Something Beautiful

Early American Quilts

The American Art Museum, a division of the Smithsonian Institute, has an online exhibition featuring Early American Quilts.

Of the eighteen or so examples provided, these are the two I personally liked best --

Appliquéd Quilt, 1818, by Ann Dagge

Friendship Quilt, 1843–45, by unknown maker.

Children's Tea Sets

I have long had a soft spot for these children's tea sets.   Note that the zoom versions can be hard to reach - try right-clicking and then choose "Open in a new window." 

Child's tea service, ca. 1780-1790, England (earthenware) 

Child's tea service, ca. 1814, England (earthenware)

Child's tea service, ca. 1815, England (earthenware)  (Wedgwood - personal favorite)

Child's tea service, ca. 1820, England (black basalt)

Child's tea service, ca. 1830, England (earthenware) 

Child's tea service, 1862-1894, England (earthenware) 

Child's tea service, ca. 1863-1912, USA (sterling silver) 

"Nursery Rhyme" tea service, 1888-1892, England (porcelain) 

Imperial Easter Eggs

This site has photos and information of nearly all the Faberge eggs that were commissioned by the czars of Russia to present as Easter presents to the Russian empresses.    My favorite is probably the Renaissance egg. A number of others are also exquisite - highly recommended! 

Jeweled Arts of India

The opening page of the Louvre museum site is nearly a work of art in itself, with five rotating views of the museum. But what I want particularly to draw your attention to is the Louvre's mini-site dedicated to its exhibition of Jeweled Arts of India in the age of the Mughals. Apart from the introduction, it has six different sections --

Hard stones (4 objects)

Emeralds, rubies, sapphires (4 objects)

Metal work (5)

Inlaid gemstones (4)

Enamel (2)

Kudan technique (6)

Lace on stamps

Many sites on the Web display attractive or interesting postage stamps from around the world. At this site, you will find a small sampling of stamps showing lace and a lace-maker.

Two necklaces

Two fine works at the British Museum --

Gold necklace with painted enamel scenes, mid-17th century

Gold necklace, Paris, c. 1870  (Be sure to check out the "detail," especially its larger image. Magnifique!)

Gold cup with gazelles

This gold cup is quite something.   (Be sure to use the zoom.) 

Chinese porcelain

Chinese porcelain was in centuries gone by considered the finest in the world.  This ewer, ca. 1720, gives us an idea why.    (Actually, I'm not sure this piece really qualifies as "beautiful," but it is so handsome I am unable to resist posting it here.) 

Viking chess pieces

Here's a follow-up to yesterday's post on chess -- the Lewis chessmen, made ca. 1200, probably in Norway.  They are among the British Museum's most prized objects.   Although not classically beautiful, there is something haunting about them. 

(As always, check out the larger pictures.) 

Chess piece

A 12-century bishop chess piece, made in England, of ivory.

On the same topic, but in quite a different vein, the Metropolitan also possesses a painting titled The Chess Players, 1876, by Thomas Eakins.  (I like lots of things about this work, but most especially the cat in the lower right corner.)