More Art

We've found some more shockingly good art for you. First, an inspired painting that must be a copy of part of a larger Renaissance work. Its nicely done, on board. I like that it's not trying to fake you-- it's just a copy someone had fun making.


Nest up, a paint-by-numbers barn which feels entirely too painterly to be paint by numbers. So, for $15, you'll walk away with a charming watercolor. It almost fooled Kate, and she used to run an art gallery! (For more info on paint-by-numbers popularity and history, try reading part of Karal Ann Marling's chapter posted here.) [UPDATE: sold!]

Oh, everybody loves a baby.

A really very good chromo-litho, on linen, in its original matting. You aren't familiar with chromolithography, the first truly new form of printing introduced after movable type? Explore it here, at U of Delaware's online exhibit.

These are close-ups of 2 of 3 very interesting collages-- each is made of nineteenth-century engravings, artfully arranged and framed. A wonderful collection. Many images focus on Scotland.

Finally, we offer you this serene angel engraving.

Too, too busy searching out (and cramming in) treasures in Memphis to post in detail-- so the next few posts will catalog some of the recent finds-- The store is packed with amazing stuff- I'd say we have our best mix yet up there right now!

Today's post will focus only on things that are very, very cute. And also a mange remedy.

1920s doll torsos and a lovely pair of legs....

Lady lamp, baby print, and wonderful , old plaster bookends of children.

Lovebirds planter with golden feathers

Little lamb planter

A large wallpaper box, a pair of rusted skates.

Imperial Mange Remedy for Dogs, Horses, and cattle. Only 50 cents a bottle.

Vintage Ventriloquism

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Originally uploaded by undream

Admire this tremendous Flicker set of Vintage Dummy Photographs.

The set is 4 pages long, with hundreds of photos, and it's well worth a few minutes.

[UPDATE- the set seems to go up and down, but here's another link to another set]

The set made me think about how the timetable for the rise in the popularity and technology of photography and of ventriloquism parallel each other. Both share the process of half-representation and both seem magical, perhaps even occult, in interesting ways. Early photos (and films) on dummies are good and rich. (An essay topic brewing here. My freshmen students should watch out...)

Rest assured that Kate and Elise are searching for vintage dummies throughout the region. If one turns up, we'll let you know so you can adopt it. In the meantime, we'll be hungrily imaging like with one via the magic of photography.

Refashioning wind up toys

A lovely little foray into the archives at Z Recommends hooked me into this idea of repurposing a windup-toy to make a drawing robot, courtesy of Finkbuilt (a fantastic blog) courtesy of, etc., all the way back to Zoom.

A little wind-up toy motor works as a power sources to shake a shimmy the pen-legs about the paper. What a wonderful project!

Not for sale at K& E, but well worth noting by those who like the find new life for old things, and for anyone looking for an unusual piece of art for their wall!