Tea at Trianon: Curiosities, Ink

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Curiosities, Ink

An interview with an innovative young shopkeeper, Katherine Crum. From Chartreuse and Company:

At the top of the stairs, just to your left (make a U-turn), you’ll find tucked under the eaves a quietly evocative shop, Curiosities, Ink. Created and owned by Katherine Crum, this moody, romantic niche blends a passion for ancient history, mythology, and the written word into a fascinating collection of jewelry, books, and objects.

Here’s a little of what Katherine has to say about her venture:

Chartreuse & co: So, Katherine, who, or what, inspired you most as you developed your style?

Katherine Crum: Stories, largely, I suppose. When I was a child, my mother used to read to my sister and me before bed every night — Greek mythologies, the Narnia series, Arthurian legends, the Prydain novels — anything to stimulate a young mind. Nightly conjuring up these worlds of enchantment, of rich color and verve, the world bloomed into something far more vast and uncanny and grand than the childish existence that characterized our days. These stories combined with my early immersion in all things design-worthy were the biggest influences on Curiosities, Ink’s style. In a lot of ways, I like to think of Curiosities as the merging of Old World legends with the drape of time — looking backward from the spot we now occupy. I like to think of figures like Morgan le Fey: cloaked in the bulwark of medieval majesty, yet steeped in the ethereal potency of ancient myth. Like the Arthurian figure, bringing together two different moods oftentimes results in one that’s greater than either alone.

Chartreuse & co: Wow! Just listening to that draws so many visual references! We’re seeing your style evolve as you create your shop here at Chartreuse, how would you describe your style?
Katherine Crum: My grandmother has always said that I’m an old soul. I can’t speak to that, but I do love the interplay of time’s striations — characterful, curvatious antique items (the more worn, the better!) breathlessly attended by a sleek, modern piece — but what draws me even more are those things which are ageless: natural elements appeal to me, as do the timeless works of art and literature which set the human race apart. Gnarled branches, gilding, ribbed vaults, aged parchment, and tracery all excite me. Mingle these Gothic elements with sleek marble, metal, glass — elements of modern decor — and reveal spontaneous style and inspiration! I love all things which are crafted by human hands and hearts, particularly those with a reverence for the past and a healthy appetite for the future. My theory is that accessorizing your home is all about setting the stage for the life you wish to lead. Fill it with the things you love, the things that excite you, the things that inspire you, and seize the opportunities that come your way.

Chartreuse & co: We couldn’t agree more with that sentiment! So, this brings us to an obvious question: How did you get into this business?
Katherine Crum: Both my mother and my grandmother, before her, were in the home decor business. I grew up in and around antique stores, exploring the exquisite remains of the past: picturing the other fingers that had touched them, the other places they had seen, the voices they had heard, the epochs they had witnessed. For me, the curiosities of each and every object spoke loudly and naturally in wonder, echoed from my mother and grandmother. Since the time I was old enough, I’ve worked alongside my mother, learning from her about this business, until at last the time was right to jump in, myself, and bring Curiosities to you. (Read more.)