Innholdsfortegnelse for January/February 2019 i Victoria

On a cold and frosty day, is there anything more enchanting than the opportunity to pause for a moment’s repose? The promise of even a few unhurried hours seems to literally sparkle with possibility. It is often during this quiet time—whether lost in a fascinating book or engrossed in a creative pursuit—that we find a renewal of joy. Perhaps the only prospect more refreshing to my spirit than an afternoon whiled away in solitude is one spent in the company of friends. With that thought in mind, we are delighted to welcome two cherished contributors to our pages for 2019. Writer-in-Residence Carol Rizzoli, author of The House at Royal Oak, returns nearly a decade after her first tenure with Victoria. Her essay on page 13 reminds us of the incomparable…

“WINTER … IS A TIME TO GATHER GOLDEN MOMENTS, EMBARK UPON A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, AND ENJOY EVERY IDLE HOUR.” —John Boswell…

Winter white weddings can be beautiful affairs, and that season is also when many brides-to-be start planning summer and fall nuptials, taking notes and gathering ideas from bridal fairs, family traditions, and even the most recent royal marriage ceremony. Perhaps the customs of Regency England will offer some inspiration as well. READING THE BANNS Before the union could take place, the local clergyman would announce on three consecutive Sundays a couple’s intention to marry, in an effort to deter wrongful weddings. Imagine a shy young lady’s self-conscious delight to hear her name paired with her beloved’s in the presence of her neighbors. WEDDING FINERY A bride might wear white—it was a popular color for formal gowns then anyway—but white was not the universal choice until later in the Victorian period.…

Strolling through the massive showroom at Inessa Stewart’s Antiques & Interiors in Texas is akin to visiting one of the great palaces of Europe, with ornate gilded mirrors, marble-top tables, and carved mahogany beds at every turn. Ecclesiastical items, from Madonna figures to prayer benches, mingle with French faience plates and gleaming copper pots. It is an antiques aficionado’s dream—and a dream-come-true for the owner. “My passion for history and antiques began as a child when my mother and I would attend museums, art galleries, opera, ballet, and theatre,” says Inessa, who spent her childhood in the Black Sea port city of Odessa. “Being steeped in such a rich cultural heritage made a profound impression, and to this day, I strive to re-create that magic everywhere I can.” And the…

We have reached one of the saddest times on the calendar: when all of the lovely Yuletide trimmings must come down and be packed away into boxes for another year. I know that I should be excited about the New Year, but I rarely am. Instead, I am saddened to see the Christmas season go with all of its wonder, sparkle, and love. No more lights twinkle on houses, or trees, or in children’s eyes. I must put away the cherished decorations that remind me of the happiest times of childhood. “I want to remember the joy, the expectancy, the generosity that overflows in this season of the year, and I must make an effort to hold on to it.” Since I was a little girl, it has been my…

Take a closer look at some of our favorite January/February features: Sweet Sentiments Esteemed Artist-in-Residence Stephanie Monahan’s tokens of affection bring together a love of personal letters, ephemera, and the art of paper crafting. Blue & White Tradition Elegant china from Royal Delft, the last remaining Delftware pottery in the Netherlands, adds a hallmark of grace to the table. A Haven of Lace Steal away to Northern Ireland, where the most delicate of stitches find oasis in a shop and museum dedicated to preserving their rich legacy of hand-crafted beauty. Comfort in a Cup While winter winds blow, settle in before the hearth with our delectable recipes. Each steaming beverage and freshly baked treat brings home an unforgettable taste of the local coffeehouse. Visit our website to read this issue’s…

“MY HEART TO YOU IS GIVEN: OH, DO GIVE YOURS TO ME; WE’LL LOCK THEM UP TOGETHER, AND THROW AWAY THE KEY.” —Frederick Saunders Secured with a wisp of silk ribbon, a papiermâché box decorated in the style of a vintage French jewelry store package seems to sparkle in its own right. A nod to bijouterie boxes—small pine containers used to post baubles during the nineteenth century—this contemporary interpretation employs the art of découpage to evoke the charm of timeworn parcels bearing their original tax imprints and wax seals. Stephanie Monahan’s atelier brims with the makings for these romantic keepsakes. Collecting ephemera blossomed into a cottage industry for the proprietress, who masterfully blends nostalgic images with fragments of typography and script to produce stationery imbued with heritage. These lovely pages…

Snow is falling on Main Street in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, with delicate flakes drifting onto the six inches of powder already covering the ground. In the gray stone vestibule of St. Paul’s Church, a recasting of Daniel Chester French’s winged sculpture The Spirit of Life lifts outstretched arms toward the silvered sky, while ice crystals etch lacy patterns on the multi-paned windows of the welcoming Red Lion Inn. Pedestrians, bundled up in smart wool coats, go about their business, unfazed by the weather, as children excitedly dash home to tote their sleds to the nearest hill, engaging in good-natured snowball fights along the way. This idyllic picture may seem like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting—and indeed, it is. The beloved portrayer of everyday American life captured this very scene…

VICTORIA FANNING CROWN LINEN DESIGNS Kirkland, Washington “Being in the presence of beauty transforms me.” Aserene color palette and tasteful details draw attention to coordinates from Crown Linen Designs, but it is the luxurious feel of the brand’s signature fabric that truly invites repose. From crisp napkins and romantic ruffle-edged shams to casually elegant dresses, blouses, and scarves, the label delivers textiles and garments imbued with classic style. Although the company was established five years ago in Kirkland, Washington, wares reflect deep roots of European heritage. An all-natural cloth made from flax, this prized commodity garners praise for its breathability and enduring quality. “It is beautiful to the eye and to the touch,” proprietress Victoria Fanning says, “and there isn’t anything better for your body than linen clothing and bedding.”…

Last year was pivotal for me, as I took the first steps to begin a new chapter in my life. I mentally set the timer to signal the end of a successful twenty-five-year sales career. This profession brought many personal and financial rewards but never held my heart or fulfilled my passion. For a while now, I have dabbled with developing a cooking blog. Inspired by the island of Martha’s Vineyard, where my husband and I recently purchased a vacation home, I am ready to start anew, following my dream to become a writer. As I survey the past with fondness, I look to the future with anticipation. Turning the page, I embark on an exhilarating journey. I’m reminded of a favorite poem by Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on…

In the latter part of the nineteenth century, a trend began in England that would eventually grow to change the way people think about nature and our relationship to it. And it all started with the collectors. A passion for acquiring and displaying natural specimens developed as Great Britain spread an empire across the globe. Travel to far-flung parts of the kingdom resulted in the discovery of rare and exotic species and a lively trade back to England in butterflies, bird eggs, feathers, insects, and even live animals. There was genteel competition among people of means to acquire unique or especially beautiful specimens, and collections were displayed prominently in Victorian homes. Collection cases of fine butterflies were sold at auction by Sotheby’s for more than two hundred pounds sterling—a princely…

“EVERY MAN SHOULD BE BORN AGAIN ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY. START WITH A FRESH PAGE.” —Henry Ward Beecher When the first entry in the diary notes a convivial gathering of loved ones, January seems to sparkle with the promise of memories yet to be made. Fill this day with an invitation to dream about the best of what is to come over a banquet of mouthwatering fare. Crisp linens, delicately edged plates, and lush blooms cultivate a serene ambiance in shades of alabaster, while the flicker of candlelight catches the gleam of cut-crystal accoutrements, lending a sense of celebration to the occasion. Above left: Turning over a new leaf is a tasty prospect with our Endive with Pear and Blue Cheese on offer. This refreshing starter holds a salad…

With origins reaching back to the earliest days of Roman, Grecian, and Egyptian cultures, glyptic carving, a term which refers to cameos and intaglios, is an art form that is as timeless as it is beautiful. From delicate flowers etched on glass to historical figures chiseled in stone, the variety of subjects and mediums is seemingly endless. Although similar in appearance, there is a distinct difference between these two forms. A cameo features a relief image raised from its background, whereas an intaglio has an indented appearance, made by carving down into the material. Both methods produce detailed depictions that have won favor for centuries. Known for their delicate and feminine motifs, cameos oftentimes feature in women’s jewelry, whether placed on a necklace, a bracelet, or a pair of earrings.…

When Chinese porcelain production began to wane in the mid-seventeenth century, it opened up opportunities for European companies to fill the void. In the Netherlands’s city of Delft alone, thirty-two potteries sprang up, each one intent on capturing its share of the market. It was here, in 1653, that David Anthonisz van der Pieth founded an earthenware factory he named De Porceleyne Fles, which translates as “The Porcelain Jar.” The company changed hands numerous times through the years, with each successive owner adding to its reputation as the predominant Delftware maker. To honor the enterprise’s contributions to the industry and to the country, the ruling family granted it the “Royal” designation in 1919. Thereafter, the business was known as Royal Delft, an appellation that remains today. “WHAT LAND IS THIS?…

WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 13–14: Carol Rizzoli, an essayist, memoirist, and journalist, is the author of several books. To sample more of Carol’s work, visit her website at carolrizzoli.org. ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 15–16: To explore artisan Stephanie Monahan’s range of papers, craft supplies, and other wares, visit her website at monahanpapers.com. A TOUCH OF ROMANCE Page 19: Astier de Villatte: Victoria Teapot, $340, Cube Box, $250, Alexandre Teacup, $115, Chou 7 Petals Side Plate, $70; from Sue Fisher King, 888-811-7276, suefisherking.com. The Shortbread Shop: Traditional Flavored Shortbreads, $15, Brown Sugar Shortbreads, $15, Brown Sugar Petite Bag, $9; hello@theshortbreadshop.com, theshortbreadshop.com . Teaspressa: Cape Town Tea Jar, $20, London Fog Luxe Elixir, $28, White Peppermint Mocha Sugar Stick, $17; 917-710-5748, teaspressa.com. Page 20: AE Ceramics: Medium Nesting Bowl in Pearl, $115, Traditional Oyster Platter in…