24 January 2013

a different drum

.
 .
Following the drum, a nation's call to arms led by- oft times a child-answered by women following their men.
It's no wonder women wanted to wear a man's regimentals.









in 1982



Drummer "boy" straps, brass buttons, capes and what all- run through fashion's timeline-just as war runs through History's. Great military details gave women's clothing much needed panache-stepping away from the frills and fripperies that would smother any mistress. There was WAR to be fought-multiples- in each and every century & the military mode of dress for women moved along with the times.
Queens dressed to rally and hail her armies.



painted by Vigilius Eriksen, 1762.





This Reynolds portrait was first seen at the Royal Academy's Somerset House in 1780. The costume- adapted from military uniform-specifically the Lady's husband-Sir Richard Worsley's Hampshire Militia uniform-became the fashion during England's war with the colonies.



Sir Joshua Reynolds portrait of Lady Worsley, 1776


Who knows when someone got the wild idea to set a drum on its ear-and make it a smart looking table? No doubt there is a history.
I imagine some war weary soldier- a Captain perhaps- stretching out his limbs one evening-looking about for a hassock-and finding only a drum.
A Star is Born...







 Belgian Side Drum,1850- 1900.





tables at 1st dibs






Chairs from 1st Dibs in the Beaton style &
below a Child's version attributed to Beaton at Tod Donobedian





Beaton's Bedroom and his gang of artists-standing around one of his drum tables with a little drummer lass.




Not to be out done in the bedroom-Beaton used drums as end tables in his Studio. It's a room that is as viable today as any within the pages of World of Interiors.




How spiffing is this etsy piece from Artisanworks Inc.? Vintage 1920-30's Ludwig snare drum on custom steambent Art Nouveau style stand. HERE







Queen Louise of Prussia in her Hussar inspired riding habit,
 painted by Friedrich Wilhelm Ternite, in 1809, and again in 1810.







Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatina in the uniforms of their respective regiments, 
the Voznesenskiye Ulahns and the Elisavetgradsky Hussars, July 13th, 1913.







Following the drum, always a hearing a different drummer, with his mind on war, Rex Whistler painted the young Laura Ridley in the regimentals of the Northumberland Hussars, 1940.


from the book, In Search of Rex Whistler




Anatole Demidoff, age 7,  portrait by Robert Lefevre,1820.



Military dress has returned-seen everywhere-couture, fashion in the street-and worn best so & often by French Vogue's editor Emmanuelle Alt. I've got a sense she sees it quite literally as her modern uniform-with skinny oh so skinny jeans in black or white.




I've my own cape that I grab to wear when the weather is cold. I love the military lines-and I've always-always heard the beat of a different drum-
and usually I follow.




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9 comments:

  1. And where in the heck (after my appetite is so whetted I am drooling all over my laptop!) is a photo of your cape?? You can't DO that too us!

    (the vest obviously vintage and metallic heavy embroidery! That is a fashion genius, if ever I have seen one!) Sheesh! Over a white shirt; sleeves rolled up!

    How do we thank you???

    PEnelope

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Penelope-sorry about that--I wrote about it before and though I did subtly link it in the text at the end here is the link to my cape-Not gold embroidery though!http://littleaugury.blogspot.com/2009/11/having-dress-up-moment-iv.html
      thanks, PGT

      Delete
  2. Penelope-sorry about that--I wrote about it before and though I did subtly link it in the text at the end here is the link to my cape-Not gold embroidery though!http://littleaugury.blogspot.com/2009/11/having-dress-up-moment-iv.html
    thanks, PGT

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can see Roger Taylor with those chairs! Please tell me he has some like them...

    The Eriksen painting of Catherine the Great is fascinating. Thoroughly wonderful image.

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  4. Brilliant weave and beat of the drum. SO GOOD! ox

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  5. Wonderful post Gaye & I 'get' marching to a different drum. I've always be drawn to military style. Brass buttons, epaulets, braid, you name it; especially a good cape. A drum table, definitely!

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  6. Gaye, I love the military fashion designs and am thrilled with the Beaton Drum Chair and the Snare Drum Table!

    xoxo
    Karena
    New 2013 Artists Series

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  7. I have searched for 20 years for old drums and I guess the reason I did not find them is because they are all in museums or collections. I do have a replica drum end table, but the chair is wonderful. Love the fashions too. Would a towel pinned around the neck work for a cape? My son approved along with his mighty sword.

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  8. I hope we start seeing a reawakening of regimentals and drum tables now...and if we're very fortunate, drum chairs!
    Wonderful post Gaye, loved Beaton's art escapades and story...and Rex W. painting, very sweet.
    xo J~

    ReplyDelete

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