MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

{Our Datura Angel's Trumpets}

Already on June 10, Pieter photographed our Brugmansia species 'Angel's Trumpet' with its very first blossoms. Usually they continue to bloom all through summer. This year however, because of the drought, we've waited in vain - nothing has bloomed after these two. Sorry, not much to show but this is it for 2011. We got these beauties from Logee's. This Andean native is sweetly fragrant.

Its botanical name is: Datura inoxia var. quinquecuspida. Common names: devil's trumpet, downy thornapple, toloache, angel's trumpet. Family: Solanaceae (nightshade Family).

Since the extreme heat is over with, the Datura Angel's Trumpet has done her very best to please us. She will till frost and according to the weather forecast that will not be in November... Let's see how these sweetly fragrant blooms develop from a yellow bud into an almost pure white beauty.

Taken from below... I had to really bend backwards.

Those buds appear yellow at first and then turn into white.

Kind of folded together still. Do you see the splotches of white? Below you see them even better.

They grow as pot plants and will be moved inside the greenhouse once the frost is coming.

Our garden feels so relieved after the two scorching hot months... Let's hope things will look better in the spring.

Interesting links:

{Angel's Trumpet} | previous post by me
{Our last Datura Angel's Trumpets and TEA with a Twist} | previous post by me

BRUGMANSIAS and DATURAS | interesting info!

Monday, October 31, 2011

{1920s Limoges Camille Tharaud pâte-sur-pâte Angel/Cherub Box}

1920s French Limoges Camille Tharaud pâte-sur-pâte Angel/Cherub/Putti round box for your jewelry, candy or chocolates...

Camille Tharaud born in France in 1878 was probably the most important artist ever, for making Limoges Enameled Elegance.
He also mastered pâte sur pâte, or literally translated: paste on paste. The translation paste on paste however is misleading.
The dark tint of the cobalt blue used for these jewelry or candy boxes, makes these pâte sur pâte objects so striking.
They are finely painted and hand tooled on white slip. Tharaud's conception of the grand feu ̶ a single firing of an enameled piece at 1400 degrees ̶ literally locks the enamel decoration into the porcelain, permanently capturing the intended colors and decorating effects in one fell swoop.
You can read more on page 17 of the 2009 high gloss book Deco Décor by Donald-Brian Johnson Leslie Piña.
For you I do have this very special 1920s Camille Tharaud round Limoges box with pâte sur pâte enameled angel/cherub/putti reliefs.
Exclusively available at my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics.

Placed on a blue tea towel from Le Jacquard Français...

This box has a diameter of 6" and it is almost 3" high.

There is a letter 'J' in the underside of the box, as well as a T within a C with France above and Limoges below.
Also the C (Camille) Tharaud signature.

Sold out...

If you want to, you can get a matching brooch in a gold frame at Ruby Lane...

Christie's did auction off this heavenly plaque of pâte-sur-pâte by another artist, signed M. Chaufriasse Limoges.
That sold on April 24 of 2003 for $ 5,019! at CHRISTIE'S.

Related links:
{1930s Camille Tharaud Limoges Shaker for dusting YOUR Cappuccino's with Cocoa} | previous post by me

{Camille Tharaud Limoges Cobalt Blue Round pâte-sur-pâte box} | previous post by me
{2 French Camille Tharaud Limoges Angel-Cherub boxes} | previous post by me
{Early 1900s French Camille Tharaud Limoges pâte-sur-pâte plaque} | previous post by me
{20th Century French Limoges Pill Box with Ormolu - Gilt-Metal} | previous post by me
{1920s Limoges Camille Tharaud pâte sur pâte Angel Boxes} | previous post by me

Sunday, October 30, 2011

{Ceropegia ampliata - Bushman's Pipe - Horny Wonder}

From South Africa originated this very unusual plant: Ceropegia ampliata - Bushman's Pipe - Horny Wonder. We got it from Logee's in 2003 as a 2.5" potplant. They no longer have this in their collection however. We kept it inside our greenhouse for several years. This year, it was outside next to the Epiphyllum that I posted about on Thursday, October 27: Epiphyllum Bloom Missed Again. Doing my usual research I came across yet another name for this very unusual plant at Cartuz Greenhouses. They name the Ceropegia ampliata Bushman's Pipe, Horny Wonder, Condom Plant. Just click on the hyperlink to check it yourself.

This link > Ceropegia ampliata does not mention the Bushman's Pipe, nor the Horny Wonder or Condom Plant but gives in my opinion the best and most detailed information with great closeup photography. Now let's see what this is all about...