 

Also wanted to mention, Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture is having a Friends and Family sale that runs until June 18.  Receive 20% off your entire order when you enter code SCFF20 at checkout! (affiliate link)

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Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn Palace

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Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna

I posted the above picture on my Instagram and thought I would share the rest of these beautiful rooms!  Maria Therese (Marie Antoinette’s Mother) suffered from the heat of the Summer so in the last decade of her life she had these garden rooms built on the ground floor of her palace to overlook the gardens.  Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna

Johann Wenzel Bergl painted the murals which included exotic landscapes and formal Baroque gardens.    Today these are known as the Bergl rooms.

Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna Bergl Rooms at Schönbrunn palace in Vienna

Schonbrunn Palace is located in Vienna, Austria.

Photos via Schönbrunn Palace

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Antique Hen on Nests for Easter

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Today I’m sharing antique hen on nests for a Vintage Easter Joys blog hop!  I’m joining 11 other bloggers and we are sharing vintage Easter in our homes!  A big thank you to Amber at Follow the Yellow Brick Home for arranging this hop!  If you are coming from Jann at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, welcome!

Farmhouse Mudroom with brick floors and hen on nests

Antique hen on nests began in the late 1700s and were made by Staffordshire and Dresden.  The original form came from China but became popularized in Europe (like, everything, it seems!).
antique hen on nests

The Victorians were all about the animals so they were mass produced in pressed glass in the late 1800s to keep up with the demand! In the 20th century, many American companies, such as Westmoreland and Fenton started producing these and turned them into the beloved kitschy classic. They also come in version of milk glass, carnival glass, ironstone, and majolica.

antique ironstone hen on nest

This one below is antique Staffordshire.  Notice the glazed paint.  The antique glazed ones are generally Staffordshire. (Do you see the little chick under the wing? So cute!)

antique staffordshire hen on nest

This one below is German.  It is bisque.  In general, the bisque ones are from Germany.antique German hen on nestThis white one below is ironstone.  It comes from Scotland – specifically from Jon Thomson and Sons in Glasgow, circa 1860-1880.

antique ironstone from Staffordshire

This lustrous black glazed hen on nest is called Jackfield Staffordshire.  Jackfield was most popular in the 1750s but there was a revival in the late 1870s.  This one is late 1800s.   Jackfield has this dark black (lead!) glaze.

antique hen on nest

The one below is German – it is bisque.  The one above and below I had a hard time getting pictures of because they roost (hehe!) high up on my kitchen over the range.antique hen on nestSometimes you can still find them with their inserts still in them.  This one above still has its insert in it!

They were originally used to serve eggs or butter.  This one is for eggs.  Hen on nests may not be what you traditionally think of for Easter decor, but I thought… why aren’t they more popular for Easter?  They were meant to hold your eggs!

antique hen on nestHope you enjoyed seeing how I feather my nest with antiques this Easter!  If you missed it, I shared my Easter Bunny Table and French Farmhouse Easter tour. Also, on Friday please be sure to stop by and add your on Easter posts for the weekend link party!

Now hop on over to Linda’s  Itsy Bits and Pieces to see her fabulous vintage Easter decor!

Farmhouse Mudroom with brick floors and hen on nests

source about hen on nests, source for info about Jackfield Staffordshire 

 

Tuesday
Wednesday
Reminder, starting on FRIDAY, we are all hosting a link party where YOU can link up your Spring and Easter posts!  Stop by any of our blogs to link up!  Happy hopping!

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18th Century Dog Beds – Friday Favorites

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I know you are reading the title and thinking, what? Yes. 18th century dog beds.  Why am I writing about them? Because they are adorable, that’s why!!

During the eighteenth century, lapdogs were incredibly popular with those of the high society.  These little creatures were always around, and so dog kennels became fashionable additions to their interiors.  Below, Madame de Pompadour and her doggie!

“Madame de Pompadour at her Tambour Frame”.Painting, 1763, by François-Hubert Drouais. Via AKG images.

Below is a French engraving from 1774 “La Soiree d’Hyer” which depicts in the bottom righthand corner one of the dog beds!  Engraving image source

Below is an image of the Paar room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1765-72).  IT has fabulous examples of period French furniture from the Paar Palace in Vienna. If you look closely, you will find a dog bed in front of one right window.

Antique 18th century dog bed
This niche de chien (dog kennel, in French) likely belonged to Marie Antoinette.  The fabric is velvet.  The wood is gilded beech. It is stamped by Marie Antoinette’s furniture maker.

Dog kennel Claude I Sené (1724–1792, master 1743), ca. 1775–80, Gilded beech and pine; silk and velvet. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The pair below, niches en tabourets(dog bed footstools) are more functional.  The dog sleeps inside and the master uses it as a footrest!  Madame de Pompadour supposedly had a pair similar to these!

Etienne Nauroy, Pair of Louis XV Dog Kennels. 1765, Gilt wood. Wrightsman Collection, image: Sothebys. sold Sotheby`s New York, 28th April 2010, lot 121, $86,500.

A rare giltwood and gesso dog`s sedan chair Louis XV, circa 1765, of pagoda form, the arched top with ostrich feather plumes, covered with red velvet with brass studs, the interior with a red velvet cushion, on a giltwood base ornamented with dog motifs, on cabriole legs. image: Sothebys

Below is a Georgian style dog bed.
A late Georgian/Early Regency Dog Bed. 1st Dibs.
A mahogany kennel in the Carlton Hobbs LLC collection, circa 1775.  It is in the form of a footstool and is neoclassical in its design. Antique 18th century dog bed

A French company recently had made some repro beds below, but it seems they are no longer in business. I have included the pictures anyway from Apartment Therapy, because the beds are cute!

 

Antique 18th century dog bed

The only French appearing dog bed I could find made today is by French bedroom company.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the pampered pooch.  It seems they have long been man’s best friend.

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Lettuce Ware

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Lettuce ware is one of my favorite Spring decorating trends for the table.

Image via Habitually Chic

Dodie Thayer started making lettuce plates by molding them by hand from lettuce and cabbage in the 1960s in palm beach.  Jackie O used to serve on lettuce ware.

C.Z. Guest’s original Dodie Thayer collection that auctioned at Sotheby’s for $27,000!

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch was released several years ago.  The original Dodie Thayer pieces go for thousands at auction. Tory Burch had called up the 90-year-old Dodie Thayer and asked if she would be willing to collaborate.  The rest is history.

C.Z. Guest’s original Dodie Thayer collection- Sotheby’s above.

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch, below.

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch in white.

A Mario Buatta room with lettuce ware. 

Now, prior to Dodie Thayer there was Bordallo Pinheiro. Bordallo Pinheiro is a Portuguese artist who began crafting pottery in the 1880s.  They are still producing his plates today.  His range is the most affordable.

Others made lettuce and cabbage plates too.  Below is a pair of 19th century lettuce ware Majolica plates, Ruby Lane

A beautiful Longton Hall lettuce ware tureen circa 1755, sold at Sotheby’s for $27, 500!

Majolica Palissa cabbage cup circa 1890s from Madalena Antiques

Do you like the lettuce and cabbage plates??

Shop lettuce ware below: (affiliate links used meaning I get a few cents when you click but it does not affect you! Thanks for supporting the blog!)

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From the Shop

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