Elizabeth is holding a ceramc cat that is also a planter. Similar cat figurines were sold by Haeger - The one aboe has a painted face like that seen on Made in Japan imports.
Monthly Archives: February 2016
Irrational Man: Vintage Nautical Sconce
A ship wheel sconce seen in Woody Allen's movie, Irrational Man, looked vaguely familiar - where had I seen it before? I had been watching reruns of I Love Lucy and there it was, a wall light on Lucy Ricardo's kitchen just like it. 
Marilyn Style Sweater
Now you can have your own hand knit Marilyn style sweater made to measure:
Cary Grant at the Hollywood Brown Derby
Cary Grant was one of a galaxy of movie stars that could be spotted dining at the legendary Hollywood Brown Derby restaurannt on Vine Street. Pictured above sometime during the golden era of Hollywood and the Studio system Cary is enjoying his food from one the willow pattern plates that reminded the diners of home. Cary is also examining the wooden cigarette box made in the shape of a derby hat that was placed on each dining table.
Lady Edith’s Chinese Horse Statues
When Lady Edith brings Bertie Pelham back to her London flat in season 6 of Downton Abbey we could not help noticing a pair of large green Chinese tang pottery horses above the bookshelves.
There are some very similar chinese horse statues on eBay currently. 
Click picture to see it on eBay
Lady Violet’s Louis XVI Regency Sconce
Add a touch of Downton Style with a French Regency Louis XVI ormolu sconce. The gilded bronze sconce (similar one below) is apparent in many of the scenes in Lady Violet's drawing room in the dower house on Downton Abbey
See details on eBay
Lady Mary: Crystal Perfume Bottle
I notice a pretty crystal glass perfume decanter bottle on Lady Mary Crawley's dressing table. I see a range of similar crystal glass perfume bottles on eBay Click HERE for a selection.
So what fragrances might someone like Lady Mary have worn? In her decanter she may have kept natural floral essential oil based toilet waters. 1912, the year in which the Downton Abbey sereies begins, was the year the fragrance L'Heure Bleue or 'the blue hour' was created by Jacques Guerlain. From the House of Caron in Paris came “N’Aimez que Moi” in 1916, and “Tabac Blond” in 1919, 1920 perfumes include Chanel No. 5 which was launched in 1921 and would have been familiar to somebody like Lady Mary Crawley. Guerlain’s Shalimar, was launched in 1925 and became one of the most popular fragrances of all time. Guerlain’s Shalimar was named after the Gardens of Shalimar in Lahore, Pakistan, which were built for Mumtaz Mahal, the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built.
Downton Abbey: Mrs Hughes Willow Basket
Mrs Hughes accompanied by Mr Carson walks to the home farm to collect produce for Downton Abbey. She carries a classic traditional hand woven willow basket. Here are a couple of similar willow baskets.
This rustic basket is similar to Mrs Hughes basket at an affordable price on eBay Click HERE to view
And here is a similar one from Amazon:
Lady Violet’s Statue of Flying Mercury
Seen in Lady Violet's dower house on Downton Abbey, a statue of Giambologna's Flying Mercury, the Greek messenger of the gods.. Mercury is depicted wearing a winged petasus on his head and winged sandals which give him speed in flight. He carries the caduceus in his hand, a wand given to him by Apollo.
The Dowager’s Papier Mache Table
Lady Violet Dowager Countess of Grantham played by Dame Maggie Smith, sits by her Victorian Papier Mache Table on the set of Downton Abbey. Antique tilt-top papier mache tables with mother of pearl inlay are collectors items and make for an interesting conversation piece in your drawing room. An elaborate example pictured above right can be seen on eBay this week (Click Here to view).
