A beaded crystal chandelier with ceramic roses is the focal point of this window at Liberty & Co., London. The eclectic table setting features seashells and coral scattered amongst a silver tea service and porcelain dishes. A bisque doll's head fills a lotus bowl, while an original handblocked Japanese print circa 1895 tops a framed sketch.
An ornate Murano glass candlelabra is at the center of this design, along with various glass and crystal showpieces, including decanters and a large crystal pineapple.
This window at Liberty & Co. is decorated in 1940s style, with a Veronica Lake look-alike mannequin wearing a chiffon evening gown. A feathered headdress, beaded gowns, shoes, evening bags and crystal perfume bottles add to the glamourous ambience. Much of the goodies are tucked away in an antique vitrine lined with silk moire.
Some Liberty windows resemble an old cabinet d'curiositie, or cabinet of curiosities, which were popular in Victorian times.
I don't know many men with the confidence to pull off a silver sequined scarf wrapped around their neck - or give a gift tied with a man's silk cravat, satin ribbon, a tassle and antlers sprayed gold. Do you?
I hate reading your blog. I get so jealous, I'm afraid I will run away from home and responsibility and take the next plane to Europe. (Just kidding about the hate part). It is pure and simple jealousy.
Posted by: sarala | 17 November 2006 at 20:01
Wow those ceramic roses are so cool.
Posted by: krista | 17 November 2006 at 14:09
is that a fishing float?
i collect the hand blown ones....
Posted by: sophie | 17 November 2006 at 02:25
The chandelier is, of course, amazing but what really surprised me were the number of items I saw in these pictures that I have similar of = the doll's head, the shell, the silver pot, china cups, clocks, gold spiral bottle, etc. And all of it packed away. I really need to declutter and resurrect these treasures.
Posted by: annieelf | 16 November 2006 at 09:15
Now that is what I call window shopping. I do like the chandelier. It has a certain character to it that is nice. I don't know if it is so much confidence as a lack of shame, but I could totally dig the scarf and giving the present. I figure if I am having fun with it why worry about anyone else's impression...;) heh
Posted by: Mike | 16 November 2006 at 03:03
Fabulous.
I want to go to London!
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 15 November 2006 at 21:39
Yes, Giggles and Tinker, I think the idea of putting a doll's head or the puppet in the displays - something a bit creepy - was the stylist's idea of mixing it up and avoiding the look being too "pretty" and conventional. And a curiosity shop would have a combustible blend of attractive conventional items and strange ones.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 15 November 2006 at 19:42
The crystal chandelier is awe striking….all the windows are, but I have to agree with tinker about the dolls head, and puppet, rather eerie for me. Even if he’s a Charlie McCarthy relative, he creeps me out, too much of a Chucky simulation. Many other beautiful accoutrements divert the eye though. Also inspiration for a story about a crystal Chandelier my friend found!
Posted by: giggles | 15 November 2006 at 17:38
Beautiful displays and beautiful finds. How much fun it must be to walk through that shop.
Posted by: bella | 15 November 2006 at 16:13
I reckon a couple of my students might wear that scarf, they seem suprememly self-confident; not sure about the antlers though! Anyway, your pictures are making me homesick for wintery, christmasy windows!
Posted by: Kamsin | 15 November 2006 at 13:51
What interesting displays...though I have to admit, I find the doll's head (and some of the mannequins and ventriloquist's dummy) rather eerie and disturbing! Which is possibly the effect they were trying for?
As for the sequined scarf, etc, I'd have to say no - since I don't personally know Elton John or Michael Jackson, I can't think of any man that could possibly pull that look off. Even if I did know either of those two personally, I'm not certain if even they could pull it off!
Posted by: tinker | 15 November 2006 at 13:09
How fun would it be to dress those windows with all of the sumptious, yummy items!! Oh my. Just takes your breath away ... I understand how you would be snapping away to capture the wonderment of the story their trying to create! Lovely....
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 15 November 2006 at 12:32
I think the chandelier with ceramic roses is very romantic. Fancy that for my bedroom...
Also love the curiosity cabinet. FUN!
I don't know any man who could pull the sequined scarf off, but I am totally cool if my other half wants to (doubt it very much). I think it is as classy as wearing a tie with pink roses for a wedding, don't you think? Pure masculine confidence or... open display of gayness. Either way, I am completely behind it.
Cravat to tie a present? Nah, that is pure decadence!
xxx
Posted by: Nina | 15 November 2006 at 11:34
I think the chandelier with ceramic roses is very romantic. Fancy that for my bedroom...
I don't know any man who could pull the sequined scarf off, but I am totally cool if my other half wants to (doubt it very much). I think it is as classy as wearing a tie with pink roses for a wedding, don't you think? Pure masculine confidence or... open display of gayness. Either way, I am completely behind it.
Cravat to tie a present? Nah, that is pure decadence!
xxx
Posted by: Nina | 15 November 2006 at 11:31