1. "Shopping at Tilden-Thurber"
Posted by harry on Dec-3rd-02 at 9:54 PM

Lizzie was accused of acquiring a pair of porcelain figurines titled "Love's Awakening" and "Love's Dream".

I have searched the web but have not been able to locate a photo of either.  Has anyone seen a photo or know the size of them?

According to Frank Spiering, one was large and one was small and the one that got broke and returned for repair was the larger of the two.  It was about fourteen inches long and oval in shape with a gilt frame.  I found this, Love's Awakening, don't know if could be the original or not, can't post the pic, you must go to the site to view it.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/cornucopia/item/PO-107

(Message last edited Dec-4th-02  2:57 AM.)

That is pretty cute, but not cute enough to steal.
I wonder what her problem was? Just a complex person?
Just a nut?

Thanks much Susan for the info.  Forgot to check the books for a description.  I did see that picture at that URL but it mentions the year 1920 so I passed on it.  That looks like the fan that Dr. Dolan used at the trial. 

I wonder if Lizzie used one of those big handbags like was used by Liz Montgomery to heist the hatchet in the movie. 

Spiering says that Lizzie asked to see a vase at Tilden-Thurber that the saleslady had to go to the back of the shop to get.  Lizzie was alone on the floor the whole time she was gone and was wearing a big fur coat.  When she returned with the vase Lizzie said it just wouldn't do and left the store.  Thats when the saleslady noticed that 2 porcelain paintings were missing.

I just emailed the shopowner about the 1920s postcard to see if there was an artist's name or some sort of copyright on the art to get an idea if indeed this was an 1890s original piece of art that was re-issued as a postcard later on.  Its possible.  Its just gaudy enough to be late Victorian art.  Personally I thought it was a bit much. 

Ooo!  Just found this, its definitely from the 1890s, Love's Dream!!!  If the pic doesn't post, I'll include the url.  This is fun, its like a treasure hunt!


Heres the link:

http://bizbb.com/WorldArtMedalsandPrints/offer/994/

(Message last edited Dec-4th-02  11:52 AM.)

That's a good find, Susan!  I didn't think anyone would find anything on this topic.

If that's a steel engraving, then it is similiar to the picture above Andrew's sofa, in it's execution.  (puns always intended)

It doesn't look like any relationship to Love's Awakening (prior post).  Since the titles seem paired and the Porcelin Pictures seem a pair, then a pair with similiar theme, same artist, would be a good clue as to whether it was the set Harry's looking for.
I don't need to tell an artist this so I guess I'll shut up and wait and see what comes up next.

BTW:  How would a steel engraving be transferred to porcelin?

According to the information given, Love's Dream was originally a painting by Jane M. Bowkett and was later engraved by Illman Brothers.  It is 10 1/4" tall by 7 1/4" wide, which made me think that it may have been the smaller of the porcelain paintings.

The original painting would have been made into a decal first and then applied to the porcelain plate or, it may have been hand-painted by the artist, which would be laborious.  I know when I think decal I think plastic thing that you stick on something, but, apparently decals have been used on china and porcelain for quite some time!

According to Spiering, and you know the problems we have with the authors, one was a big porcelain painting, the other small.  So, they may not have been by the same artist, but, were grouped by the name.  Nobody seems to have much info on them.

I got a reply back on Love's Awakening, there is no artist's name on the postcard or copyright date.  All that is printed on the card is: POSTAL LIBRARY BUREAU, MILWAUKEE, WIS. as well as the title; Love's Awakening.  So, later today I will see if I can find out anything about them.  Th-Th-Th-Th-Thats all, folks.   

All Right Susan!  Good detective work.

Yes, it doesn't say they were a set or done by the same artist. They may have just had similar names.

A normal size piece of paper is 8-1/2 x 11" which gives some idea visually of it's size.  That should be able to be fitted under a bulky fur coat easily. 

Two at once may present a little bit of a challenge. Can't have them clanking against each other as you nonchanantly stroll out the store. 


(Edit) As for Spiering, he repeats another Lizzie myth, the one of her signing a confession to the murders so she wouldn't be prosecuted for the theft of the paintings.  Radin debunked that one in his book.  Spiering devotes several pages to the confessing part and about a half paragraph relating Radin's findings.  Gotta sell those books.

(Message last edited Dec-5th-02  1:26 PM.)

Couldn't find anything out about the Postal Library Bureau.  Found out Jane Bowkett's middle name is Maria, found this blurb about her at this link.

http://www.artwrite.cofa.unsw.edu.au/0020/2020_pages/Rachel_Arndt.html

I guess I'll have to keep on digging.  Thanks, Harry.