A Pendleton Rub Down

Here at the Curious Eye we have long been fans of vintage Pendleton shirts, many of which we've purchased from Dave of Ragtop, but it was at Maison et Object that I discovered that the Pendleton Blanket came first. In fact, Pendleton started out weaving blankets for Native Americans and 'The Beach Boys' were originally called 'The Pendletones' . Pendleton have become aware of their popularity with 'style afficionados' and are now launching their homewares on the European market. We love these towels that are copies of traditional blanket designs.
Pendleton homeware

Down on Jollity Farm...

Our South coast Correspondent writes...

"A recent find at my local carboot were these delighful 1950s lead painted figures by Britains Ltd. To some they might look like a load of chipped old toys only fit for the bin, but to me and my hopeless romantic imagination they conjure up all sorts of things....

Rural England between the wars (Kent or maybe Suffolk?), the poetry of Betjeman, the early films of Powell and Pressburger (A Canterbury Tale perhaps?) and the artwork of Ravillious and Bawden.

I also wonder how todays younger generation would react if these were in their Christmas stocking, or given as a birthday gift instead of the latest games console or smart phone. I think we already know the answer to that!"

Words and images by 'The Pride of Bognor' - S & E Sorrell.

A Perfectly Kept House Is The Sign Of A Misspent Life

Today we relaunch our lapsed section ' illustrated book of the week' prompted by the discovery of this exciting tome yesterday, in the Regents street branch of Anthropologie, they alway seem to have a small selection of books that you cannot find elsewhere. This is certainly one after our own hearts. The sub-title is ' How to live creatively with collections, clutter, work, kids, pets,art etc.... and stop worrying about everything being perfectly in it's place.' Author Mary Randolph Carters' only serious omission is not to have included our own curiously cluttered spaces!












Mary Randolph Carter

Enigmatic Masks

I was on my biannual to Paris' Maison et Object trade fair, and as happens quite frequently some of the most inspiring things I saw were outside the enormous halls of the exhibition space, on the northern outskirts of the city. Like these expressively beautiful 18th century Correan Masks at the spectacular Musee Guimet . The museum houses the national collection of Asiatic art, and was renovated in 2001, the combination of exquisite objects, beautiful architecture and sensitive lighting make the museum well worth a visit, especially when it's to escape the dryness of a trade fair.






Musee Guimet

Flag It !

I bought this collection of cardboard flags at the 'grande bradderie de Lille' in September. I was seduced by their curious pop art aesthetic, they are mini pop tableaux in the tradition of warhols' tins of soup and brillo pad boxes. As a little new years quiz see if you can name all 11 counties, to help you out the are all European or close neighbors (answers at the bottom of this post.

countries from top to bottom, UK, France, Turkey, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Austria,Greece, Ireland, Denmark

Tons of Tins

Our new roving reporter, Steve Sorrell, just sent us this delightful collection of receptacles. He tells us the story...

"It all started with a text message on a damp gloomy afternoon. A house clearance friend of ours was having a bit of a clear out and wondered if we would be interested in buying a few bits and pieces?

On past experience we knew that he'd have one or two interesting things so the following day we hot footed it over to his house. The first thing he produced was two rather large cardboard boxes of old tins; they looked promising, so we bought them without really bothering to inspect the contents. It wasn't until we arrived home and started to unpack them that we realised just how wonderful they all were.

Each one is a minor work of art. The type, the artwork and the colours are just beautiful. Who could resist the charms of Zig Zag polish or Boots chest and lung wafers? And as for Dilly Duckling cough pastilles, well...............

Steve and Edele's little collection of tin treasures will be available to purchase for your very own from this Thursday at Spitalfields Antique Market. Hurry! Before Dilly Duckling sells out!

Museum of Everything

On Thursday 23^rd December, The Curious Eye interrupted our Christmas preparations to visit The Museum of Everything’s 3^rd exhibition, with the knowledge that it was to close the next day. The visit was a mix of emotions, thrilling and exciting to see the fabulous collection of granddaddy of brit art Peter Blake , but there was also a twinge of sadness as it was too late to pass on news of this gem. We knew our fans would LOVE this show.

Today however we discovered due to public demand the show has been extended for 5 weeks from the 5^th of Jan. We suggest you all make the pilgrimage ASAP !

http://www.museumofeverything.com