Wednesday, January 19, 2011

VTT - Early 20th Century Style Exotic Girls



The postcard above and the burnt wood (pyrography) plaque below are from the early 20th century. Even though the postcard is titled "My Best Girl," they both seem to me to represent an exotic fantasy dream girl more than the girl next door.


size 11-1/2" diameter

This plaque is marked FLEMISH 853 ART on the back. Flemish Art was the largest and best-known manufacturer of pyrography products. This plaque would have been sold with the design stamped on the wood and would have been burned by a hobbyist following the stamped design. There are two red glass jewels glued to the crown. "Brilliant glass jewels" were said to add lustre and give a luxurious finish to pyrographic designs.

I used to think the Flemish Art numbers referred to the design. However, in an old burnt wood supplies catalog, the 853 refers to all the 12" plaques, not to a specific design. The 12" plaques were priced at $0.25 each or $3.00 per dozen. Jewels in the size used here were priced at 50¢ per hundred.

I'm participating in Vintage Thingie Thursday

17 comments:

  1. Two classically pretty ladies. Happy VTT!

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  2. Wow what elegant postcards.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

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  3. OOOOhh I love those girls, would fit right in with my altered art.

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  4. Very interesting about the pyrography. These are so pretty. Happy VTT!

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  5. This is great vintage work. Both are very pretty.

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  6. I have and collect postcards, but have never seen these? thanks for sharing!

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  7. Beautiful postcard and plaque of two lovely young ladies. I agree with you probably more exotic than the girl next door.

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  8. Wonderful images and thanks so much for the background info and history on them!

    Happy VTT,
    Sally

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  9. They are both lovely. I'll take a dozen.

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  10. Two unique pieces. Thanks for the share.
    Ann

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  11. Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. And you're right, the vintage patterns were the best find.

    P.S. I love these beautiful vintage ladies. Lovely!

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  12. These are really unusual. Very nice. Happy VTT!

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  13. Very beautiful pictures. Is it just me, or does the lady on the pyrograph resemble a young Princess Diana? What an interesting coincidence that she is wearing a crown!

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