Victoria and Albert Museum

Ceremonial gown, by Norman Hartnell, 1957, at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Designed specially for Queen Elizabeth II's state visit to Paris, April 8-11th, 1957. Decorated with French motifs, including the flowers of France and large gold bees, the emblem of Napoleon. Worn to the state dinner on the first night (Monday 8th April), hosted by President René Coty at the Elysée Palace, followed by a visit to the Opéra (see black-and-white photo, courtesy of romanbenedikhanson on Flickr).

Descriptions of The British Museums and the V&A, two of London's best free museumsalong with the fabulous treasure you can find in them.

Inspired by the reformist passion of figures such as William Morris and John Ruskin, the Arts and Crafts movement had a huge effect on Victorian society. Its advocates looked to history and to the countryside to counteract the damaging effects of industrial production, developing a quietly revolutionary new take on domestic design.

Pomander, of gold openwork, enamelled in pale-blue and white, decorated and hung with pearls, probably German, early 17th century

In 1995 the Victoria and Albert Museum acquired a suit made for King James II of England to wear at his wedding to Mary of Modena.

Garden of Eden Quilt, 1820. Ann West. Victoria Albert Museum. London, UK.

Join me on my search for all things fine, gracious, grand and glorious. We are awash in rudeness, garishness and sloth. Together, let's look for the beautiful things that still remain. Yes, we'll focus quite a lot on The Victorian and the Edwardian. However, our goal is to find the beauty that seems to be missing in all aspects of our lives. Maybe, together, we can start a new Belle Époque.

Antique Tiara, Italy (19th c.; made by Alessandro Castellani; pearls, glass, enamel, gold). © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Brisé fan in mother of pearl, pierced and carved; made in France, 1800-1850

A pier glass of rococo form and ornament, consisting of a single, shaped plate, framed by smaller border plates with engraved ornament, set between carved and gilded pinewood framing sections.

Fashion history blog run by Katie, 21/f/NC, studying art history at UNC Charlotte. *** Twitter version *** Favorite decades: 1910's, 1800's, 1870's Favorite artists: Anthony van Dyck, Giovanni Boldini, Henry Fuseli, Thomas Lawrence *** Find me at: 23 Skidoo! DeviantART *** Click "browse" to find whatever it is you're looking for.

Posts about eye miniatures written by KDD

Silver watch, signed 'A Osterwyk Van Ceulen, Amsterdam', with a casemaker's mark 'PI', Holland, early 18th century

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Evening jacket of wool, designed by Schiaparelli, Paris, February 1938. (Circus collection)

My husband brought home an old in fantastic shape newspaper from June 14, 1937. It was retrieved from a home currently being remodeled. It's enormous and interesting. The front page is full of celebrations, tragedies, "bandits" as well as sweet stories and announcements...