Monday, December 21, 2015

Puzzling Evidence - You Can Call Me Al

Low sunlight streaming through a window this morning spotlighted my favorite Cloisonne Couple, Betty & Al, two Deco-era Chinese cloisonne pieces.

Al has an old scar on his shoulder, so sports a 1930s cloisonne brooch as a rakish bandolier.  I like the way the 3 goofy dragons complement Al's muscular shape.
Betty has a sort of Mae West look, don't you think?

If you'll be my bodyguard
I can be your long lost pal
I can call you Betty
And Betty when you call me
You can call me Al

You Can Cal Me Al, by Paul Simon.



Sunday, December 6, 2015

Puzzling Evidence - Deco Chinese Charm Jewelry 1930s: Miriam Haskell? Helen Burton's "The Camel Bell" Shops?

A correspondent sent photos of an extravagant necklace recently acquired from an antique shop, the dealer relating that it had come from an estate in Austria.




With magnification, the clasp reads "CHINA"
Former posts about this distinctive style of Oriental treasure charms jewelry:

Deco Chinese Charm Jewelry 1930s: Miriam Haskell? Helen Burton's "The Camel Bell" Shops?

Deco Chinese Charm Jewelry 1930s

An Unusual Miriam Haskell Style Necklace With Chinese Beads

Chinese Cloisonne Beads from the Art Deco Era

The Miriam Haskell Mystery

A Helen Burton Champleve Connection?

Again, the question persists - was the jewelry from this Chinese workshop sold in Helen Burton's Camel Bell shops in the Peking Hotel and the ship Empress of Britain?  Were they the inspiration for similar charm jewelry attributed to the Miriam Haskell & Frank Hess atelier? Could there be a connection with the Neiger Brothers? None of the aforementioned?
Puzzling evidence...