"Of articles collected on his various expeditions, there was such a vast miscellany that it was like the dwelling of an amiable Corsair. There were antiquities from Central Italy, made by the best modern houses in that department of industry; bits of mummy from Egypt (and perhaps Birmingham) ; model gondolas from Venice; model villages from Switzerland; morsels of tesselated pavement from Herculaneum and Pompeii, like petrified minced veal; ashes out of tombs, and lava out of Vesuvius ; Spanish fans, Spezzian straw hats, Moorish slippers, Tuscan hair-pins, Carrara sculpture, Trastaverini scarves, Genoese velvets and filagree, Neapolitan coral, Roman cameos, Geneva jewellery, Arab lanterns, rosaries blest all round by the Pope himself, and an infinite variety of lumber. There were views, like and unlike, of a multitude of places ; and there was one little picture-room devoted to a few of the regular sticky old Saints, with sinews like whipcord, hair like Neptune's, wrinkles like tattooing, and such coats of varnish that every holy personage served for a fly-trap, and became what is now called in the vulgar tongue a Catch-em-alive O."
Little Dorrit, Charles Dickens
If there was one thing Victorians were obsessed with, it was curiosities. Souveniers from exotic places abroad, strange little one-of-a-kind odditties, and anything under glass. Seriously, they loved putting things under glass. Bugs, hair, you name it.
I love this quote from Little Dorrit because it conjures up a million visions of different curiosities, both fantastical and grotesque. Here are a couple of my favorite modern-day, Victorian-inspired curiosities, trinkets, and oddities!
This "Mini museum" by ComeDayGoDay is as intriguing as it is visually appealing. Can't you just see this in a Victorian parlor being contemplated by a mustachioed, pipe-smoking man?
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37065811
I love this print by DearDodo, so whimsical and sweet. It looks like it could have come straight out of a Victorian children's book. Check out their shop, tons of lovely, Victorian-inspired artwork!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37828422
This is so cool. An ID wallet/cigarette case with an amazing image from an 1880s cabinet card from Sweetheartsinner. If that's not a conversation piece, I don't know what is. Make sure to check out the website too!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44490470http://www.sweetheartsinner.com/
Ok, so these would be a great conversation piece too. You always hear about the tattooed ladies (i.e. Lydia), but tattooed gents never get the credit they deserve. There's just something about these earrings from Mamaslittlebabies that are so appealing...I feel like they would always be watching out for you, ready to defend your ear's honor!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44689440
Ok, last thing I'm going to show off from my shop, I promise. The last show I did I met an amazing woodworker, Paul Baines. Paul has been making some beautiful mahogany pieces for me, including this new box.
Sweetanthem offers 2ml samples of vegan perfume for only $5.00! The "Caroline" scent contains notes of sarsaparilla, bergamot, and champagne among others. Good for four or five applications, you can buy a few before committing to one of her tempting scents!
These gorgeous hair clips from NotSoShabbyChic feature creamy rose cabochons and antiqued brass. At just $8 they are an affordable way to add a little Victorian romance to your look!
This adorable little ring from Verowarren features a sweet Victorian lady's style boot, and is mounted on copper wire. For only $6 you may want to check out all of her great Victorian button rings!
This "Mini museum" by ComeDayGoDay is as intriguing as it is visually appealing. Can't you just see this in a Victorian parlor being contemplated by a mustachioed, pipe-smoking man?
This is so cool. An ID wallet/cigarette case with an amazing image from an 1880s cabinet card from Sweetheartsinner. If that's not a conversation piece, I don't know what is. Make sure to check out the website too!
