ornamentedbeing: 1690-1720 Pair of lady’s mules

Ivory kid w/ padded metallic silver embroidery on ivory silk vamp, red leather heels, applied label on bottom, “17th C pur. Hearst Col. Gimbel Bros, 1942 Traphagen School”, L 7.75”, heel 3.75”, (sections of silk missing under vamp embroidery)silk vamps poor, soles and heels good

ornamentedbeing: ca 1745

ornamentedbeing: ca. 1899 Oh my goodness look at all those tiny little spangles and the tiny little ribbon roses. The detail on this dress is just so beautiful.

ornamentedbeing: c. 1740-50 V&A says: Small spinning wheels and winders such as this were made in the 18th century to be used in drawing rooms. The fine marquetry decoration was almost certainly made by the Italian cabinetmaker Pietro Piffetti in Turin, although the marquetry decorating the wheel and working elements is probably by a different (perhaps a specialist) maker, and is not of such high quality.

Piffetti’s elelgant marquetry indicates that this one was as much for show as for use. Needlework was an important element in the education of young ladies and such equipment allowed them to show off their elegant hands to admirers as they practised their skill.

The scene on the marquetry base shows the goddess of hunting, Diana, with Cupid and a hound. Diana might be thought to be an odd choice for such a delicate piece, but she was also the goddess of chastity and childbirth, both matters of concern to a good wife.

ornamentedbeing: Mid-19th century Bonnet (Sunbonnet)

ah, I wish I had a bulldog

Mummy punkins! Easy, quick … boo! I mean: Make!!

Hallowe’en mummy costume … yeah, I’d wear this :)