A Major Score, Handmade Reproduction Tapestry "Lady of the Unicorn"

I have never seen the famous "Lady of the Unicorn" (La Dame à la licorne) at the Cluny Museum in Paris, but now I definitely will. With my beloved La Chienne not feeling well I needed some beauty in my life and so I headed to my favorite brocante in Paris, on the Quai de la Seine, for much needed retail therapy.

There it was high on the wall and immediately I was charmed, but I have not been the only one to be forever changed by the beauty of these six tapestries. Authors George Sand, Jean Genet, and even J.K. Rowling (the tapestries are hanging in the fictional Gryffidor common room) were also enchanted.

"If something happens," I said to myself, "it will be the appearance of a unicorn. Such a place and a such a place can only produce a unicorn." Jean Genet, A Thief's Journal

Not being one to resist impulse when enchanted, I promptly asked if it could be brought down from the wall. The kind salesman, who knows us well I think, climbed over a few pieces of furniture in order to get to it . A quick inspection revealed that this was not an ordinary run-of-the-mill reproduction. It was obviously made by hand and in high quality wool fibers. The colors are deep and bright and the condition was nearly immaculate and what wasn't could be easily cured with a gentle vacuuming. The previous owner or maker pre-stretched on to a canvas frame with a wire for hanging and GRANDSARD signed on the back.

This made me curious. After a quick Google.fr search turned up two GRANDSARDs who were heavily involved in tapestry making, though I was unable to discover to what degree.

Being an ebay junky I immediately searched ebay to see how much of a bargain the beautiful tapestry really was. I paid 50,00 euros for my new treasure. Ebay.fr has many reproductions, but nothing handmade for less than ten times the price.

The Lady of the Unicorn tapestries that hang in the Cluny Museum in Paris are full of symbols, some from alchemy, and each of the six tapestries has a specific meaning. Five represent the senses and the sixth known as "Mon seul desir" (My only desire). My new treasure represents "Sight" and what a beautiful sight it is!

The original six tapestries, Cluny Musuem Paris

Lady of the Unicorn Tapestry, "Sight"

The treasure, probably to be placed over the bed.

Lion detail on my tapestry.

Lady and the Unicorn detail.

Rabbit and Fox.

Good dog.

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Peter Greenaway's film, "The Pillow Book"

I recently rewatched Peter Greenaway's film The Pillowbook, based on the novel written by Sei Shonagon during Japan's Heian period.  There are many reasons to see this film if you haven't from the interlaced quotes from Shonagon's book, to the sets, and of course Martin Margiela's costumes created specifically for the film.

Since my eyes are trained more towards decor these days, I made a mental note of the elements in the sets that I really enjoyed. The film takes place in many different rooms and settings, all centered around the main characters obsessions with writing and aesthetics and beauty. Here are a few that were particularly interesting.

This first screenshot is just one of the book filled rooms that the movie takes place in, and while I know those bookshelves are highly impractical, I love overfilled bookshelves. 

I have a horrible habit of putting knickknacks and random objects on the unfilled edges of my bookshelves. These particular shelves in the film remind me of the Danish-Scandanavian design bookshelves you can find in a lot of brocantes and design stores in Paris. I like basic the basic wood aspect with natural finish and the cleaness compared to the clutter.

But my favorite piece of furniture in the movie is this massive antique cabinet turned into a stationary supply cupboard. Or as Monsieur says, a tabernacle of ink and paper.

A storage solution you would never see in an Office Depot catalog.

I am a big fan (big fan here really means impulsive-obsessive) of office supplies. I have boxes upon boxes full of different size and style paper clips, Post-It notes, various staplers, note writing paper, notebooks, pens & pencils, and art supplies. I like to keep these things around because if I ever do find the inspiration, I want to have them immediately. Unfortunately in their current state by the time I've managed to find that one marker I wanted, the inspiration has passed.

In the film, when she opens the cupboard or closes the cupboard it's an artistic statement. She's ready to get to work. I've been trying to have the same serious artistic feeling about opening my laptop, but it's just not the same thing.

Since I don't have the space for a tabernacle of office supplies, I've tried to find a smaller solution. Something as beautifully made to give the same dramatic effect that within this object are the tools of my trade.

One of my favorite places for decor items is Maisons du Monde (Houses of the World). Here you can find nice wood pieces from a company that does care about the environment. I remembered seeing a really nice dresser of drawers (perfect for supplies) when I last visited one of their shops.

Mango wood cabinets, with brass accents 300,00 euros.

My favorite is the cabinet in the back with the little shelf that pulls out. I could definitely see that as being useful when digging around for things or wanting just to staple a few pages together, though it's hardly a tabernacle and for 300,00 euros I'm positive I could find something cheaper and nicer at any of the brocantes or vide greniers (meaning attic purging, the French equivalent of a garage sale where people in the neighborhood sell their wares on the sidewalk) for much less and it's a more environmentally friendly option. Still I like the idea of having a chest full of small drawers for office supplies, even if it's not the ode to stationary supplies found in the film.

One of the most interesting connections made in the film is that every aspect from the physical appearance of the characters, to the settings, to the clothing, to even the way the characters speak is all taken from Shonagon's lists or observations of how the world is or how the world should be.

Here is one example of a list from Sei Shonagon's fascinating little book, and probably my favorite.

Elegant Things*

A white coat worn over a violet waistcoat.

Duck eggs.

Shaved ice mixed with liana syrup and put in a new silver bowl.

A rosary of rock crystals.

Wisteria blossoms. Plum blossoms covered in snow.

A pretty child eating strawberries.

* Keep in mind she was a princess.

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