Cary Grant at the Hollywood Brown Derby

Cary Grant at the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant
Cary Grant at the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant

Cary Grant was one of a galaxy of movie stars that could be spotted dining at the legendary Hollywood Brown Derby restaurannt on Vine Street. Pictured above sometime during the golden era of Hollywood and the Studio system Cary is enjoying his food from one the willow pattern plates that reminded the diners of home. Cary is also examining the wooden cigarette box made in the shape of a derby hat that was placed on each dining table.

Lady Edith’s Chinese Horse Statues

Chinese Pottery Horses in Lady Edith's London apartment
Chinese Pottery Horses in Lady Edith's London apartment

When Lady Edith brings Bertie Pelham back to her London flat in season 6 of Downton Abbey we could not help noticing a pair of large green Chinese tang pottery horses above the bookshelves.
There are some very similar chinese horse statues on eBay currently. large tang horse Click picture to see it on eBay

Lady Mary: Crystal Perfume Bottle

Crystal glass perfume bottle on Lady Mary Crawley's dressing table
Crystal glass perfume bottle on Lady Mary Crawley's dressing table

I notice a pretty crystal glass perfume decanter bottle on Lady Mary Crawley's dressing table.  I see a range of similar crystal glass perfume bottles on eBay Click HERE for a selection.

So what fragrances might someone like Lady Mary have worn? In her decanter she may have kept natural floral essential oil based toilet waters. 1912, the year in which the Downton Abbey sereies begins, was the year the fragrance L'Heure Bleue or 'the blue hour' was created by Jacques Guerlain. From the House of Caron in Paris came “N’Aimez que Moi” in 1916, and “Tabac Blond” in 1919, 1920 perfumes include Chanel No. 5 which was launched in 1921 and would have been familiar to somebody like Lady Mary Crawley.  Guerlain’s Shalimar, was launched in 1925 and became one of the most popular fragrances of all time. Guerlain’s Shalimar was named after the Gardens of Shalimar in Lahore, Pakistan, which were built for Mumtaz Mahal, the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built.

Downton Abbey: Mrs Hughes Willow Basket

mrshughesbasket

Mrs Hughes accompanied by Mr Carson walks to the home farm to collect produce for Downton Abbey. She carries a classic traditional hand woven willow basket. Here are a couple of similar willow baskets.

Classic Willow Vegetable Basket
Classic Willow Vegetable Basket

This rustic basket is similar to Mrs Hughes basket at an affordable price on eBay Click HERE to view
And here is a similar one from Amazon:

Willow Basket on Amazon - click picture for details
Willow Basket on Amazon - click picture for details

The Dowager’s Papier Mache Table

PAPIER MACHE TABLE
Lady Violet Dowager Countess of Grantham played by Dame Maggie Smith, sits by her Victorian Papier Mache Table on the set of Downton Abbey. Antique tilt-top papier mache tables with mother of pearl inlay are collectors items and make for an interesting conversation piece in your drawing room. An elaborate example pictured above right can be seen on eBay this week (Click Here to view).
dowager-table