Archive · Cinema · Books · Monarchies · Society
📌 For the youngest alchemists of the channel: three magical alphabets 📌 In the Parnassian Mockingbird rubric: a review of Guillermo del Toro's new “Frankenstein” 📌 I tell the story of the recovered jewels of the Habsburg dynasty 📌 In half a century California has built 22 prisons and 1 university; we
NB! · Archive · Monarchies · Society
A pelican feeding its young with its own blood: the emblem of the Department of the Institutions of Empress Maria. That is, Maria Feodorovna, consort of Emperor Paul I. This was the name of the principal department administering charity in the Russian Empire
Aristocracy · Monarchies · Observations · Humour
As Ursula the sea witch used to say, body language, ha!
The East · Monarchies · Observations · Society
Among other things, the British envoy was to persuade China to buy British goods. The Emperor Qianlong's reply was original: “We possess all things. I set no value on objects strange or ingenious, and have no use for your country's manufactures.” On the remaining points, too,
Architecture · Monarchies · Museums · Heritage · Saint Petersburg
The Palace of Monplaisir was built to designs by Peter the Great. Whenever the Emperor came to Peterhof, he would usually stay here, in one of his favourite palaces. The interiors were adorned with Dutch tiles, wood carving, lacquer panels, stucco and painted ceilings. The floors of the galleries and
Monarchies · Museums · Society
Russian and Prussian troops helped the Dutch to free their country from the French, and soon after the events in Amsterdam the Netherlands proclaimed its independence. But the Dutch now react very painfully to statements along the lines of "the Russian army granted the Netherlands its independence", and
Archive · Art · Monarchies · Paris
A glove said to have belonged to Marie Antoinette's son. It was sold at auction in France this year. The lot description stated that, according to its source, it was found in the queen's cell in the Conciergerie after her death, together with her last letter.
Aristocracy · Monarchies · People · Humour
"Teresa Cristina Maria Josefa Gaspar Baltazar Melchiora Januária Rosalía Lucía Francisca de Assis Isabel Francisca de Paula de Alcântara Donata Bonosa Andreia de Avelino Rita Ludgarda Gertrudes Venância Tadea Spiridione Roca Matilde." "Can you make it shorter?" "Teresa Cristina." "Patronymic?" "Princess
Archive · Books · Monarchies
Napoleon, 1806
Art · Monarchies · Heritage · Pop Culture
The diamond brooch, which served as an ornament for a hat, was left behind by Napoleon in his carriage as he retreated from the field of Waterloo in 1815. During the battle the Prussian army seized and confiscated at least two carriages carrying the Emperor's personal effects, including
London · Monarchies · Museums · Observations · Paris
The diamond parure of Marie Antoinette, from the exhibition devoted to her at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is a great pity that I could not attend the exhibition, since I have no English visa, but thanks to a correspondent in England I shall prepare a detailed report all
NB! · Monarchies · Society · Paris · Pop Culture
One of the scandalous dolls of the beheaded Marie Antoinette is up for sale in Paris. The disgrace of the Olympic Games opening ceremony that cannot be forgotten