Something Beautiful

Child's Tea Set

Okay, this is admittedly not beautiful. It has charm, however, and is a long-time favorite. I hope you'll like it too.

Child's tea and coffee set - cream pitcher; coffee pot; tea kettle; tea bowl; tea caddy; cups and saucers; waste bowl.

Lansdowne House

Love this room -- from the Landsdowne House. The room is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The zoom is at the Google Art Project.

Sèvres vase

You can't get quite close enough to this Sèvres vase, 1813, to appreciate it properly.  But you can see that it's extraordinary.

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.)