AN IRISH CHRISTMAS CAROL

 Irish History: "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

During the centuries when it was a crime to be Catholic and to practice one's faith, in public or private, in Ireland and England "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as a "catechism song" to help youngCatholics learn the beliefs of their faith. It was a memory aid-when being caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, one could be hung.

Many of the Irish Christmas songs have hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song "The Twleve Days of Christmas"  doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.

A Partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ, the son of God.
Two turtle doves = The Old and New Testaments

Three french hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the theological virtues.
Four calling birds = The four Gospels and/or the four Evangelists.
Five golden rings symbolic for The first five books of the Old Testament (The Pentateuch).
Six geese a-laying represent the Six days of creation and
Seven swans a swimming refers to The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven Sacraments.

Eight maids a-milking  symbolizes The eight Beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing represents The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit  as well as the nine
 classifications of angels.
The Ten lords a-leaping reference The Ten Commandments.

 

 The Eleven pipers piping  represents The eleven faithful apostles.
Twelve drummers drumming are The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed. 

Full Lyrics

"12 Days Of Christmas"

On the first day of christmas
my true love gave to me
a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Five Golden Rings,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.


On the sixth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Six Geese-a-Laying,
Five Golden Rings,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Seven Swans-a-Swimming,
Six Geese-a-Laying,
Five Golden Rings,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Eight Maids-a-Milking,
Seven Swans-a-Swimming,
Six Geese-a-Laying,
Five Golden Rings,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Nine Ladies Dancing,
Eight Maids-a-Milking,
Seven Swans-a-Swimming,
Six Geese-a-Laying,
ohhh, awww-e-awww,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.


On the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Ten Lords-a-Leaping,
Nine Ladies Dancing,
Eight Maids-a-Milking,
Seven Swans-a-Swimming,
Six Geese-a-Laying,
Five Golden Rings,
Four
Three French
Two Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Eleven Pipers Piping,
Ten Lords-a-Leaping,
Nine Ladies Dancing,
Eight Maids-a-Milking,
Seven Swans-a-Swimming,
Six Geese-a-Laying,
Five Golden Rings,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

On the twelvth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me,
Twelve Drummers Drumming,
Eleven Pipers Piping,
Ten Lords-a-Leaping,
Nine Ladies Dancing,
Eight Maids-a-Milking,
Seven Swans-a-Swimming,
Six Geese-a-Laying,
Five Golden Rings,
Four Calling Birds,
Three French Hens,
Two Turtle Doves,
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.  

May you have a blessed Irish Christmas and a Happy New Year

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TIFFANY'S JEWELED BOUQUET

In 1885, at the tender age of 26, G. Paulding Farnham  (1859-1927) joined Tiffany’s design department. Studying under Edward Moore, Farnham quickly distinguished himself as a skillful and innovative artist. Paulding. arguably was Tiffany and Company's most eminent nineteenth-century jewelry designer. He was given the responsibility, with Moore, of designing the jewelry for Paris’s international "world's fair" exposition in 1889 and was “universally recognized as the genius” behind Tiffany's success. According to The Paris Herald, noted Farnham," whose fertility of imagination and power of invention may be best judged by the fact that there are no two similar objects in the exhibit", the orchids were acclaimed as the most original and finest of jewels of the exhibition there-by winning the grand prize gold medal for jewellery. (Orchid Photo Left. Christies's Auction: Sold $40,723 Yr: 2010)

Farnham's fabulous collection of twenty-four realistically rendered enamelled orchid hair ornaments and corsage jewels enamelled and bejeweled florals were unsurpassed in beauty and detail. The New York Sun reported on March 17, 1889, that the jewels attracted more attention "than any flower show, display of orchids, or any other of nature's beauty ever brought together in this city."
(Photo) Iris Brooch  This flower pin with a textured gold stem and diamond-set leaves is enhanced by a single diamond dewdrop set amid the realistically rendered purple enamel petals. The gentle arc of its stem and the naturalistic blossom reflect the Art Nouveau style, which inspired jewelers toward the end of the century. The enameled orchids is part of G. Paulding Farnham Collection.

G. PAULDING FARNHAM success was ascribed to the synergistic relationship he shared with his gemologist George Frederick Kunz, who provided him with a fantastic array of colored stones including conch pearls, pink topaz, demantoid garnet, Mexican fire opals, Montana sapphires, and Arizona turquoise.

Orchids were a symbol of wealth and status during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, and orchid fever was at its height when Tiffany and Co. displayed its examples at the Paris Exposition. Consequently, collectors of real orchids, such as the financier Jay Gould who purchased most of the collection, began to collect Farnham’s jeweled ones for personal enjoyment.  By 1900 Tiffany had expanded its stock to include 15 more varieties. (See Photo right)

The Iris Brooch (Above) purchased at the 1900 Paris Exposition by railroad magnate Henry Walters. It is another important example of American Victorian naturalism. This large piece possesses dramatically curved petals mounted with Montana sapphires, flashing blue to deep lavender, accented by yellow sapphires and diamond veining as a creative interpretation. The equally detailed stem exhibits a life-like texture and delicate joints sprouting green garnet leaves.  

(photo left: Enamel and pearl flower brooch by Tiffany and Co.)

Despite Farnham’s star-studded success, he was dethroned as design director at Tiffany two years later in 1902 by Louis Comfort Tiffany when he assumed the leadership role when his father died. In 1908, Farnham resigned from Tiffany and Company due to creative disputes with Louis Tiffany.

Farnham finshed his career as sculptor and painter after leaving his position at Tiffany's and moved his family West settling in Mill Valley, California.  Today, Paulding Farnham jewels can only found in private collections and museums or purchased through priviate auctions.


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LALIQUE: MAGIC OF MISTLETOE

The practice and use of mistletoe began with the ancient priests of Celts who cut the mistletoe from sacred oaks and gave it to the towns people for charms.  The early Europeans used mistletoe as a ceremonial plant and mythology speaks of "arrows from mistletoe."  


In contemporary times this practice of utilizing mistletoe became a Christmas tradition which involved standing beneath a mistletoe sprig and forfeiting a kiss if caught. Certainly, a most charming and enjoyable traditions that brings a smile to the unsuspected.  For those that collect and enjoy fine crystal it has become a family tradtion to capture the beauty and enjoyment of that moment through the artistry of Lalique.  The Lalique Annual Holiday Collector's series by Marie-Claude Lalique began with Noel in 1988. In 1989 the traditon continued with a brilliant blue Noel. 

Rene Lalique's grand-daughter, Marie-Claude, created this limited edition engraved holiday ornament in honor of her grand-father and his first major exposition as a master glassmaker and leader in contemporary glass design at the Place Vendome, Paris.  Rene designed a green glass medallion highlighted with mistletoe design on the front and molded lettering to invite patrons to his gallery to celebrate the ocassion.  Seventy years later, Marie-Claude,  was so captivated by the beauty of the design that she decided to transform the concept into a Christmas ornament.  The introduction of the crystal Noel holiday ornament began yet another Lalique tradition and it's shining lights have been enjoyed in beautiful homes around the country ever since.  Whether these shimmering mistletoe illuminaries are hung on the Christmas tree or displayed under a doorway, its beauty and magic wil continue to delight both one and old way beyond that holiday kiss.


Happy Holidays Everyone.  Visit our shop this season for some very special savings on many luxury brands from Lalique crystal, porcelain, silver, designer jewelry, Cartier watches and more  


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OH GOODNESS, WHAT JEWELS!

I loved actress Mae West. Sad to say that we were not of the same generation!   She was a one-woman sexual revolution.  Only five foot tall Ms. West, was best known for her sassy wit and her double ententes. I'll bet that even in our day of total sexual freedom this little ball of dynamite could show us gals a few things or two.  Born Mary Jane West in Brooklyn on August 17, 1893 she was a daughter of a prize-fighter.  She was a former corset model in her twenties and was in vaudeville.  Her voluptuous figure, flirtatious nature, and sharp wit won her many male admirers; however, fame did not come for a long time, not until she was 33 when she wrote her starred in her first play "sex" in 1926.  The play was declared "obscene" because of its raunchy dialogue and subject matter.  The play drew crowds of over 300,000 and patrons were shocked calling in the police to have her arrested for "corruption of morals" charge.  Her trial took over three months and she was found guilty and sentenced 10 days in prison and $500 fine.     

I also loved the fact that she did not want to ever be a Mrs. Anybody.  Don't get me wrong, I am a Mrs. Somebody for over 30 years and would not change a day of it.  I admire the fact that she knew who she was and what her best attributes were and she went ahead and capitalized on it.  So, Lady Gaga . . . eat your heart out, your not the first, nor the last to use your sexuality and talent to become famous.   Mae certainly loved her men. . . .  "So many and so little time.!" she would say.  Her second love was jewelry. Must be in our genes ladies.   Did any of you see the movie  "Night After Night" (1932) where she co-stared with George Raft. There was a scene when a hat-check girl says to Mae, "Oh goodness, what jewels!" Her response was "Goodness has nothing to do with it."  The benefits of the sexual revolution and women's equality movement has changed women's lives in many positive ways,  and in some ways I feel we have lost a lot.  Without going into the pros and cons of this new found freedom, what it does bring is more responsibility. 


Mae West died on November 22, 1980 at 87.  In October 2000 her estate auction off many of her costume jewelry piece at substantial prices.  No other actress has had such an impact on social morals of her time. If her play "sex" was ever reproduced today the audience make-up might be the same, but critics would no doubtedly review her performance as "timid" compared to what is considered truly "obscene" in the 21st. century.


A final quote on the men in Mae's life:  "Every man I meet wants to protect me.  I can't figure out from what!    


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AGE OLD QUESTION: IS FASHION ART?

This is an age old question that has been ask many times over the centuries.  It is a question that does not encompass fashion alone but includes literature, poetry, music, painting, cinema and, of course, the art of jewelry and fashion design  With the advent of so many art forms of expressions over the centuries there is little debate that both jewlery and fashion have captured the hearts of Americans as a major source of expression.  Early Haute couture fashion created an era of "being" where as life today has changed to an era of "appearing."  Haute couture will not die for lack of artists or clients, but because the lifestyles, events, places and occasions permitting it to exist has disappeared.

As Picasso was to modern art, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent is to the art of couture.  These forms of genre are creative expression by gifted artists using different mediums.  When a couturier creates a work of art it is using fabrics, textiles, etc., as opposed to an artist painting on canvas. Fashion can never be abstract. It's purpose of existence is to be lived, to be worn, experienced, expressed and to be bold or chic to share the lives of those that wear it.

Since the mid 60's fashion creations so long associated with Haute Couture has evolved into a vibrant pret-a-port (french)  "ready-to-wear" fashions.  It is during this cross-over that French designer Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Oscar De La Renta,  Chanel, Christian Dior and other notables embraced the opportunity to market their designs to the masses. European designers understood that they needed to explore new horizons and boutiques opened up across the country independent of the coturre houses.  Handbags, wallets, scarves, belts and jewelry all became great sources of added wealth for these creators.

Once the door was opened to "pret-a-port" apparel the market quickly introduced an influx of "fashion creators" who were not from the world of haute couture but were both creative and talented in very different way of expression and theatre.  Haute couture designer clothes are immediately recognizable, they were individual pieces of art with its own language and inspiration.  Each telling its own story of afflulence definable by its wearer.

Yves Saint Laurent the first of many.  French Designer, YSL, ready to wear line was revolutionary in its time by introducing a ready made signature line that was once exclusive for a select few.  Fifty years later, the designer brands  continues to be even more popular than ever before growing into a  large and receptive global market who's appetites for artistic expression ravishly devour and embrace the latest hot trends to hit the market by some unknown new designer soon to be famous.   Yesterday, today or tomorrow,  Fashion is Art.  A moveable or portable art where the consumer is the canvas and in turn becomes the artist creating its own theatre and language of communication.


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