ca. 1860’s, [small part of a collection of 570 anatomically perfect glass sculptures of jellyfishes, octopus, squid, anemones, and nudibranchs],  Father-and-son glassmakers Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka

via Cornell University, Albert R. Mann Library, Blaschka Collection of Invertebrate Models

Richard Cecil, Gift for Mourners (1833), pub. American Tract Society

via the Library Company of Philadelphia, Cloth Bindings Database

steampunktendencies:

The Gentleman’s Surprise Chair (Circa 1880)

(via jeanfivintage)

Helmets of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V circa 1540 (by Desiderius Helmschmid), 1545 (by Kolman Helmschmid), and 1530 (by Filippo and Francesco Negroli) respectively.

(Source: stannisbaratheon, via vinaigrette)

drtuesdaygjohnson:

catafalques:

‘THE ROUCHOMOVSKY SKELETON’:  A RUSSIAN GOLD ARTICULATED SKELETON IN SILVER-GILT SARCOPHAGUS: the fully articulated human skeleton in a velvet-lined coffin chased around on each side with three panels showing the course of life, one end with attributes of the arts, the other with attributes of war,  the removable cover with the journey in the footsteps of the Angel of Death, surrounded by the faces of infants alternately laughing and crying.

Skeleton by Israel Rouchomovsky ca. 1892-1896; sarcophagus by Mozyr and Odessa ca. 1896-1906

fashionsfromhistory:

Polyorama Panoptique

c.1850

France

highvictoriana:

English Etched Gold-Filled Victorian Hair Ornament, late 19th century, forming a crown of mounted elk’s teeth, with inscribed name on back.

victusinveritas:

the-wicked-knight:

Four barreled Indo-Persian flintlock pistol, possibly Indian or Ottoman, 19th century, the four barrels fully decorated in gold damascening with stylised foliate designs, the ivory grip with studded design 22cm.

Pretty.

fuckyeahlalique:

Pendant with Violet Leaves and Fruit. Rene Lalique (1860-1945). Circa 1900. Gold, enamel and opal. Has bar pin at rear to be worn also as a brooch.

objectcuriosity:

Filing Cabinet, Rene Dubois, c.1765, France, pear wood lacquered with green French vernix, oak, pine, gilt bronze, green velvet and green silk lining, Wallace Collection.

ca. 1800-1860’s, [Pennsylvania German Cut-work Valentine; heart and tulip design with German words in red script]

via Cowan’s Auctions

fletchingarrows:

thegiftsoflife:

AN OTTOMAN CALLIGRAPHER’S TOOLS, 19TH CENTURY

Bir Osmanlı Hattat Gereçleri, 19. yy

they are so ornate; i love the care that was given to creating these

(Source: ottoman-empire)

highvictoriana:

19th century tortoiseshell and pearl comb.

(via beautifulcentury)

lifeofthegeminii:

thorinismyboo:

theoddmentemporium:

Tear Catcher

A tear catcher, also called a Tear Bottle is typically an ornamental vase piece, made from blown glass and dyed appropriately to the creator’s taste. There is an attached glass fixture at the opening of the stem that is formed to [the] eye. In ancient Persia, when a sultan returned from battle, he checked his wives’ tear catchers to see who among them had wept in his absence and missed him the most.

Tear Catchers were commonly used during Ancient Roman times, with mourners filling glass bottles with their tears, and placing them in tombs as a symbol of their respect for the deceased. It was also used to show remorse, guilt, love and grief. The women cried during the procession, and the more tears collected in tear bottles meant the deceased was more important. The bottles used during the Roman era were lavishly decorated and measured up to four inches in height. Tear bottles were designed with special seals, which allowed the tears to evaporate. By the time that the tears were assumed to have evaporated, the mourning period was considered over.

In the 19th century during the Victorian era in the British Empire tear bottles made a comeback among the wealthy. These were more elaborate than their Roman predecessors, and were often decorated with silver and pewter.

[Image: Silver Victorian tear catcher]

LACHRYMATORIES ARE SO COOL

obsessed 

(via so-comes-snow-after-fire)

ancientpeoples:

Dress pin

1550-1050 BC

Late Cypriot 

(Source: The British Museum)

(via sic-of-elephants)