Sunday 28 September 2014

Absinthe

The end of the XIXth Century and the beginning of the XXth Century have been marked in Paris by the rising of a highly dangerous alcoholic drink : Absinthe was a very fashionable drink with a great popularity among Parisian artists and writers. The green coloured spirit, often referred to as "the green fairy " was The Must of the time. I had to have one Absinthe set in my Art Nouveau House.

" Traditionally, absinthe is prepared by placing a sugar cube on top of a specially designed slotted spoon, and placing the spoon on a glass filled with a measure of absinthe. Iced water is poured or dripped over the sugar cube to slowly and evenly distribute the water into the absinthe. "
                                                                                                                 says Wikipedia


 
Here is my tray with the bottle, glasses, spoons, sugar and absinthe.
 It is when I took a final look at the picture that I suddenly realized that I had forgotten...the water !






For the veneered tray, I used a very popular Art Nouveau design with iris by Gallé. The varnish is way too glossy. I will change this for a matt finish. To be honest I saw a better veneered tray on Josje blog, A Beautiful World. I still have to improve my skills!





Saturday 27 September 2014

Art Nouveau House

Summer is over at last, and so is my moving. My Art Nouveau house has found a new home in my living room. I also had some time to make new minis.




It has been a long time since I posted pictures of my house. The front is not completely finished, it lacks windows and balustrade.


 
I have an Egyptian Mummy in my Curiosities Cabinet. As you can see, it's a royal one with fine linen wrapping and a golden diadem. I'm still unsure about the datation, maybe an unknown king of the XIIth Dynasty.