A dust-covered painting found behind an old mattress in an attic has turned out to be the work of a famous artist estimated to be worth £50,000. November 23, 2008 -- Somerset, England -- An unnamed 45 year old woman had been given the art work for her ninth birthday in 1972 but stored it in her loft for years and forgot about it until she put her house up for sale. An eagle-eyed auctioneer who was valuing her belongings spotted the oil painting and was stunned when he realized it was by 19th century artist John Everett Millais. As well as being worth thousands, the dusty painting has also shed light on a 150-year-old scandal of a love triangle involving Pre-Raphaelite artist Millais. The portrait is of a woman called Effie Gray who was married to Millais's mentor and art critic John Ruskin at the time. Millais, whose work includes the famous Ophelia painting, met and fell in love with Gray in 1853 while he used her for another painting, the Order of Release. Gray was in a loveless marriage with Ruskin and left him to marry Millais three years later. They went on to have eight children together. The painting, which has Millais's signature on the back, shows Ellie Gray in a "passionate" and thoughtful pose while she was aged in her mid 20s. The 14” x 11” painting was auctioned at Christie's in 1961 and bought by a Bond Street dealer who later sold it. It was eventually bought by the consignor's mother at an art gallery in 1972.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Lost Portrait by John Everett Millais of Effie Gray discovered in Dusty Attic . . .
Monday, December 29, 2008
Marilyn Monroe photos by Bert Stern sell for $146,500
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Mid-Century Modern Pug . . .
This cracks me up. I couldn't resist reblogging this adorable pug puppy in his mini Eames Lounge. I know it has been Photoshopped to death and you have probably already seen it; but for those of you who haven't, here it is in all of its adorable glory. HaHaHa.
Source: A Merry Mishap
Cutest dogs ever! . . .
Don't you just love these five little dachshunds wearing colorful crocheted scarves on their heads?
Reblogged from here.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Handmade Fabric Gift Bags I whipped up . . .
Aren't they beautiful? The recipients might be able to use the bags for something else too! I was so pleased with myself. Sometimes it pays to procrastinate; you have to improvise and great ideas come out of thin air.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
My tree is finally up | Merry Christmas . . .
I picked up a really pathetic looking artificial tree at a garage sale last week for $5.00. Now that all the branches have been re-bent and the ornaments are in place I find it to be quite pleasing. I have always had a real evergreen; remember my post about the 600 trees I planted? I just can't bring myself to buy anything but a Charlie Brown tree and the lot nearby that sold them for a reasonable price closed down last year. Now I am set forever.
I decided not to use any lights, just shiny Christmas balls. They reflect the glow from the lamps in the room very nicely. I have other ornaments that I didn't use. The tree looks very old fashioned so I am declaring it finished. Less is more, right?
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Merry Christmas to all travelers . . .
If you find youself away from home December 25th, try to capture the spirit of Christmas wherever you can find it.
It's out there in some of the most unexpected places!
Enjoy more vintage travel trailer art here.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Today is FESTIVUS | Send your cards . . .
Today is FESTIVUS. The made-up holiday created by George Costanza on Seinfeld as an antidote for the commercialization of Christmas.
Read about the Festivus Display at the Illinois Capitol.
Don't forget to send your cards!
Monday, December 22, 2008
M is for Manicure | Great Logo . . .
I think this letter M is such a clever design for a manicure cutlery company.
I got a vintage pair of pet nail clippers for Webster at at estate sale last week. The company is still in business using this logo. I wonder if MILLERS FORGE products are guaranteed perfect today?
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Korean Jar sells for almost $4.2 Million at Auction . . .
San Francisco, California:
International interest pushed the price for a circa 1800 Korean jar to nearly $4.2 million at Bonhams & Butterfields on December 9, 2008 setting a new auction world record.
The rare Joseon dynasty Korean blue and white porcelain jar was sold over the telephone, to an unidentified Asian buyer after a hotly contested bidding war among more than 12 clients, bidding from the salesroom floor and via telephones.
The mid-Joseon dynasty jar was discovered by Asian art department director Dessa Goddard in a monthly appraisal event held at the company's Sunset Boulevard gallery in Los Angeles. The jar was formerly in the collection of Mrs. Fiske Warren of Boston, part of the Mount Vernon Street Warren family. It has been in a family member's Southern California home for decades.
The jar was part of a worldwide tour prior to the auction. Its pre-auction estimate was $200/300,000, and the final selling price, including buyer's premium, was $4,184,000.
"We recognized that the subject matter of the Warren jar is unique," said Goddard. "One other jar in the Osaka Museum has a depiction of San Shin [mountain spirit] and his tiger; the Warren jar shows a bearded San Shin in the act of pulling the tiger's tail while basking under a pine tree, sun and clouds. The subject of the vase, together with its masterfully executed brush work, makes the jar of great importance to collectors of Korean art."
"Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you."
This Christmas Tree is To The Point . . .
There are so many clever people out there creating wonderful Christmas images from ordinary objects.
via poppypetunia (2nd photo)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Charles Dickens Christmas Card | FREE DOWNLOAD . . .
A Merry Dickensian Christmas to You!
This Oliver Twist parody says it all, doesn't it?
Print as many cards as you need.
FREE DOWNLOAD from THE GUARDIAN, UK
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Does Santa do on-site carpentry? . . .
via flickr
Grown-Up Christmas List by Michael Bublé (video) . . .
Grown-Up Christmas List by Michael Bublé
This is so moving. Please watch. You will be happy you did. Michael Bublé has the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wonderful Shakespeare Holiday Card ~ A FREE DOWNLOAD . . .
This is my Christmas wish for you!
You can thank me by leaving a comment!
Click here for my free download.